From warehouses to cathedrals, everywhere's a stage this October...
This month in gigs, we’ve got a it all. There’s a brand new venue (in the form of New Century’s club space Locker), a legendary house music brand putting on a rave in a Victorian swimming pool, one of Manchester’s home-grown DJ heroes curating a night at The Warehouse Project and Mogolia’s most famous metal group landing in town for an evening of heavy riffs and throat singing. Plus, a little further out of the city there are a couple of ‘worth travelling for’ treats too.
You can’t say we lack variety in Mancunia…
Drink The Sea
A new group of world-renowned musicians come together to create something new. Drink The Sea consist of Peter Buck, the founding guitarist and songwriter for R.E.M, Alain Johannes, a Chilean-American producer who’s worked with the likes of PJ Harvey and Queens Of The Stone Age, and a Grammy award-winner in the shape of Barrett Martin, plus other members with their own equally impressive accolades. Reaching excellence from all corners of music, those with a keen ear won’t want to miss this all-star performance at Band On The Wall.
Paranoid London
Gerado Delgado and Quinn Whalley, aka Paranoid London, will be bringing their grinding acid madness to New Century’s new 450-cap club venue, The Locker. Expect appearances from Leeds noise-makers KIOSK and frequent collaborator Mutado Pintado, of Warmduscher fame, who will be providing nihilistic narration over the bleeps. Also on the bill, the magnificent DJ Subaru. Strap in.
DJ Yoda: 90’s Mixtape Live
DJ Yoda brings his new audio visual celebration of modern music, film and pop culture to Manchester. Blending music and visuals from the 90s, there’ll be iconic big-screen moments from Seinfeld to Jurassic Park stitched into fast-cut sequences and paired with the likes of Britney Spears, Blur and Notorious B.I.G. A party atmosphere with a nostalgic twist, celebrating the icons that made the 21st century what it is, you can’t say no to that.
An Evening of Kate Bush
A deep exploration of Kate Bush’s enduring sound, curated by avid fans of her music for avid fans of her music, this will be truly special. Performed live by a full band, vocalists and string quartet in the ethereal surroundings of the UK’s most stunning cathedrals, the show will move through Kate Bush’s music chronologically, starting with the groundbreaking debut album – The Kick Inside – and delving deep into classics such as Hounds of Love and Never For Ever, until we reach the maternal warmth of 2005’s multi-award winning comeback record – Aerial, touching on everything in between from crowd-pleasers to rare treats.
Brushy One String
Jamaican musician Brushy One String brings his unique one-string guitar style to Manchester as part of his latest European tour. Known worldwide for the viral hit Chicken in The Corn, he blends reggae, folk, roots and blues with warm storytelling, humour and an unmistakable musical approach that has earned him fans across the globe.
The Immortal Sisterhood Live
A genre-bending show about honour and grief, The Immortal Sisterhood Live combines opera, cello, violin and poetry in an exploration of the women who we stand on the shoulders of. Adapted from award-winning broadcaster and writer Gemma Cairney’s literary work, the show brings to life Cairney’s book on the twelve women who make up her spiritual sorority. Playing for one night only at Manchester’s Aviva Studios, after shows in New York, Edinburgh and London – don’t miss it.
Lancaster Music Festival
Lancaster Music Festival is back with new and returning venues plus over 300 acts playing a wide variety of music. Everything from progressive metal to alternative rock and international music from across the globe will descend on venues across Lancaster, with artists including Norwegian band, Dobbeltgjenger, country quartet The Northern Songbirds and Lancaster’s own symphony orchestra. There’ll also be flamenco and drumming workshops plus talks, walks and musical stories as Lancaster University Professors lead panels, interactive music and beer pairing sessions and musical history trails. There really is something for everyone across the programme celebrating music in every form.
Worried About Henry
Worried About Henry brings a mega line-up of DnB stars to their annual WHP outing. Legend of the genre Andy C showcases his new audio-visual project ALiVe in the headline slot, with Hybrid Minds and Bou b2b Hedex as support. Across four other rooms, a wealth of the very best in drum and bass are set to perform, so expect the pavements to be rumbling well into the night across Manchester.
Escapism
From the creator of the legendary Renaissance – the club which boasted residents and regulars including Sasha and Digweed, not to mention pioneering the use of grand locations like stately homes for holding raves back in the 90s – Geoff Oakes is bringing new project Escapism to Manchester. Transforming the Victoria Baths, headlining will be Grammy-winning duo Deep Dish, Ibiza favourite Smokin Jo and rising talent Pattn taking over the historic venue, alongside immersive production, street food, specialist coffee and a carefully curated atmosphere that places equal emphasis on the music and the setting.
Interplanetary Criminal Presents
Manchester’s very own Interplanetary Criminal takes over WHP for his biggest headline show to date. Across four stages the Mancunian DJ will be joined by huge names including the likes of Silva Bumpa, Jytoy, DJ Seinfeld, Joy Orbison and Skin on Skin. The takeover even extends to the Star & Garter pub and there are whispers of surprise b2bs. One firmly not to miss for techno fans.
The HU
Mongolian metal group The HU play Manchester’s 02 Apollo as part of their UK tour. The band will play their first set of UK shows since their 2023 Glastonbury performance supported by Viking-inspired rock act SKALD. Pioneers of the Hunnu Rock genre, the band are gearing up to release their third album this year with their style described as combining the screaming guitars of heavy metal and traditional Mongolian guttural singing.
Dave East
Harlem rapper Dave East heads to Manchester with the gritty street storytelling and heavy East Coast sound that’s made him one of modern New York rap’s most respected names. Signed by Nas after years on the mixtape circuit, East has built a cult following through projects like Kairi Chanel, Paranoia: A True Story and the Karma series, alongside his role as Method Man in Wu-Tang Clan: An American Saga.
Beth Orton
Across her three decade career, Norfolk-born Beth Orton has operated on a slightly different frequency. Open to the forces of the cosmos, her songs are something of a weather vane, broadcasting the inner conditions of an emotional landscape within. From the pioneering folktronica of 1996’s Trailer Park to the earthy classic-rock of 2006’s Comfort of Strangers, through to this year’s critically acclaimed The Ground Above (which Pitchfork called “deeply felt and beautifully arranged”), the through-line of her work is its emotional clarity. She brings that abundant back-catalogue to the fittingly architectural surroundings of Stoller Hall this October.
Courtney Barnett
Courtney Barnett returns with Creature of Habit, a bold fourth album recorded between Joshua Tree and Los Angeles, full of restless guitar songs, hard-won optimism and the quietly cutting observations she does better than almost anyone. Expect a set that pulls from one of indie rock’s most distinctive catalogues, with support from Body Type.
Eric Prydz
House mega-star Eric Prydz makes his return to Manchester after four long years with a headline show at The Warehouse Project, taking on the cavernous Concourse room solo. Due to the nature of the show, tickets will be very limited and it’s recommended you get on the wait for presale. It’s no phone’s allowed so you’ll have no choice but to be immersed in the euphoric music of a man whose shaped the scene for decades, can’t complain at that can you.
Jeans And A Nice Top
A big night out for the huns, New Century are hosting a night of indie-sleaze and bratty pop with drag artist Koko Popperz selecting the tunes. Expect to hear all the best pop-girlies including Charli XCX, M.I.A, La Roux, Kate Nash, Lady Gaga, Lilly Allen, Britney Spears and much, much more. No stress about attire, it’s obviously jeans and a nice top. Just pour yourself some Echo Falls and get down.
Khalid: It’s Always Summer Somewhere Tour
Global R&B star Khalid returns to Manchester on his first European tour since 2019, bringing the It’s Always Summer Somewhere tour to Aviva Studios after a huge North American run. Expect diamond-certified breakout hits, tracks from his latest synth-washed album After The Sun Goes Down, and support from LA pop and R&B artist Jae Steephens.
Baked A La Ska Halloween Special
Baked A La Ska take their bloodied chainsaw to your most-loved spooky classics at Band on the Wall once again, always an essential night in the Manchester music calendar. Expect a few hits from the spookiest ska record ever made – ‘Skalloween’ – while the fanciest of dress is enthusiastically encouraged. A bone-a-fide don’t-miss.
Overmono
Tech mainstays Overmono bring their world tour to Manchester’s Warehouse Project after the release of their highly anticipated sophomore album, Pure Devotion, dropping in August. The Welsh dons will be joined by the equally blazing Joy Orbison who’ll be going b2b with James Blake as well as a special appearance from the drum & bass maestro himself Andy C. Across two other stages expect massive names in electronic music like Motor City legend Moodymann, Helena Hauff and Space Afrika, to name just a few.
Elder Island
After years of crafting brooding, immersive electronica, Bristol trio Elder Island have emerged with a brighter, more euphoric sound. Their latest album Hello Baby Okay swaps introspection for spontaneity, blending funk-laced guitars, dancefloor rhythms and the detailed production they’ve become known for. They head to Manchester with a live show that balances club energy with the atmospheric songwriting that has earned them a global following.
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