Common Walls International Mural Festival
Rochdale is set to be transformed by world-leading street artists, as the Common Walls International Mural Festival arrives in town. The likes of Insane51, Onur, Smug1, SecaOne, AYLO, Epod, and Lei Mai, along with Cabasa Carnival Arts, who will also take part in the festival, working with artist Rhian Kempadoo-Millar on their first mural. The festival invites the public to watch the rare, large-scale murals being created in real time by the artists, who will be in town for the week. All murals will be within a 30-minute walk of each other, creating a unique open-air gallery in the heart of the town, a map will be available to guide visitors. The festival culminates in a vibrant weekend celebration on 13 and 14 September, when visitors are invited to see the finished works as well as enjoy free family-friendly activities and attractions set to feature BMX stunt shows, street art workshops, a live graffiti jam, pop-up galleries, artist talks and live music.
Daði Freyr
Icelandic musician Daði Freyr achieved global fame with his track Think About Things, which was due to be the song to represent Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, before it was cancelled due to Covid. Instead, he represented his country with new tune 10 Years in 2021, finishing in fourth place. Catch him at Albert Hall on 8 September 2025.
Albert’s Schloss 10th Anniversary
Albert’s Schloss is turning 10, and the much-loved Bavarian Bier Palace is marking a decade in Manchester with showtime, schnapps and celebrations. The birthday week will feature the full line-up – Kunst Kabaret, Disko Wunderbar, Friday Frohlich – plus a Birthday Special Baby Grand Slam on Wednesday 10 September. Expect limited-edition Birthday Cake Schnapps, plenty of bench dancing and that distinctive Schloss magic late into the night.
Social Q&A with Rich and Amy Myers from Get Baked
Leeds-born Rich and Amy Myers have transformed late-night brownie cravings into one of the UK’s most talked-about dessert brands – the viral Get Baked. With a cult following, bold social media presence and queues around the block for their multi-layered Bruce chocolate cake, they will share the story of how Get Baked became a viral food phenomenon at the Cupra City Garage.
UnHeard: Hidden Cabinet
Join the Portico Library for an intimate sonic experiment as UnHeard presents original classical contemporary works by Manchester-based composers, inspired by literature, myth and popular culture. Promising a mix of clarinets, saxophones, and electronics, each piece reflects the fluid nature of perceptions and realities, where light and dark, accompaniment and opposition, reality and imagination, collide and coexist.
Sarnie Party
Head down to Kampus for Sarnie Party – the ultimate free-to-attend festival dedicated entirely to the humble sandwich. After an epic debut in London, the world’s greatest butty festival heads North for two days of carb-loaded joy. Sarnie fans can try sandwiches from ten independent operators across both days, including local Manchester legends Bada Bing and Rack – plus Pollen, Madre and OSMA who will be serving up special sarnies. Joined by a host of chefs from across the North (including Derek’s from Liverpool and The Bodega from Norwich), they’ll each be creating a unique sandwich for the festival.
Black Country, New Road
Named after a dual carriageway in the West Midlands, Black Country, New Road have garnered a loyal following of fans since they formed in 2019. Their experimental style blends violin and saxophone with guitar and keyboard for an energetic sound. Catch them at Manchester’s Albert Hall on 12 and 13 September.
Music For The Senses Auction
Here is your chance to own a unique piece of art or a guitar donated and signed by Oasis, Elbow, Doves, Peter Hook, Pixies and many more, which you may have seen around the city over the summer. For one special evening at the stunning Hallé St Peter’s, over 50 guitars from Music for the Senses will go under the spotlight to raise money for the Greater Manchester Grassroots Music Fund. You can view the unique lots which will be up for grabs, bringing together artistic and musical talent for a great cause.
Re:bourn x Northern Lights sample, vintage and deadstock sale
The brilliant Re:bourn return to the just as brilliant Northern Lights Home in Ancoats, bringing with them bales of high end vintage, deadstock and samples from labels like Chanel, Stone Island, Loewe, Comme Des Garcons, Westwood, Acne, Prada – an absolute playground for the stylishly price conscious. The bargains last year were immense. This year it’s even better. Show you’re an MCR Finest subscriber, and you’ll get one of 100 free Rebourn X Northernlights totes (first come, first served), 10% off any purchase (on top of up to 80% off RRP), and 10% coffees & wine at the bar.
Trench Noir
The ladies and gents of Trench Noir return for another tear up at Aatma, above the Peer Hat. On the ones and most likely also the twos will be Biome, Pablogyal, Nanny Banton, Dirty Deirdre, Gap Tooth, Bob Co Jones and Moderate Sounds, the master of ceremonies duties being executed by Big Al. Likely a sweaty affair, so dress accordingly.
ZULAN
Argentinian-American artist, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and DJ ZULAN plays in Manchester. After selling out shows on multiple continents, and playing to packed out crowds at shows including Coachella, fans can see her live at Band On The Wall on 12 September.
Ember & the Vixens: An Evening of Fantasy & Fairytales
Escape to a world of fantasy and fairytales at GRUB as Ember & the Vixens return to the stage. This time, they’re transforming CULTPLEX into a cabaret den, featuring live music, burlesque, spoken word and circus full of fantastical escapism. Selina Helliwell’s sparkling show will be a fiction lover’s spectacular.
Sherelle
The unstoppable Sherelle zips up the M1 for an elongated set at Salford’s Finest, The White Hotel. Expect rave-based carnage through the night, with the NTS regular joined on the decks bya yet-to-be-announced special guest. There will be vibes.
Changing Currents
Known for his frenetic mash-ups, Brighton’s Changing Currents will be heading up for a set of future baile funk, electro, UKG, and global sounds. Catch him at the intimate club space at the Cupra City Garage in conjunction with Habitat, with able support provided by Tone Rarri, Ask Gramm, Amber Rose, Pooch and Faro on hosting duties.
DMF for Palestine
Manchester imprint Dark Machine Funk – ably curated by DJ and producer Kerrie – will be assembling some of the best vibes in town with this fundraiser for aid to Palestine. Kerrie will be pitching up to putting the sound system at Renae through its paces, alongside Neel, Jerome Hill, Raw Data (live), Yant, Luke Daniels, Pattie Mac, Mark Turner, Mayss, April, Nestor and Renae main man Mouridis. The day party will go on at Renae till 2am, with the afters stretching on into the night at 1520 Studios.
Untold Story Music Presents METAL METRICS VOL. 1
Join Untold for an epic night of head-banging and mosh pits at METAL METRICS VOL. 1, showcasing some of the best up and coming metal artists around the North of the UK. The night promises the best of the metal scene, featuring some of the most exciting hardcore bands in the industry – Drenched, Covert UK, LucyVivor, n0trixx and Skye. Don’t miss out on an unforgettable night of heavy riffs and intense energy.
MannyFest
Head down to Wythenshawe Park for a brand-new music festival putting a spotlight on DJs and artists from Manchester. Expect the sounds of D&B, Jungle, UKG and 140 with a line-up featuring the likes of local legend Chimpo, D&B royalty DJ SS and Bryan Gee, DRS, Skittles and loads more.
The Stockport Cider Salon
Join the folk at Where The Light Gets In for a celebration and tasting of the finest ciders and perries, with the makers themselves. Head up to the community garden at The Landing for DJs, food and family-friendly cider making, and taste various bottles created by growers and producers from across the UK.
