Hotels for The Darkness - Bands of Brothers Arena Tour

Glam rock theatrics meet arena-sized riffs for a night built on falsetto vocals, spandex and pyrotechnics that don't apologise for any of it. Friday crowds tend to skew towards long-time fans who grew up on the band's early singles alongside a younger contingent discovering the back catalogue through streaming.

Expect a set heavy on singalongs and stagecraft, with the kind of showmanship that leans into the absurd rather than away from it. A December date adds a festive, end-of-week energy to the whole affair.

A long-established fixture of Manchester's live scene, the AO Arena sits right in the city centre beside Victoria station, hosting arena tours, comedy and sport throughout the year. Its central location puts the Northern Quarter's bars, restaurants and late-night spots within an easy walk. Victoria station's trains and Metrolink trams are on the doorstep, with Piccadilly a short distance away. Staying centrally means you can stroll to the show and back, making the most of the city's nightlife once the gig ends.