Culture Guides
Destination Guides
Eyeing up Manchester’s gig calendar, we’re spoilt for choice this New Year! Below, read our top picks for the coming months.
We kick off with Whyte Horses, a local psych pop band on the cusp of an exciting new chapter. Keeping it local, we also write about Stay Fresh Fest, an all dayer showcasing a raft of new and emerging talent from the North West.
Speaking of up and comers, The Murder Capital are the most thrilling band breaking out of Ireland’s burgeoning post punk scene. Sleater Kinney, meanwhile, have firmly established themselves as a mighty force in punk rock. Both have exciting Manchester gigs looming.
Like a mirage on the horizon, we also have the tantalising summer months in our sights. Make sure to read about Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke’s brilliant new album, ANIMA, and his two supporting gigs at Victoria Warehouse this June.
With plenty more to sink your teeth into below, we present to you the best musical happenings in Manchester and the north this New Year.
Here are our picks
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1. Jacques Greene at YES
Mathieu Fortin -
2. Zutekh Presents: Mall Grab/Special Request/Lone
Mall Grab Zutekh Presents: Mall Grab/Special Request/Lone at Mayfield Depot, Manchester, 31 January 2020, from £15 - Book now
Featuring Mall Grab, Special Request and Lone, this intimate, off-season event by The Warehouse Project is getting us excited.
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3. Kokoroko at Gorilla
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4. Anna Meredith at Gorilla
Gem Harris -
5. Fatoumata Diawara at Band on the Wall
Band on the Wall Fatoumata Diawara at Band on the Wall, Manchester, 7 February 2020, from £16.50 - Book now
Fatoumata Diawara is a standard-bearer of modern African music. A joy on record and a revelation live, she’s unmissable at Band on the Wall.
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6. Stay Fresh Fest: Bite Me
Stay Fresh Fest Stay Fresh Fest: Bite Me at The Deaf Institute, Manchester, 8 February 2020, from £4 - Book now
Stay Fresh Fest is back this February with a raft of new and emerging talent from the North West. Read our top picks from the line-up.
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7. The Murder Capital at Manchester Academy 2
Gavin Ovoca The Murder Capital at Manchester Academy 2, Manchester, 14 February 2020, from £14.85 - Book now
Joining a raft of great new bands breaking out of Ireland, shadowy post punks The Murder Capital are getting us seriously excited.
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8. A Love Letter to PHM from Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly at People’s History Museum
Image © People’s History Museum A Love Letter to PHM from Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly at People’s History Museum, City Centre, 14 February 2020 - Book now
This Valentine’s Day, indie-folk heroes Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. will be marking the People’s History Museum’s 10th anniversary with a special live set.
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9. Sleater Kinney at Manchester Academy
Sleater Kinney Sleater Kinney at Manchester Academy, Manchester, 27 February 2020, from £27.50 - Book now
In support of their 10th studio album The Centre Won’t Hold, feminist punks Sleater Kinney are bringing their mighty-as-ever live show to Manchester Academy, one of only two UK dates on their current tour.
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10. Eliza Carthy: Restitute Live at The Stoller Hall
Eliza Carthy Eliza Carthy: Restitute Live at The Stoller Hall, 2 April 2020, from £11 - Book now
One of the most prominent figures in the English folk revival, Eliza Carthy is bringing her brilliant new solo album Restitute toThe Stoller Hall.
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11. The Grahams at The Stoller Hall
The Grahams The Grahams at The Stoller Hall, 9 April 2020, from £11 - Book now
With guitars and whiskey in tow, travelling troubadours The Grahams are soon to lay down their hats at The Stoller Hall, where they’ll perform songs from their forthcoming album, Kids Like Us.
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12. Thom Yorke at Victoria Warehouse
Alex Lake Thom Yorke at Victoria Warehouse, Manchester, 20–21 June 2020, from £54.70 - Book now
Following the release of his excellent solo album ANIMA, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke is performing not one but two shows at Victoria Warehouse this June.
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