American music legend Ne-Yo headed out to some of Manchester’s top restaurants and bars – before sampling his first ever “soccer” game and what a match he got
As if the small matter of entertaining thousands of fans with his two huge sold out gigs in Manchester at the weekend was not keeping him busy enough, music superstar Ne-Yo also made time to fully enjoy his stay in the city. The American hitmaker played two gigs at Co-op Live alongside Akon on Friday and Saturday night.
And he made a full weekend of it in Manchester, enjoying the real Champagne Life with lunches and dinners out at some of the city’s swankiest bars and restaurants. He was spotted out at both Australasia on Spinningfields and its neighbouring venue, cocktail bar Ocasa.
It sounds like he enjoyed his food in the city, for Australasia shared a video of the star saying how “absolutely amazing” he found the food at the newly relaunched venue after sampling its new signature dish of short-rib beef. He was pictured beaming alongside staff, wearing a bright yellow tracksuit and matching head scarf.
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In the video he said: “What’s going on everybody it’s Ne-Yo, listen, I had an absolutely amazing experience here, the food was phenomenal.” He added: “Ok every single dish absoultely amazing I absolutely recommend”, before signing off “Pull up ok, pull up.”
It was not only Manchester’s nightlife he got to sample, though. For he also got to enjoy his first ever “soccer” game – and he certainly picked a good one to start.
For Ne-Yo headed to watch Manchester United beat Liverpool in spectacular 3-2 style at Old Trafford on Sunday. Ne-Yo posted a video of his time at Old Trafford, sharing his excitement about the game with his 4.9million followers on Instagram.
In the video, he said: “Manchester United. This is arguably my first soccer, well sorry, my first football game,” swiftly correcting his American reference to the Beautiful Game.
He continued: “I’ve been to one before but it was very much a situation where we went in, met some people and then left so I didn’t really get to enjoy the game. So yeah, I’m here today to go and enjoy a lovely game of football.”
His video showed the wild celebrations of fans at the match, as well as a host of fans clamouring for photos with the star after the game. One United fan was seen asking “when are you doing a song with 50 Cent again?” to which Ne Yo replied: “Good question, you gotta call 50 and ask him!”
The video ends with Ne-Yo presented with a special Manchester United shirt with his name and the squad number 24.
Holding the shirt aloft he says: “Wow man, no greater honour, it’s the closest I’ll ever come to doing this,” he laughed gesturing at the pitch.
Chart-topping star Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer Chimere Smith, is known for his global smash hits like Miss Independent, Closer and Stay. He is in the midst of his massive co-headlining world tour with Akon, called Nights Like This.
They return to Manchester for their third and final city gig on Wednesday to Co-op Live. And it sounds like there are plans for more nights out after that.
For both Yours bar on Deansgate and Australasia are set to play host to the stars for after-parties following their huge gig on Wednesday.
It will be double the celebration for Australasia – as Wednesday sees the venue toast its 15th anniversary on the city scene as well.
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