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Manchester Psych Fest 2025

Johnny James, Managing Editor

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Manchester Psych Fest

Albert Hall, City Centre
30 August 2025

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

From £44.80
Image supplied by Now Wave.
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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.

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.

As is often the case with Psych Fest, lots of our highlights come lower down on the bill. Famous’ gig in YES basement was one of our favourites of 2024, and Manchester’s much-hyped Westside Cowboy are onto something really 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 well over a hundred 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.

There are more acts and festival activities to be revealed over the coming months. We’ll have the latest highlights here, but for the full line-up, head to Psych Fest’s website via the button below.

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