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No matter whether you’re a foot tapper, headbanger or prone to throwing shapes with reckless abandon, 2023 is set to serve up a venerable smorgasbord of concerts that will send music fans up and down the country into a frenzy!
From pop and style icons like Madonna to the best selling rapper of all time Eminem, the rumour mill has been churning with postulations about which artists might be on their way to grace a stage somewhere near you soon.
As we approach the middle of January already, here’s the concerts and artists we’re most excited about for the year ahead.
BEYONCÉ
Ever since the surprise announcement at the Met Gala in New York, The Beyhive has been buzzing with rumours of an impending world tour.
She last played in stadiums across the UK during her most recent tour with Jay-Z in 2018, also headlining Coachella. So, after a long break from touring fans are eager to see her live, awaiting the official announcement to see the ‘Queen Bey’ herself perform live in concert.
As one of the most significant artists of the 21st century, Beyoncé has already long cemented her status as a pop icon and with that announcement expected anytime soon, fans around the world will have to hang on tenterhooks just that little longer! Safe to say though that when concert dates finally drop, tickets will be some of the hottest in town.
TAYLOR SWIFT
The eleven-time Grammy Award winner Taylor Swift will commence a stadium tour of the United States in 2023, offering her loyal ‘Swifty’ fanbase a chance to see her perform live in concert. This is a highly anticipated tour which prompted months’ worth of persistent speculation, with new stories circulating daily.
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Swift hasn’t been able to perform live since 2018 and her 5-year hiatus makes this tour all the more special. The Eras Tour aims to make up for it by including songs from all her albums, including her most recent, Midnights.
On January 12th, 2023, Swift made a surprise cameo during The 1975’s concert in London which sent fans across the world into hysteria and almost caused a social media meltdown! Her performance proved an instant hit with fans, with loyal Swifties clamouring for news of European tour dates.
After this shock show in London, surely it can’t be long for an announcement is made!? We’re as excited as you are about The Eras Tour and can’t wait to hear for further updates.
MADONNA
‘The Queen of Pop’ celebrates 40 years since the release of her iconic eponymous 1st album and 2023 could be the year we see this pop and style icon back on stage.
Known for incredible live performances, controversial wardrobe choices and array of hits which include Like a Virgin, Holiday and Get into The Groove, what better way to celebrate 40 years of musical success than with a bumper world tour!?
Well, if you believe what you read in the papers Madonna is secretly planning exactly that and fans in the UK will be able to witness her live on stage for the first time since 2015. It’s rare a star of this enduring popularity performs on tour but when she does, expect Madonna to deliver an unforgettable show.
EMINEM
The ‘Real Slim Shady’ otherwise known as Eminem has not toured the UK since 2018 and ever since his scintillating performance with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar at the 2022 NFL Super Bowl, hip hoppers around the world have been hankering for news of a 2023 concert.
So far there is little news from the Marshall Mathers camp, but there is no smoke without fire and the Detroit based MC is set to make an announcement early in 2023 regarding any concerts for the year ahead.
What’s for sure though is that with his extensive back catalogue of hits, unforgettable stage presence and a roster of celebrity rap friends that reads like the who’s who of hip hop, any announcement of Eminem concerts will send rap afficionados into a tailspin.
RIHANNA
Star of ‘Work’, ‘Diamonds’ and ‘Umbrella’ fame Rihanna has not toured live since 2016 but her impending live performance at February’s NFL Super Bowl in Glendale, Arizona will be her first in 7 years.
A global tour normally follows a Super Bowl performance and the news of this appearance spread like wildfire through social media. Her loyal band of supporters known as ‘The Navy’, will be thrilled with this news and fans in the UK will hopefully not have too long to wait.
Her last performance on these shores came at the Rize Festival in 2016 and with a big stadium tour rumoured to be in the plans, fans in the likes of London, Manchester and Birmingham could be seeing Rihanna in 2023.
ALREADY CONFIRMED FOR 2023…
As if the line-up for 2023 wasn’t exciting enough without these rumoured superstar shows, there’s still plenty for music fans to look forward to already this year.
For the rock ‘n’ rollers amongst you, Red Hot Chili Peppers are already confirmed for the UK this year and you will not want to miss their legendary stage energy and string of hits. Bruce Springsteen, Guns n’ Roses and Blink-182 will also rock British stages in 2023 so you’ll have no excuse but to turn it up to 11 this year!
Harry Styles, The Weeknd and Chris Brown have announced huge dates and with the likes of Lewis Capaldi, Lizzo and Sam Smith also playing across UK venues in 2023 there’s plenty for concert fans to be excited for this year! Watch this space for further announcements…