Music in Manchester and the North

Johnny James, Managing Editor

It’s that time of year again, when every band’s on the road, and keeping up with gig announcements is a full time job. So here’s a helping hand – a shortlist of the most exciting live music events coming up in Manchester and the North this autumn.

Spanning leftfield pop, forward-thinking classical and heady electronica, we’ve just added a bunch of new picks that are well worth checking out. Two pop artists to start with: Norrisette and Katy J Pearson, both incredibly talented songwriters with a penchant for experimentalism.

The same’s true of Sega Bodega, one of the most precocious minds on the UK’s electronic scene, having produced for everyone from Björk to Rosalía while creating a stunning catalogue of solo releases. More electronica from Bicep, whose CHROMA show represents a refreshing evolution for the Belfast duo – one that hits harder than anything they’ve done before.

As for classical, we look towards Leeds, where a city-spanning festival is taking place right through to summer 2025. Presented by Leeds International Concert Series, Sound Out Leeds was born out of a desire to challenge the historic conventions of the classical music scene, asking the question: ‘What haven’t we heard?.

Read about all this and lots more below.

Our top picks

Bethlehem Casuals Album Launch at SOUP

Bethlehem Casuals Album Launch at SOUP at Soup, Manchester, 30 November 2024, from £6.00 - Book now

The three agents of chaos and groove who make up the Bethlehem Casuals bring a new sound and a new album to SOUP this November.

Bethlehem Causals
Rachel Rimmer

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.

A black woman sat down looking to the left.
NikNak by Em Obeng.

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.

Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

Norrisette at Off The Square

Norrisette at Off The Square, Manchester, 8 November 2024, from £12.00 - Book now

This November, mercurial art pop artist Norrisette performs at Off The Square in Manchester, the city that inspires her new EP.

Norrisette
Andrea Terzuoli

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.

Homobloc 2023
Jody Hartley

Sega Bodega at Band on the Wall

Sega Bodega at Band on the Wall, Manchester, 14 November 2024, from £21.10 - Book now

In support of his excellent third album Dennis, Sega Bodega brings his dislocated pop and surreal electronica to Band on the Wall this November.

Image supplied by Band on the Wall

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.

Laurie Anderson
Factory International

Katy J Pearson at New Century

Katy J Pearson at New Century, Manchester, 2 December 2024, from £19.00 - Book now

Loved for her blend of soaring, widescreen melodies and warm, intimate storytelling, Katy J Pearson brings her brand new album, Someday, Now, to Manchester.

the artist
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

Bicep present Chroma at Depot Mayfield

Bicep present Chroma at Depot Mayfield, Manchester, 6 December 2024, from £39.50 - Book now

Bicep return to The Warehouse Project this December with their Chroma AV DJ Set and a brilliantly curated line-up of cutting-edge electronic artists who reflect the duo’s own eclectic influences.

Bicep at The Warehouse Project
Graham Joy

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.

Ramona Live
Ramona

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.

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

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.

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.

Pierre-Laurent Aimard
Pierre-Laurent Aimard © Julia Wesely.

More music events

MusicManchester
Sega Bodega at Band on the Wall

In support of his excellent third album Dennis, Sega Bodega brings his dislocated pop and surreal electronica to Band on the Wall.

from £21.10
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
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
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
Homobloc 2023
MusicManchester
Homobloc 2024

Homobloc takes over Depot Mayfield and surrounding venues with a huge day-to-night party celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.

from £49.50
Timekeepers
Spotlight on

Light Festivals in the North

From enchanting lantern parades to epic LED installations, light festivals are a brilliant way celebrate the magic of the winter months.

Take me there

Music in Manchester and 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 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.

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in Manchester and the North

Alongside experimental performance, new writing and free arts festivals, we take a look at some of the Christmas shows happening in the North.