'I was a single mum living in a tiny Cheetham Hill flat - now I'm a top boss at BT'

Manchester City are reportedly one of three English sides interested in signing Leeds United ace Wilfried Gnonto in the summer transfer window.

Manchester United will be hoping to join rivals Manchester City in the draw for the semi-final of the FA Cup later today.

A mum who lived an 'extravagant' lifestyle funded by her drug boss boyfriend avoided jail as a judge told her the career criminal had 'ruined her life'. Georgia Harkness, 27, began a relationship with Salford drug dealer Ashley Blackett after they met in prison, while he was serving time and she worked as a prison nurse.

New Order have backed the #LetTheMusicMove campaign against proposed changes to US visa rules that would impact touring artists.Last month saw the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announce that it was planning to raise touring visa fees for foreign acts by more than 250 per cent.The DHS said in its proposal that applications for a P visa, which is for acts arriving in the states to perform temporarily, would increase from the current rate of $460 (£375.23) to $1,615 (£1,317). Meanwhile, the longer-term O work visa would jump from $460 (£375.23) to $1,655 (£1,349).Numerous musicians have since spoken out against the plans, saying that it would be “a huge hardship to pay such high visa fees”.

Empire State Bastard have teased their debut single ‘Harvest’ – listen to a clip below.The band, which is the side project of Biffy Clyro singer and guitarist Simon Neil and Mike Vennart (Biffy Clyro live guitarist, solo artist, and ex-Oceansize frontman), shared the teaser on Instagram today (March 16).In the accompanying caption, they shared that the single would officially be released on March 24, featuring Dave Lombardo (Slayer, Testament, Fantomas) on drums.The band previously shared a first teaser of music in February, before going on to announce a spring tour.Empire State Bastard kick the shows off in Glasgow on March 26 at Cathouse before heading to Manchester’s Rebellion on March 27 and London’s The Underworld on March 28. Tickets for shows are available here.A post shared by Empire State Bastard (@esb666_)Elsewhere, the band have announced that they are set to appear at French metal festival Hellfest alongside Kiss, Mötley Crüe, Iron Maiden and Slipknot in Clisson from June 15-18.

Barcelona manager Xavi has already spoken to Ilkay Gundogan as he attempts to lure the Manchester City midfielder to the Nou Camp, according to reports in Spain.

Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, and Gillian Gilbert of New Order spoke today (March 15) at this year’s SXSW and discussed becoming musicians, the evolution of their sound and growing up in Manchester.The trio were keynote speakers at the annual tech and marketing festival, in conversation with Will Hodgkinson, rock and pop critic of The Times. Andy Burnham, Mayor of Manchester, introduced the keynote, calling New Order “the ultimate Manchester band” before adding that it was “a big statement”.The band kicked off their chat by discussing how they weren’t necessarily “anti-musicians” but they were “anti-success”, with Sumner pointing to growing up working class before “punk came along” giving him the chance to express himself, without being a virtuoso. “I didn’t want to be famous, I didn’t care about that at all.

They Might Be Giants have announced a new string of UK tour dates – playing their fan favourite ‘Flood’ in full. Check out full dates and ticket details below.The UK shows come as a newly-added extension to the band’s ongoing Evening With tour, which is currently taking place across the United States.

Eloise has shared a new single ‘Therapist’ and announced a UK and European tour for June – see details below and buy tickets here.The London-based singer-songwriter is set to unveil her long-awaited debut album ‘Drunk On A Flight’ on April 14 via AWAL, and is previewing it with an upbeat soul-pop track.“Ending a long-term relationship at 23, you feel such a loss of time and adolescence and that can make you so frustrated,” she explained of inspiration behind the track. “What have I learned from all of this? And what am I stuck with at the end of all of this? My songwriting has always been honest, but this feels raw – like I’m exploring all the shades of emotion.”Watch the video for ‘Therapist’ and see Eloise’s 2023 tour dates below.

Jack Grealish led the praise from Manchester City players for their 'absolute ball magnet' Erling Haaland after his five goals against RB Leipzig.

Sofia Kourtesis has shared a new single – listen to the openhearted and upbeat ‘Madres’ below.The track marks the Peruvian artist’s first new music of 2023, following the release of her Manu Chao collaboration ‘Estación Esperanza’ in January last year.“This song is about my mother, her mother, my sisters who are mothers, my brothers who are mothers, and all the LGBTQIA+ members who are mothers to their communities,” says Kourtesis. “Madres has no gender.

Trafford council appears to have back-tracked on its plan to ‘dispose’ of Altrincham Town Hall following a tide of local protest. A move to sell a 25-year-lease on the historic building to a childcare company has been ditched with community groups now invited to tender alternative bids.

Police have issued a picture of a man they want to talk to after an electric bike was reportedly stolen from a main road in Manchester.

Kevin De Bruyne played down any concerns over his form by pointing out his exceptional record this season in the Premier League.

Armed police swooped on a cul-de-sac after a man was 'hit over the head with a bottle of Grey Goose vodka'. A 48-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of GBH following the incident in Heywood on Saturday morning.

Andy Cole has insisted he is not bothered if Manchester City striker Erling Haaland breaks his record for the number of goals scored in a single Premier League campaign.

Manchester City will continue their Premier League title charge against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon and three pundits are predicting a routine win for Pep Guardiola and his star-studded team.

A man sparked a huge emergency services response after scaling scaffolding at Trafford Town Hall. Scott Wright, 33, caused a four-hour road closure on December 29 last year.

NME Award-winning BERWYN has released new single ‘Bulletproof’ ahead of his nine-day European tour.The Trinidadian-born, Romford-raised musician has launched his first musical release since his 2022 comeback single ‘Path To Satisfaction’ and the double release ‘3450 / Chasing Lights (demo)’.BERWYN continues the reflective streak in his music, shifting his focus in the process after a “genuinely enlightening trip” to his home of Trinidad reigniting deep-rooted emotions.•READ MORE: BERWYN: Romford underdog’s soul-baring rap is helping those in need“‘Bulletproof’ is less about me and more about the people around me,” he said. “It’s another part of my personality: I’m willing to do anything for the people around me.”He continued: “It also highlights the dangers of my job and exposes me as an individual with troubles.

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom has explained his thinking behind benching Tommy Doyle after the Manchester City loanee was dropped for the recent games at Blackburn and Reading.