Culture Guides
Destination Guides
Seasonal Guides
It’s March, spring’s around the corner (somewhere), and our gig calendar is filling up nicely.
Purveyors of raw, intimate folk rock that increasingly surprises, Big Thief perform at the O2 Apollo on 7 April in support of their critically acclaimed double album, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You – their most adventurous release to date.
A perfect fusion of The Flaming Lips’ experimental urges and their pop instincts, Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots (2002) is the sound of the lauded psych rock band at their creative peak. Catch them performing the album in its entirety – for the first time in England – at Manchester’s O2 Apollo on 29 April.
Manchester Jazz Festival is back this May with 10 days of live music from some of the best northern, national and international musicians operating in the world of contemporary jazz.
The hallowed collaborative project from electronic music composer Nicolás Jaar and jazz multi-instrumentalist Dave Harrington, Darkside dropped their second record, Spiral, in 2021. To fans’ glee, they’re finally taking this alchemic fusion of electronica and psychedelic rock on the road, calling in at Manchester’s New Century on 16 June.
We also round up our top picks from the music side of things at this summer’s Manchester International Festival, including Ryuichi Sakamoto, AFRODEUTSCHE and The Comet is Coming.
What else? Richard Dawson – one of Britain’s best, most humane songwriters – plays at New Century, and Pink Floyd legend Roger Waters continues his This Is Not A Drill tour at Manchester’s AO Arena.
Here are our picks
Richard Dawson at New Century, Manchester, 25 April 2023, from £18.00 - Book now
Richard Dawson, one of Britain’s best, most humane songwriters, returns to Manchester for the first time since the release of his celebrated seventh album, The Ruby Cord.
Roger Waters at Manchester Arena, Manchester, 10 June 2023, from £98.50 - Book now
Pink Floyd legend Roger Waters continues his This Is Not A Drill tour at Manchester’s AO Arena, bringing both solo and Pink Floyd material to the city for the first time in five years.
Darkside at New Century, Manchester, 16 June 2023, from £31.42 - Book now
The hallowed collaborative project from electronic music composer Nicolás Jaar and jazz multi-instrumentalist Dave Harrington, Darkside will finally air their long-awaited second album, Spiral, at New Century.
Kagami by Ryuichi Sakamoto and Tin Drum at Versa Manchester Studios, Castlefield, 29 June–9 July 2023, from £10 - Book now
Watch a ground-breaking mixed reality concert created by legendary composer and musician, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and world-leading production studio and technology developer, Tin Drum.
AFRODEUTSCHE with Manchester Camerata at Factory International, City Centre, 5 July 2023, from £10 - Book now
Manchester Camerata and Robert Ames are teaming up to premier a new work for string ensemble from Manchester’s very own AFRODEUTSCHE.
Spring weather might be dragging its feet a little, but the world of exhibitions isn’t slowing down with new shows popping up everywhere to greet the new season.
Spring is making an entrance in live literature land with some extra special festival events, writing walks, online launches and in real life readings from local writers as well as international talent.
We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester and the north.
Get ready for spring and summer with the best restaurants and bars in Manchester and the North.
From indie markets to bit-sized meditation, spoon carving workshops to gallery tours, here are the headlines in the world of tours and activities.