Music in Manchester and the North

The Goon Sax, 29 September 2016, from £7.00 - Book now

Backstreet boozer the Eagle Inn is the unlikely host venue for the Manchester (or Salford, more accurately) debut by Aussie teen sensations the Goon Sax. The Brisbane trio, who make thoughtful indie-pop songs, count the Pastels, Talking Heads, Galaxie 500 and Arthur Russell among their influences – with their excellent debut album likely to end up on multiple end of year lists.

Tor Festival 2016 at Todmorden Unitarian Church, 30 September 2016–1 October 2016, from £3.00 - Book now

The West Yorkshire town of Todmorden hosts Tor Festival, a one-day music event featuring styles ranging from folk through to drone and psychedelia. This mini-festival takes place in the town’s Unitarian Church – with a warm-up show taking place at the Golden Lion pub the previous night. All in all, it’s great reason to pay a visit to this picturesque Pennine market town.

Oxjam Manchester Takeover 2016 at Dulcimer, Chorlton, 30 September 2016–2 October 2016, from £5.00 - Book now

With weekend wristbands available from as little as a fiver, this event, spanning three days and six venues across Chorlton, is a bargain. Kicking off with a five-strong bill for the launch night, the main event continues throughout Saturday – headed up by local experimental duo O>l>A. Sunday’s closing party, meanwhile, features two exciting talents in Liam McClair and Chloe Foy. And it’s all in the aid of Oxfam.

Meilyr Jones at The Deaf Institute, Manchester, 4 October 2016, from £9.00 - Book now

Formerly the frontman of Race Horses, Meilyr Jones has also collaborated with fellow Welsh musical talents Cate Le Bon, Gruff Rhys and Euros Childs, as well as Stealing Sheep. Jones’ recent solo debut, 2013, maintains the same kind of pedigree – packed full of off-beat, witty pop songs. One of the highlights of this year’s Sounds From The Other City festival, he returns to headline the Deaf Institute. Support comes from Warrington’s Man & The Echo – a group themselves on the up.

Stars of the Lid at Central Methodist Hall, Northern Quarter, 5 October 2016, from £20.00 - Book now

This is the first Manchester appearance in 10 years by the elusive Stars of the Lid duo. Formed in 1993, the American pair of Adam Wiltzie and Brian McBride have enjoyed critical acclaim over the years, without really threatening to break through to mainstream focus. Live, they will be joined here by members of US post-rockers Labradford, as well as a projectionist and a lighting designer. In the already surreal surroundings of Central Methodist Hall, this promises to be an unforgettable show.