Top Picks
Guides
What’s on
Where to go
See all

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.

Find out more
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.

Find out more
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 The text has been replaced by words from Hamlet.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.

Find out more
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.

Find out more
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.

Find out more
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.

Find out more
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.

More music events

Female with white suit sitting on piano stool singing
Until
MusicManchester
RNCM Autumn Season

From soul legends to fantastical opera, live art to dance’s cutting edge, we select our highlights from the RNCM’s Autumn Season.

from £8
A black woman sat down looking to the left.
Until
MusicLeeds
Sound Out Leeds 2024/25

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.

from £10.00
See all music events
Spotlight on

Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a festive day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.

Take me there

Music in the North

Manchester
Park
Platt Fields Park

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

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Offering a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

The Hepworth Wakefield
Wakefield
Gallery
The Hepworth Wakefield

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.

The MerseyMade building in Liverpool
Liverpool
Shop
MerseyMade West Kirby

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.

Cumbria
Event venue
Penrith Old Fire Station

Main venue for Eden Arts, an artist-led organisation based in Eden in Cumbria creating projects around mass participation, local distinctiveness and digital engagement, from Picnic Cinema to The Winter Droving.

See all places

Destination Guides

Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a festive day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.
Things to do in Bradford: Kala Sangam
Things to do in Bradford

Our guide to the dark horse of Bradford, full of eye-opening exhibitions, independent shops and authentic curry houses.
YSP
Summer of Sculpture and Performance Art in Wakefield

Wakefield is the place to be this summer, with fantastic family activities, ambitious street performances and amazing art on display.
York Castle Museum
Things to do in York

We take a closer look at York, one of the UK’s most beautiful heritage cities with a wealth of contemporary culture.
Burnley's Singing Ringing Tree
Things to do in Lancashire

Our guide to the culturally rich coastal county of Lancashire, encompassing Lancaster, Morecambe, Blackpool and Blackburn.
Chester
Things to Do in Cheshire

Our guide to the best things to in Cheshire, including culture, shopping and food and drink in Chester, Crewe and Macclesfield.
Things to Do in Cumbria

Our guide to the best things to do in the Cumbria and the Lake District, including Penrith, Kendal, Carlisle, Keswick and Cockermouth.

Culture Guides

Raver Tots at Escape to Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.

Walker & Bromwich, Love Cannon, 2006, lambda print Photo:
Exhibitions in the North

Before the festive season completely takes over, we've rounded up some of the best exhibitions to see right now.

A man is dressed as an Elf in a decorated department store.
Cinema in the North

Get ready for animated classics, Muppet mayhem and a whole host of New York movies -- it's Christmas time in the cinema.

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.