Live Music at Refract 2025
Johnny James, Managing EditorBook now
Live Music at Refract 2025
Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.
Refract returns to Waterside this July with a genre-spanning music programme that’s as playful and unpredictable as the festival itself – and much of it is completely free.
The music kicks off at the Cabaret Club with Arun Ghosh, a boundary-smashing clarinettist who fuses jazz, Indian classical and contemporary sounds (22 July, ticketed). Over in the foyer at the same time, The Living Room Dance Club keeps it loose with a funk and soul disco hosted by Manchester vinyl queen Ailsa McLaggan – spinning floor-fillers from the 1970s and beyond (free, no booking required).
Elsewhere in the week, Bay Bryan takes to the stage with a hybrid set of live music and storytelling. Switching gears from the tender folk soul of his debut album, The Meadow, he’ll be previewing the funky psych-pop of new project BAYARD, while diving into a world of transporting tales – some taller than others (25 July, ticketed). Stay on afterwards for local DJ Atalaya’s free late-night set, spanning reggaetón, trance, techno and everything in between.
Refract’s open-air strand turns up the volume on Waterside Plaza, with a street-party atmosphere and performances designed for all ages. Allow Batala Manchester to introduce you to samba reggae, before The Thingumajigs crank up the ska, funk and silliness for a family-friendly knees-up (26 July, free). The next day, Global Grooves dial up the carnival energy with their bloco of drummers, brass and horn players (27 July, free).
Rounding things off is Rodina (aka Aoife Hearty), whose soul-jazz stylings provide a perfect golden-hour send-off on the Refract Bandstand (27 July, free).
Blending big brass blowouts with intimate storytelling, DIY dancefloors with world-class musicianship, this year’s music line-up captures Refract’s spirit in full: bold, inclusive, and built to bring people together.
