mjf2023: Opening Weekender

mjf2023: Opening Weekender, 19–21 May 2023, free entry - Visit now

Manchester Jazz Festival (mjf2023) is back this May with 10 days of live music from some of the best northern, national and international musicians operating in the world of contemporary jazz. This year’s festival kicks off with a FREE opening weekender (19-21 May) in the vibrant neighbourhood of First Street to celebrate the breadth and individuality of Manchester’s home-grown scene: bands from, or with a strong connection to, the North. It’s also about shining the spotlight on artists who’ve journeyed through some of mjf’s talent development programmes in recent years.

As well as some of the north’s leading artists gracing the Main Stage – Ni Maxine, Wizards of Twiddly, Yemi Bolatiwa – on Friday and Saturday (19-20 May), you can also check out some of the Greater Manchester’s 18-25s bands from the mjf Soundcheck and hothouse artist development programmes on the Garden Stage including Nasa Parka, Moby Dickless and Rory A. Green. Accomplished performers in more intimate settings adorn the HOME Stage – Moore & Fairhall, Good Habits – throughout each day.

On Sunday 21 May mjf partner up with Jazz North to celebrate 10 years of the northernline touring support scheme, where industry bigwigs will select the five acts for the 2023 artist roster who will perform on the Main Stage that day.

If you go for the music, you’ll stay for the full-on-festival vibes that kick off down there, particularly on sunny days.