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Music in the North

Johnny James, Managing Editor

Ready for Christmas? No, us neither. That’s why we’re skipping over it entirely (for a few weeks at least) while we take a look at some of the best gigs happening in early 2025.

First up by way of new picks, the legendary Femi Kuti will inject some joy into the god-awful month of January, as he and his band The Positive Force perform an intimate show at Band on the Wall.

Deeper into the year, the iconic Primal Scream celebrate their new, funk and soul-infused record with a massive show at Aviva Studios, the same venue that will premiere Thom Yorke’s latest project: Hamlet Hail to the Thief.

And our top New Year’s Eve pick right now? The globe-trotting sounds of Me Gusta Collective at Band on the Wall.

Read about all this and a lot more, below.

Our top picks

Femi Kuti and The Positive Force at Band on the Wall

Femi Kuti + The Positive Force at Band on the Wall, Manchester, 26 January 2025, from £27 - Book now

This January, legendary Afrobeat artist Femi Kuti plays an intimate Manchester date with his band, The Positive Force.

Find out more
Image supplied by Band on the Wall

Primal Scream at Aviva Studios

Primal Scream at Aviva Studios, Manchester, 11 April 2025, from £39.50 - Book now

Following the release of their 12th album, Come Ahead, the iconic Primal Scream perform in the Warehouse space at Aviva Studios.

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Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream, standing in front of a postbox in a black and white photo with a dripping red paint effect.
The artwork for Primal Scream's 'Come Ahead', image courtesy of Aviva Studios.

Hamlet Hail to the Thief at Aviva Studios

Hamlet Hail to the Thief at Aviva Studios, Manchester, 27 April–18 May 2025, from £10.00 - Book now

Hamlet Hail to the Thief brings Shakespeare’s great tragedy and Radiohead’s seminal album together in an intoxicating blend of theatre, music, and movement.

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Hamlet Hail to the Thief: The cover of Radiohead’s Hail to the Thief – which is a collage of colourful text blocks stacked on top of each other. The text has been replaced by words from Hamlet.
Factory International

Me Gusta Collective – New Year’s Eve Special at Band on the Wall

Me Gusta Collective – New Year's Eve Special at Band on the Wall, Manchester, 31 December 2024, from £10 - Book now

Following a sellout show with Habibi Funk, Me Gusta Collective is back at Band on the Wall for the big one: New Year’s Eve.

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Image supplied by Band on the Wall

Chabrier: L’étoile at RNCM

Chabrier: L’étoile at Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), Manchester, Until 14 December 2024, from £15.00 - Book now

Step into the eccentric world of Emmanuel Chabrier’s L’étoile, an opéra bouffe bursting with wit, satire, and fantastical music.

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dada inspired artwork with king and eyes in blue shades
RNCM

RNCM Big Band with Madeline Bell (vocals) at RNCM

RNCM Big Band with Madeline Bell (vocals) at Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), Manchester, 13 December 2024, from £12.00 - Book now

Having worked with everyone from Dusty Springfield to Scott Walker, Elton John to The Rolling Stones, don’t miss the chance to watch legendary soul singer Madeline Bell with the RNCM Big Band.

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Female with white suit sitting on piano stool singing
Tatiana Gorilovsky.

International Concert Series at The Bridgewater Hall

International Concert Series at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, Until 19 May 2025, from £8 - Book now

The 28th instalment of The Bridgewater Hall’s flagship classical music series is nearly here and there are some incredible concerts to look forward to, featuring some of the world’s leading orchestras, recitalists and choirs.

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Pierre-Laurent Aimard
Pierre-Laurent Aimard © Julia Wesely.

Sound Out Leeds 2024/25

Sound Out Leeds 2024/25 at Leeds Conservatoire, Leeds (and other venues), Until 15 June 2025, from £10.00 - Book now

Leeds International Concert Season is on a mission to push boundaries, expand horizons, and ask the question: ‘What haven’t we heard?’ as it presents its city-spanning Sound Out Leeds series.

Find out more
A black woman sat down looking to the left.
NikNak by Em Obeng.

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Music in the North

Manchester
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Platt Fields Park in Fallowfield is steeped in history, the land having been acquired by the Platt family in 1225.

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Winner of the 2017 Art Fund Museum of the Year Award, The Hepworth in Wakefield is easily one of the leading cultural highlights of the North.

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In the MerseyMade shop you’ll find bottled gin from the likes of Turncoat Gin, Anfield Gin, Albert Dock Gin and Three Graces Gin. Yep, Liverpool REALLY likes its gin.

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