Manchester Psych Fest 2025
Johnny James, Managing EditorBook now
Manchester Psych Fest
Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.
Manchester Psych Fest, the UK’s leading psychedelic music and arts festival, returns for its 12th edition this summer, hosting 70+ live acts on stages across the city. With the full bill now revealed, here’s what’s in store.
Headlining the huge all-dayer are Swedish hypnotists GOAT, who blend psychedelic rock with funk and a heavy tribal influence. Just underneath on the bill is Nadine Shah, bringing a blend of post-punk and dark pop, plus Warmduscher, purveyors of sleezy punk funk that proudly resides in la-la-land.
More psychedelia comes in the form of Gong, one of the most boundary-pushing rock bands of the seventies, and – representing the more contemporary side of the genre – Holland’s Yin Yin. For your indie fix, see The Bug Club, Horse Jumper of Love and Yellow Days, with post punk from Deadletter and Do Nothing.
Newly announced artists include the much-loved Jadu Heart, a debut show from Working Men’s Club’s Sydney Minsky Sargeant, Aussie punks C.O.F.F.I.N, Belfast sonic powerhouse Makeshift Art Bar, and the super-hyped Radio Free Alice. The final wave of acts also includes five Grassroots acts handpicked from hundreds of applications to a new Arts Council England-supported programme: Zo Lief, Wyatt, Puppy Teeth, Lana Death Ray and Twin Flames.
As for our top picks? Famous’ gig in YES basement was one of our favourites of 2024, and Manchester’s much-hyped Westside Cowboy are onto something exciting, having just signed to Nice Swan off the back of one single. Bristol disco power duo Getdown Services will probably bring the funnest set of the festival, and Pins playing their 2015 album Wild Nights will be a moment.
That’s just a taste, though. There’s many, many more acts playing across Manchester Academy, Albert Hall, The Ritz, Gorilla, YES, The Deaf Institute, The Bread Shed and Projekts Skate Park. Do make sure you get down to that last one in particular. It’s a unique spot to catch live music.
A visual element complements the music again this year, with in-demand artist Innerstrings (Overmono, Working Men’s Club, James Holden) providing exclusive Psych Fest video installations that will “take you beyond”. There’ll also be DJs, workshops, art, films, talks and the customary food and drink traders.
