Corinne Bailey Rae will headline the second edition of Billboard U.K. Live, a live music series celebrating artists who shape culture and define sound.
In partnership with Aviva, the presenting partner, Billboard U.K. will bring fans and industry leaders together for a one-night-only event combining live performance and storytelling. The show will take place at Manchester’s Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, on 2 December. Grammy-winning Bailey Rae will perform an intimate set in The Hall and take part in an exclusive Q&A session with Billboard U.K. editor Thomas Smith.
Tickets for the event are free and will be allocated via a ballot. Fans can register before 17 November, 9 a.m. GMT for a chance to win two tickets for themselves and a guest. Successful applicants will be contacted by 19 November, and attendees must be 18 or over.
Throughout her career, Bailey Rae has established herself as a unique voice in British music. Her self-titled 2005 debut LP reached No. 1 on the U.K. Official Albums Chart, producing hits such as Put Your Records On and Like a Star. She won a Grammy in 2012 for Best R&B Performance, and two of her albums, The Sea (2010) and Black Rainbows (2023), received Mercury Prize nominations.
Black Rainbows showcased Bailey Rae’s exploration of Black history after research at the Stony Island Arts Bank archive in Chicago, earning wide acclaim in the U.K. Critics praised her genre-spanning approach, blending rock, electronica, jazz, hardcore punk, and African diaspora influences.
Tom Whiteside, Group Head of Sponsorship at Aviva, said, “We can’t wait to welcome audiences to Aviva Studios for an incredible night with Corinne Bailey Rae, brought to life through our partnership with Billboard U.K. This event is all about celebrating music, creativity, and the unique energy of this amazing venue.”
This show follows the inaugural Billboard U.K. Live, held at The Great Escape festival in Brighton in May, which featured emerging artists such as Daffo, RIP Magic, and Westside Cowboy, alongside headliners English Teacher, the 2024 Mercury Prize winners.
Elizabeth Crisante, Chief Commercial Officer at Billboard U.K., added, “Our collaboration with Aviva reflects a shared vision to create meaningful experiences for artists and their fans across the U.K. Hosting Corinne Bailey Rae at Aviva Studios brings that vision to life, with a globally acclaimed artist performing in one of the country’s most inspiring cultural spaces.”