Blossoms | Hard-Fi | Jake Bugg | Circa Waves | Liam Fray
O2 Apollo, Manchester
3rd November 2025
Radio X Is Ten, Live with Škoda brought the popular station’s milestone 10th anniversary celebrations to Manchester, with a star-studded Manchester gig and an unforgettable night of live rock and indie music at the iconic O2 Apollo Manchester.
The sold-out show featured stellar performances from Blossoms, Hard-Fi, Jake Bugg and Circa Waves, with a special surprise acoustic set from Courteeners frontman and Manchester legend Liam Fray. Taking place in a city celebrated for its unparalleled impact on British music, Radio X Is Ten, Live with Škoda paid homage to Manchester’s proud musical heritage, from Oasis and The Stone Roses to The Smiths and Joy Division, and the loyal listeners who have been part of Radio X’s journey over the past decade.
Radio X is home to huge indie and rock tunes and big personalities, reaching 2.4 million listeners every week. Radio X presenters include Chris Moyles (bum, willy, bum), Johnny Vaughan, Issy Panayis, Danny Wallace, John Kennedy, Polly James, Toby Tarrant, Ed Gamble, Matthew Crosby, Dan O’Connell, Adam Brown (he’s a beeaarrr) Rich Wolfenden and Elspeth Pierce.
The evening kicked off with Radio X’s own presenter Sunta Templeton, who certainly got the crowd in the mood with a bangin’ DJ set packed with indie anthems. Definitely the perfect warm-up for the live acts to follow.
Fresh from Liverpool, Circa Waves brought the energy and opened the live performances after an introduction from Radio X presenter Issy Panayis. Kieran Shudall and co. launched straight into Do You Wanna Talk, sparking an energetic start that had the Manchester crowd moving. One lucky fan grabbing a drumstick the band hurled into the crowd at the end of the set. The band, also celebrating ten years together, treated fans to their recent single and former Radio X Record of the Week, Old Balloons, before rounding off their lively set with the 2015 classic T-Shirt Weather. It might not have been T-shirt weather outside, but inside the packed Apollo, it was a different story and smoking hot. Circa Waves setlist: Do You Wanna Talk, Old Balloons, Carry You Home, T-Shirt Weather.
Next up, and introduced by charismatic and dynamic duo Chris Moyles and Dominic Byrne, was Jake Bugg, who took the audience on a journey through his remarkable ten-year career and decade of hits. Opening with Trouble Town, the 2012 single that became the theme for Happy Valley. Bugg followed with an emotive rendition of his 2024 track Zombieland.
Fans were treated to favourites including Two Fingers and Oblivious, before Bugg closed his stripped-back yet powerful set with an electrifying performance of Lightning Bolt.
Jake Bugg setlist: Trouble Town, Zombieland, Two Fingers, Oblivious, Lightning Bolt
While Radio X was celebrating ten years on the air, Hard-Fi were marking two decades since their game-changing debut album, Stars of CCTV. Introduced by Radio X DJ Dan O’Connell, Richard Archer and co. hit the stage with the indie floor-filler Hard to Beat, thrilling the crowd with a set that blended nostalgia and fresh energy. “Manchester’s always been great to us,” said Archer, recalling that the band’s first-ever gig took place in the city back in 2003. The set climaxed with Living for the Weekend, as chants of “Going out tonight!” filled the Apollo. Hard-Fi setlist: Hard to Beat, Cash Machine, Don’t Go Making Plans, Suburban Knights, Living for the Weekend. Talented and witty Toby Tarrant had the task of presenting the £1000 prize draw for one lucky winner.
No birthday bash is complete without a surprise, and Johnny Vaughan delivered it in perfect style, with a touch of stand-up comedy thrown while ribbing a heckling and impatient audience member. The crowd erupted as Liam Fray appeared unannounced for an intimate acoustic set. The Courteeners frontman Liam Fray was greeted with deafening chants of “Liam! Liam!” before launching into How Come and No You Didn’t, No You Don’t. He also performed Pink Cactus Café, the title track from Courteeners’ 2024 album, paying tribute to Blossoms’ Charlie Salt, who played on the record. Closing with Not Nineteen Forever, Fray turned the Apollo into one massive euphoric sing-along. “It’s such an honour to be here,” he told the crowd, and the feeling was mutual. Liam Fray setlist: How Come, No You Didn’t, No You Don’t, Pink Cactus Café, Not Nineteen Forever.
After Fray’s surprise appearance, Blossoms bring it all home beautifully; they took to the stage for a triumphant headline performance. Introduced by Radio X presenter Adam Brown, the Stockport five-piece opened with Your Girlfriend and delivered a hit-packed set that showcased their evolution over the past decade. Tracks like Honey Sweet, I Can’t Stand It, and There’s a Reason Why (I Never Returned Your Calls) proved why Blossoms have become modern indie-pop masters, while The Honeymoon showed their emotional depth. Their breakout hit Charlemagne brought a wave of euphoria through the crowd.
As the night drew to a close, the band performed their fan favourite Gary, complete with the return of the eight-foot fibreglass gorilla that inspired the song. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable evening. Blossoms setlist: Your Girlfriend, Perfect Me, Oh No (I Think I’m in Love), I Can’t Stand It, The Honeymoon, Honey Sweet, If You Think This Is Real Life, I Like Your Look, There’s a Reason Why (I Never Returned Your Calls), Charlemagne, Gary.
It was an absolute joy as ever listening to the brilliant Chris Moyles show the following morning, with the gang all buzzing, teasing each other on the various levels of inebriation, who they lost, guessing whether Toby would make it in for his show, and just re-living the highlights. All having a well-deserved night of fun and frolics, making time to chat to a few listeners too. Apparently also spotting Rick Astley in the bar, with him being great mates with Blossoms. This was such an incredible night to celebrate 10 years of the amazing Radio X with some of the listeners in Manchester, surrounded by some of the UK’s best live acts, which was truly special. Liam Fray’s surprise appearance topped off a night that perfectly captured everything Radio X stands for: great music, fantastic presenters and teams, unforgettable moments and a true sense of community.
From Circa Waves’ energetic opener to Blossoms’ euphoric finale and Liam Fray’s surprise set in between, Radio X Is Ten Live with Škoda was a night that perfectly celebrated ten years of indie spirit and unforgettable music.
Well done, congratulations and Happy Birthday Radio X!
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Radio X is owned by Global and is available on 104.9 FM in London, 97.7 FM in Manchester, on DAB digital radio, at radiox.co.uk and on Global Player, the official Radio X app.
Catch up with all the highlights from Radio X is Ten Live with Škoda on Radio X and Global Player, the official Radio X app
All words by Claire Glover. More writing by Claire on Louder Than War can be found at her author profile here. You can also find her on Bluesky and Twitter
Photos provided by Radio X by Matt Crossick
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