Corinne Bailey Rae will be the headline artist for the second edition of Billboard U.K. Live — an intimate series showcasing musicians who shape culture and push sonic boundaries. The event is presented in partnership with Aviva and combines performance with conversation for a single, memorable evening.

The show takes place at Aviva Studios (the home of Factory International) in Manchester on December 2, 2025. Bailey Rae will perform a short, personal set in The Hall and participate in an onstage interview with Thomas Smith, editor of Billboard U.K.

Admission is free and allocated by ballot. Fans can register for the ticket lottery at the venue’s website; registration closes on November 17, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. GMT. Successful applicants will be notified by November 19, 2025. Entrants must be 18 or older to attend.

Over her career, Bailey Rae has become one of Britain’s most distinctive voices. Her self-titled debut, released in 2005, reached No. 1 on the U.K. Official Albums Chart and produced enduring singles such as “Put Your Records On” and “Like a Star.” She won a Grammy in 2012 for Best R&B Performance, and her albums The Sea (2010) and Black Rainbows (2023) earned Mercury Prize nominations.

Black Rainbows grew out of the singer-songwriter’s deep research at Chicago’s Stony Island Arts Bank and has been widely praised for its adventurous blending of rock, electronica, jazz and influences from the African diaspora.

“We’re thrilled to welcome audiences to Aviva Studios for an exceptional night with Corinne Bailey Rae,” said Tom Whiteside, Group Head of Sponsorship at Aviva. “Partnering with Billboard U.K. allows us to celebrate music, creativity and the singular atmosphere of this extraordinary venue.”

This Manchester performance follows the inaugural Billboard U.K. Live edition held at The Great Escape festival in Brighton in May 2025, which spotlighted emerging acts including Daffo, RIP Magic and Westside Cowboy, alongside headline performances by English Teacher — the band that took the 2024 Mercury Prize.

“Our partnership with Aviva is about creating meaningful, memorable moments for artists and audiences across the U.K.,” said Elizabeth Crisante, Chief Commercial Officer at Billboard U.K. “Hosting Corinne Bailey Rae at Aviva Studios beautifully captures that ambition.”

For the latest updates about the event, visit the Billboard U.K. website and follow @billboarduk on social media.

Register for the ballot at Factory International: factoryinternational.org — Billboard U.K. Live: Corinne Bailey Rae

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