Culture Guides
Destination Guides
Seasonal Guides
From basement crawlers to stadium stars, there are some electric live acts heading our way this summer. Here are our top picks.
XTC were one of the sharpest British bands to emerge from the new wave explosion of the late ’70s, their bright, occasionally melancholy art pop gleefully trampling on conventions set the day before. And yet being an XTC fan was and is something of a lonely business; they flew under radar throughout their career and rarely performed live, their last show being a staggering 41 years ago. Hence original drummer Terry Chambers forming EXTC and releasing some truly wonderful songs from their four-decade confinement.
Hey Colossus have long specialised in producing an unholy racket. At times skirting the edges of metal, at others digging into Krautrock, their deep, heavy psychedelia often makes for a transcendent experience on record, and by all accounts their live shows take things to a whole new level. The White Hotel, Mecca for the city’s creatives, revellers and shadow dwellers, is a beautifully fitting venue for a band who’ve always operated by their own co-ordinates.
The Magnetic Fields have long held cult status within the indie world, their short, sharp songwriting wit undimmed three decades into their career. This summer, Stephin Merritt and co are heading over the pond to perform intimate, orchestral arrangements of songs spanning their discography, from 1999’s classic 69 Love Songs to 2020’s Quickies. They’re only doing one North of England show, and it’s pretty rare, generally, to catch them over here, so if you’re a fan, don’t skip their Leeds gig in September.
Kendrick Lamar is victory lapping the world in the wake of his excellent fifth record Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers as well as a masterful headline performance at Glastonbury. If you watched that Worthy Farm set – either in the flesh or on telly – you’ll know what an incredible live rapper he is, and how much thought is put into his productions. There are somehow still tickets left for his show at Manchester’s AO Arena. Snap them up while you still can.
What else? Symphonic punk outfit Godspeed You! Black Emperor, the best flora-themed hypno-folk-metal collaboration you’ll have heard in recent months (Richard Dawson and Circle), and a rundown of the best summer festivals in the North.
Here are our picks
-
1. The Strokes at Lytham Festival
Jason McDonald. The Strokes at The Proms Arena, Blackpool, 8 July 2022, from £61.85 - Book now
The Strokes, darlings of the early noughties indie rock scene, are heading to Lytham Festival this summer – their only North of England date this year.
-
2. Richard Dawson & Circle at Gorilla
Antti Uusimäki -
3. EXTC at Band on the Wall
Image by Dommett Young. EXTC at Band on the Wall, Manchester, 29 July 2022 - Book now
XTC were one of the sharpest British bands to emerge from the new wave explosion of the late ’70s, but they a sadly short-lived live act. Hence original drummer Terry Chambers forming EXTC and releasing some truly wonderful songs from their four-decade confinement.
-
4. Hey Colossus at The White Hotel
Hey Colossus Hey Colossus at The White Hotel, Salford, 16 July 2022, from £9.50 - Book now
Hey Colossus have long specialised in producing an unholy racket. At times skirting the edges of metal, at others digging into Krautrock, their deep, heavy psychedelia often makes for a near transcendent experience on record, and by all accounts their live shows take things to a whole new level.
-
5. Bluedot 2022 at Jodrell Bank
Bluedot Festival 2022 at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, Macclesfield, 22–24 July 2022, from £59.75 - Book now
After two years without Bluedot, the 2022 instalment is going to be special one. Björk, Mogwai and Groove Armada top the bill, but there are some great acts lower down on the genre-hopping lineup, too. Check out our highlights.
-
6. The Magnetic Fields at O2 Academy Leeds
via Leeds Inspired The Magnetic Fields at O2 Academy Leeds, Manchester, 1 September 2022, from £30.00 - Book now
The Magnetic Fields have long held cult status within the indie world, their short, sharp songwriting wit undimmed three decades into their career. This summer, Stephin Merritt and co are heading to the UK to perform intimate, orchestral arrangements of songs spanning their discography, from 1999’s classic 69 Love Songs to 2020’s Quickies.
-
7. Manchester Psych Fest 2022
Manchester Psych Fest Manchester Psych Fest at The Ritz, Manchester, 3 September 2022, from £45 - Book now
Manchester Psych Fest, the UK’s leading psychedelic music and arts festival, returns this September, and with the second wave of artists now announced, the 9th edition of Psych Fest is set to be the best yet as it takes over Manchester for one day only.
-
8. Godspeed You! Black Emperor at Manchester Academy
Yannick Grandmont Godspeed You! Black Emperor at Manchester Academy, Manchester, 23 September 2022, from £30.25 - Book now
In 2021, symphonic punk outfit Godspeed You! Black Emperor released one of the best albums of their 27 year career. They’re bringing it to Manchester Academy in September.
-
9. Manchester Folk Festival 2022
The Drystones Manchester Folk Festival at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 13–15 October 2022, from £13.20 - Book now
Manchester Folk Festival is back with a huge line-up and a new venue on the books. We take a look at the artists playing at this year’s city-wide festival, from Grace Petrie to Lady Maisery.
-
10. Kendrick Lamar at AO Arena
Renell Medrano Kendrick Lamar at Manchester Arena, Manchester, 16 November 2022, from £64.50 - Book now
Following a brilliant fifth album and a masterful headline performance at Glastonbury, Kendrick Lamar is victory lapping the world, calling in at Manchester’s AO Arena on 16 November.
-
11. BADBADNOTGOOD at Albert Hall
Jamal Burger BADBADNOTGOOD at Albert Hall at Albert Hall, City Centre, 10 December 2022, from £17.50 - Book now
In support of their expansive 2021 album Talk Memory, BADBADNOTGOOD play their biggest show in Manchester to date, at Albert Hall.
More in Music
Interruptions: Sounds – Online with The Holden Gallery, Manchester
‘Interruptions: Sounds’ is an online collection of new audio works by seven artists, spanning spoken word, ambient sound and musical tracks.
RNCM Lunchtime and Spotlight Concerts
It’s not just Symphony Orchestras or big name artists that perform as the RNCM, their lunchtime and spotlight concerts showcase the best student performers in more intimate settings.
Sounds of Nature at The Stoller Hall
The Stoller Hall has taken Sound of Nature as its new programming strand for 2022, with the aim of connecting audiences with nature through music.
Klezmer Tune Club at Manchester Jewish Museum
Bring an instrument and learn with the best Klezmer players in Manchester with Klezmer Tune Club at Manchester Jewish Museum.
Buxton International Festival
One of the UK’s leading arts events, Buxton International Festival is a glorious summertime celebration of opera, music and books.
The 21c Global Orchestra at RNCM
Watch a one-of-a-kind concert at the RNCM this July, with young musicians from leading music conservatoires around the world coming together to perform as an international ensemble: The 21c Global Orchestra.
Viva la Diva at Buxton Opera House
Packed with laughs, cross-dressing and cases of mistaken identity, this is a brand-new English version of Donizetti’s comic opera, adapted by renowned screenwriter Kit Hesketh-Harvey.
REFRACT Festival 2022 at Waterside
Now in its fifth year, Trafford’s flagship arts festival returns to Waterside for ten days of experiential performance and cultural delight.
Families at Bluedot Festival 2022
Space-loving families are invited to the Bluedot Festival 2022, returning on 21-24 July for its fifth year of awe-inspiring, inter-planetary fun.
Culture Guides
Classical Music in Manchester and the North
We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester and the north.
Food and Drink
Plan for July’s food and drink outings at some of the best restaurants and bars in Manchester and the North.
Exhibitions
From immersive playgrounds and mythological journeys to tackling injustice, this month is filled with fresh art to see all around the North.
Literature
There’s plenty of sunshine-drenched reading to immerse yourself in from established names and emerging talent, poets and prose writers alike, both in real life as well as online.
Tours and Activities
Get out in the sun this month with tours and activities that will have you engaging positively with the climate, taking the plunge in Salford Quays and getting creative.
Destination Guides
Related Guides
Food and Drink
Plan for July’s food and drink outings at some of the best restaurants and bars in Manchester and the North.
Music Venues in Liverpool
There’s more to Liverpool’s music venue landscape than the Cavern Club, as the city’s cafes, bars, concert halls and former warehouses offer a rich variety of live music – from chamber to freakscene, and everything in between.
Music Venues in Leeds
Boasting a strong musical heritage, Leeds has a wealth of music venues to match: from suburban social clubs and former textile mills to co-operatively run DIY spaces and its recently built arena, the city has plenty of exciting spaces to offer its young, outgoing population.
Classical Music in Manchester and the North
We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester and the north.
Music Venues in Manchester
Manchester is still a great place to watch new and innovative music – so here’s a guide to where to watch the best live music in the city.
Things to Do in Manchester
There’s plenty of things to do in Manchester, from award-winning theatre and exhibitions to exciting food and drink offer and thriving literature and music scenes. Our guide to the best things to with your time in Manchester.
Places to go / stay / shop / eat / drink
Things to do right now
Powered by
