Our pick of April’s O2 Academy gigs

The sun is finally here! Well, a bit. To celebrate, we’ve picked our favourite O2 Academy gigs to help you spring into April.

Blood Red Shoes will be rocking out in Birmingham on 24 April. The Brighton born duo released their first single, The Perfect Mess, from self-titled fourth studio album in December, but only after fans had found 10 QR codes that had been placed in 10 different cities around the world. Trust us, it was worth the wait.

X Factor winner Matt Cardle brings his loveable vocal talents to Newcastle (6), Liverpool (10), Birmingham (12) and Bournemouth (14) to promote third album, Porcelain. Check out his brilliant rendition of ‘The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face’ at the Miss World ceremony in 2013.

Pint-sized pixie Sophie Ellis-Bextor graces our Academy’s throughout April, stopping by Oxford (8), Bournemouth (13) and Bristol (15). The Murder on the Dancefloor star, famed for her electro pop and disco hits, released fifth studio album, Wanderlust, earlier this year, showing fans she can belt out a decent ballad too.

What’s occurring? Welsh rockers Manic Street Preachers are heading out on a spring tour which sees them playing at Bournemouth (8) and Brixton (11 and 12). Their 11^th studio album last year, Rewind the Film, reached number four in the UK charts, proving these veterans from the valleys have still got it. Catch them previewing tracks from new album Futurology in April.

Don’t forget. With Priority Tickets O2 customers can get tickets to thousands of gigs and events across the UK up to 48 hours before general release. Register for Priority Tickets here.