Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region’s most cherished orchestral forces and venues, from the RNCM to The Bridgewater Hall.
Want more music? Head to our general Music guide for our latest scoop on the North’s best gigs and festivals.
One of the UK’s most exciting young wind quintet’s brings an eclectic programme to Low Four studios.
Home to the Hallé and the BBC Philharmonic orchestras, the Bridgewater Hall attracts some of the biggest names in classical music. Purpose-built to the tune of £42m, the hall was designed around its acoustic needs; it floats on 280 earthquake-proof isolations springs that mute all external noise, perfect for shielding around 250 performances a year from the trams outside.
The Royal Northern College of Music is both a music venue and an academic institution training up some of the country’s finest music students.
Manchester’s new kid on the concert hall block, the Stoller Hall, opened its doors in April 2017 to further enhance the city’s already enviable live music provision.
The 1930s Art Deco Philharmonic Hall, home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, gives no hint of the sensuous curves of the auditorium inside from its hard exterior.
Hallé St Peter’s is a deconsecrated Grade-II listed church, once a theatre prop store, then a knitting factory, before being restored and becoming home to the Hallé orchestra.
Manchester’s Albert Hall is an astounding Wesleyan Chapel turned live music venue, regularly hosting classical concerts.
Manchester Cathedral dates back to at least the 1400s and has been rebuilt many times. In current, striking form, it’s still a place of worship, but also host to regular gigs and events.
“You stumble down a garden path past city fringes and looming industrial structures. Are you lost? No! You’ve only just arrived”.
from £15.00
Back for 2024, Trafford’s flagship arts festival returns to Waterside for six days of experiential performance and cultural delight.
Bringing just what Bank Holidays call for, Wythenshawe Park hosts a huge, celebratory weekend of music from Greater Manchester and beyond.
from £50.40
Mercurial singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield AKA Waxahatchee performs at New Century in support of her new album, Tigers Blood.
from £29
Manchester Psych Fest, the UK’s trailblazing psychedelic music and arts festival has announced a massive bill for its 2024 edition.
from £45.20
Legendary American rock band Pixies are bringing their unmistakable and era-defining sound to The Piece Hall.
from £47.50
If you’re hunting for the perfect present – a Factory International Gift Membership could be just the ticket.
from £45.00
Get priority booking on the best seats, special discounts, invitations to exclusive events and much more. Are you in?
from £45.00
Marking the official start of The Warehouse Project’s 2024 season, Repercussion is back with a huge day-to-night party celebrating dance music in all its forms.
from £54.00
Let the Hallé transport you to a galaxy far, far away…
from £18.00
Fat Out Fest, a Salford festival championing the experimental and the underground in music and visual art, returns with three-days of music, exhibitions and workshops.
from £ 0
Featuring over 200 artists and performers, immersive arts experiences and kids activities, Kendal Calling is a great, family-friendly festival set in the stunning Lake District.
from £199.00
Check out our top picks of shows previewing in the North West before heading to Edinburgh Fringe Festival later in the summer.
Take me there
From the team behind the Kazimier, the Invisible Wind Factory is Liverpool’s most eclectic live music venue and nightclub.
District Liverpool is a multi-purpose venue in the Baltic Quarter, hosting gigs, club nights, films, cabaret, festivals and much more.
Based in Liverpool’s old Royal Institute of Arts and Science building, Liverpool Arts Club is a great spot to catch small touring acts.
The Arena has a regular programme of arts and entertainment including live music, concerts, comedy and dances with stage shows and national tours. With two licensed bars this is the perfect location for a great night out.
O2 Academy Liverpool (formerly the L2 and Carling Academy Liverpool) boasts two performance areas that host live music and clubnights.
The Lawrence Batley Theatre, home of live performance in Huddersfield, crafts a varied programme for and with its local community.
Opened in 2002, The Brickyard is Carlisle’s longest-running independent music venue, offering live performances in an intimate church hall.
Wakefield’s 7A is a flexible performance / exhibition space Yorkshire. It is host to a number of impressive events used by Leeds College of Music, Wakefield College and the Neon Workshops.
Gearing up for a sunny July? Take some eating-out tips from this month's guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.
Make bread, throw axes, learn costume design and drink beer like you've never done before in this month's Tours and activities guide.
All-dayers make a strong showing in our latest music picks, from dance music marathons to vibrant showcases of South Asian artistry.
School year, complete! And as we say goodbye to what seems like a rather long summer term, we can look forward to the summer holidays, with lots of exciting activities...
This month we look at Indie Horror Summer, outdoor movies, and a brand new film festival in Sheffield.
Interactive circus, arts festivals and new writing, our guide features a show-stopping selection of theatre happening indoors and outside.
In between working out, then working through, your holiday reading pile this summer, find inspiration for your next bookish acquisitions from our selection of live events and exhibitions.
Virginia Woolf and lasers, environmental recovery through wildness and thoughts on motherhood - all this and more in our exhibition top picks!
