A city-wide music weekend, Keep Walking Live: Manchester, will run across Manchester from 13–15 March 2026, with venues including SOUP, New Century Hall, Eastern Bloc and Impiety Hour hosting performances, workshops and community-focused sessions, with tickets for each event priced at just £5.
The three-day event is a collaboration between Johnnie Walker and global music platform NTS, designed to celebrate the city’s independent music scenes and creative cultures while supporting local talent.
The weekend opens on Friday 13 March at SOUP in the Northern Quarter with a night centred on UK underground dance music, featuring UK garage icon DJ EZ with Manchester’s Anz and NTS resident Finn, alongside emerging local artists KD22LR and Tyronwithnoe.
Saturday’s programme begins with free, bookable DJ workshops at the NTS Manchester Studio, led by Finn and Abena, followed by a DJ showcase at Eastern Bloc with Annabel Fraser, Kim Lana and Rick.
In the evening, New Century Hall hosts an afro-fusion and neo-jazz night, headlined by MOBO-nominated collective KOKOROKO and featuring Venna with a live band supported by Manchester DJs Kusasa, Charisse C and Captain Lulaz.
The takeover concludes on Sunday 15 March at Impiety Hour, the experimental performance space from the team behind night club The White Hotel. A ‘Sunday Slow Down’ session of listening events and panel discussions will be followed by an intimate finale performance from jazz saxophonist Nubya Garcia, with support from Manchester-based Space Afrika and Oriki.
All net proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to local music charity Brighter Sound Ltd, which supports emerging music creators and industry professionals through development projects, residencies and advocacy focused on equity and opportunity in the music industry.
You can book £5 tickets to each event via NTS.
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