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Music in Manchester and the North

Johnny James, Managing Editor

From DIY gigs to blockbuster multi-media events, we’ve covered the lot in our latest round-up of unmissable live music.

We include a number of classical highlights, from the must-sees of RNCM’s packed Autumn Season to English Touring Opera’s myth and folklore-themed performances in Buxton.

You can also read about two huge happenings at Aviva Studios. Up first is Manchester’s most glamorous Black History Month event, Black Creative Trailblazers, before the legendary multi-media artist Laurie Anderson presents her new, apocalyptic show, ARK: United States V.

We also look towards the more intimate, DIY and affordable side of the spectrum, with Blackburn’s Confessional Festival celebrating all things grassroots and a former MOT garage in Ancoats launching a new series of free gigs.

Read about all this and whole lot more below.

Our top picks

RNCM Autumn Season

RNCM Autumn Season at Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), Manchester, 13 October–13 December 2024, from £8 - Book now

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

Find out more
Female with white suit sitting on piano stool singing
Madeline Bell by Tatiana Gorilovsky.

Ramona Live at Ramona

Ramona Live at Ramona, Manchester, Until 28 November 2024, free entry - Visit now

Ramona, purveyors of outrageous Detroit pizzas and lip smacking spicy margz, have launched their latest series Ramona Live, which sees a globe-trotting selection of touring acts take to the former MOT garage in Ancoats.

Find out more
Ramona Live
Ramona

Inspirational Artists at RNCM

Inspirational Artists at Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), Manchester, Until 3 December 2024, from £12.50 - Book now

The RNCM has launched its brand new Inspirational Artists series, spotlighting a huge range of touring musicians and ensembles, each bringing something unique to the stage.

Find out more
three musicians wearing white and performing with string instruments
Paul Blakemore.

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.

WHP24: Overmono at Depot Mayfield

Overmono at Depot Mayfield, Manchester, 12–13 October 2024, from £45.00 - Book now

Informed by their love of hard-edged ’90s rave, trance, and breakbeat, sibling duo Overmono curate a huge night of electronic music at Depot Mayfield.

Find out more
Overmono at The Warehouse Project
The Warehouse Project

Sound Out Leeds 2024/25

Sound Out Leeds 2024/25 at Leeds Conservatoire, Leeds (and other venues), 16 October 2024–15 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.

English Touring Opera at Buxton Opera House

English Touring Opera: Blond Eckbert and The Snowmaiden at Buxton Opera House, Sheffield, 25–26 October 2024, from £28.50 - Book now

English Touring Opera storm back into Buxton Opera House with an Autumn Season exploring the supernatural, myths and folklore, featuring Dame Judith Weir’s Blond Eckbert presented with a new staging of song cycles and cantatas, plus a brand-new production of Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Snowmaiden.

Find out more
Blond Eckbert production image. Man on stage with screen behind him showing shadow figures.
Blond Eckbert production image by Richard Hubert Smith.

Manchester Camerata: Māyā – An Orchestral Carnatic Song at The Stoller Hall

Manchester Camerata: Māyā - An Orchestral Carnatic Song at The Stoller Hall, Manchester, 30 October 2024, from £25.00 - Book now

Fusing the sound of a Western Classical Orchestra with Carnatic song, Rushil Ranjan presents his new composition Māyā, commissioned by Manchester Camerata, at The Stoller Hall.

Find out more
Manchester Camerata performing on stage in the Stoller Hall with audiences
Manchester Camerata/ Robin Clewley

Warmduscher at The Ritz

Warmduscher at The Ritz, Manchester, 7 November 2024, from £26.95 - Book now

Purveyors of sleezy punk funk that proudly resides in la-la-land, Warmduscher play at The Ritz this November.

Find out more
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

Homobloc 2024

Homobloc at Depot Mayfield, Manchester, 9 November 2024, from £49.50 - Book now

Homobloc returns for its fifth edition, taking over Depot Mayfield and surrounding venues with a huge day-to-night party that brings artists, performers, spectators and clubbers together for an all-welcome celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.

Find out more
Homobloc 2023
Jody Hartley

Laurie Anderson ARK: United States V at Aviva Studios

Laurie Anderson ARK: United States V at Aviva Studios, Manchester, 12–24 November 2024, from £10.00 - Book now

Marking the end of the world in a momentous mix of music, cinematic imagery, songs and stories, ARK is a new live stage work conceived by and featuring the legendary multi-media artist Laurie Anderson

Find out more
Laurie Anderson
Factory International

Idles at The Apollo

Idles at O2 Apollo, Manchester, 6 December 2024, from £42.15 - Book now

Taking the power of love on the road, IDLES bring their latest album, TANGK, to The Apollo in December 2024.

Find out more
Idles by Daniel Topete, image couresy of SONIC PR
Idles by Daniel Topete, image courtesy of Sonic PR.

More music events

A black woman sat down looking to the left.
–
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
Manchester Science Festival 2024
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FestivalsManchester
Manchester Science Festival 2024

Expect a packed programme of fun, family-friendly daytime activities and adults-only evening events spanning never-seen-before installations, live performance and interactive adventures.

three musicians wearing white and performing with string instruments
Until
MusicManchester
Inspirational Artists at RNCM

The RNCM launches its brand new Inspirational Artists series, spotlighting a huge range of touring musicians and ensembles, each bringing something unique to the stage.

from £12.50
Female with white suit sitting on piano stool singing
–
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
See all music events
If at First Main Image
Spotlight on

Black History Month in Manchester and the North

Discover the North West's best Black History Month events, including exhibitions, theatre and dance.

Take me there

Music in Manchester and the North

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.

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.

The MerseyMade building in Liverpool
Liverpool
Shop
MerseyMade

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.

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.

See all places

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