Culture Guides
Destination Guides
Physical gigs are sadly on hold due to you-know-what. For artists and audiences alike, accepting this as the new normal is tough, but there are still ways of both parties connecting – albeit virtually. In this guide, we’ll be pointing you towards the best livestreamed concerts, broadcasts, activities and exhibitions on offer during the lockdown.
We also thought we’d give you a taste of what we’re listening to at the moment. In the Spotify playlist below, we’ll be adding tunes relating to features in this guide, new releases and miscellaneous gems.
We are so grateful to National Lottery players, The National Lottery, DCMS and Arts Council England for supporting our freelance writers during this crisis. This means that, although venues remain shut and campaigns cancelled, our writers can be reengaged to help arts organisations and artists across the North of England share their online content with our culture-hungry readers.
Here are our picks
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1. Record Shops in Manchester
Image courtesy of Piccadilly Records. To the delight of crate diggers across the city, Manchester’s independent record stores are beginning to re-open. Here’s the lowdown on how they’re currently operating.
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2. Puffin Box at Hilton House
Puffin Box Puffin Box at Hilton House, Manchester, 7 August–27 September 2020, from £110 - Book now
Brought to you by the creators of La Discothèque, Puffin Box is ‘a rave in a box’ where you can immerse yourself in a 90-minute mini clubbing experience within your own social bubble.
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3. Björk Orkestral – Live From Reykjavík
Björk -
4. The Choir Project: Virtual Choir
Dan McDwyer -
5. Tim Burgess’ Listening Parties
Tim Burgess -
6. RNCM Lunchtime Concerts (online)
Royal Northern College of Music -
7. Syd Shelton: Rock Against Racism – Online at Gallery Oldham
Specials Fans. Potternewton Park, Leeds, 1981. Courtesy of the artist and Autograph, London -
8. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds at Manchester Arena
Steve Parke Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds at Manchester Arena, Manchester, 21 April 2021, from £30.50 - Book now
One of the world’s great live acts, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are returning to Manchester in support of their extraordinary album, Ghosteen – postponed from May 2020.
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9. Neighbourhood Weekender 2020
Neighbourhood Weekender Neighbourhood Weekender 2020 at Victoria Park, Southport, 29–30 May 2021, from £64.25 - Book now
The Neighbourhood Weekender returns to Warrington for its third outing next May bank holiday. We make our top five picks from the line-up.
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10. Thom Yorke at Victoria Warehouse
Alex Lake Thom Yorke at Victoria Warehouse, Manchester, 13 June 2021, 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 next June.
More in Music
Amazon with HOME
Created by composer Alex Ho and theatre-maker Elayce Ismail, this stunning fusion of music, text and visuals sees a trip to the Amazon take an unexpected turn.
At Home With Radiohead
Radiohead are helping fans get through the lockdown with a series of largely unseen concert films, uploaded to YouTube every Thursday.
Threat to Breath with HOME
A brand new commission for Homemakers, Threat to Breath is a sound piece to listen to at home, on your own or with others.
Stop Making Sense – Streaming on BFI Player
Jonathan Demme x Talking Heads. Find out why Stop Making Sense is widely regarded as the greatest concert film ever made.
Use Hearing Protection: The Early Years of Factory Records at the Science and Industry Museum (temporarily closed)
Use Hearing Protection tells the story of Factory Records’ formative years from 1978-1982, when the label made waves with its innovative work in music, technology and design.
Munkination
In this intimate and live-streamed concert, Halvcast will explore climate change, black lives matter and his upbringing in post-apartheid South Africa.
Just So Festival 2020 CANCELLED
The best family festival in the UK returns for its 11th outing. Pillow fights, paddle-boarding, woodland opera, and the best new outdoor arts for families.
Creep Show at YES
A collaborative project between John Grant and Wrangler, Creep Show blend experimental pop, surreal funk and dark analogue electro.
Vintage by the Sea in Morecambe – Cancelled
Celebrate the brilliance of 20th century design, fashion, vehicles and entertainment at this award-winning festival set around Morecambe’s famous art deco Midland Hotel.
Culture Guides
Cinema Online
We look at the outdoor screenings and digital releases you can enjoy as cinemas prepare to reopen safely.
Exhibitions
Art and women’s wrestling, Ancient Akkadian gravesites and invented artefacts – check out this month’s pick of exhibitions from across the north.
Families Online
Need some inspiration for online activities and creative family fun? Look no further than our top picks online for families across Manchester and the North.
Literature
From book launches to poetry and prose readings and from open mics to creative writing workshops and masterclasses, Live Literature Land has online activities and events nailed.
Classical Music in Manchester and the North
We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester.
Food and Drink in Manchester and the North
For the August guide, we’ve dug out the best Food and Drink in Manchester and the North to explore now that lockdown has thankfully eased.
Online events
Discover the best things to do online from the organisations we love in Manchester and the North.
Tours and Activities
Socially distant walks and virtual tours are among the offerings in this month’s guide of Tours and Activities.
Related Guides
Food and Drink in Manchester and the North
For the August guide, we’ve dug out the best Food and Drink in Manchester and the North to explore now that lockdown has thankfully eased.
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.
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
Spend a day in the city and it rapidly becomes apparent just how much it…
Places to go / stay / shop / eat / drink
Things to do right now
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