From indie legends to techno day parties, we've a suitably varied month ahead...
There’s something for everyone across Manchester this month. Indie icons take to Wythenshawe park in the form of Pulp and The Courteeners playing across the bank holiday weekend with others set to take the stage across the month.
Elsewhere Band on the Wall host legendary producer Jazzy Jeff for one of his infamous block parties and Canadian heavy metal band Kitty land in town to bring some edge to Manchester Academy.
Whatever tickles your fancy, there’ll be something for you here…
Spanish Horses
Paris-born and now rooted in London’s Windmill scene, Spanish Horses channel the ragged spirit of The Velvet Underground, The Jesus and Mary Chain and ’70s New York art-rock into angular guitars, melodic songwriting and noisy live finales. Following UK and Ireland touring, dates with Public Image Ltd. and the release of their EP As She Rides By, the five-piece arrive in Manchester to playing The Abbey, the newly reopened Hulme pub and music venue now run by the brilliant Now Wave. Catch them at the most exciting 100-cap room in town.
Serenity Records X Amber’s
Independent Record label Serenity Records moves up North for the first time to host a night at Amber’s. Serenity is an dance label that raises awareness and proceeds for mental health charities with releases by the likes of Innershades, Jay Tripwire, Anna Wall, Harry Wills & Black Loops. Expect house, techno and breaks with a lineup of local mainstays and Serenity Records favourites. Tickets are cheap but limited, get em fast.
Steve Gunn
Former guitarist in Kurt Vile’s Violators, Steve Gunn brings his intricate, quietly hypnotic blend of folk, psychedelia and experimental rock to the YES Basement. Across more than two decades, the New York-based musician has worked with artists including Ryley Walker, Mdou Moctar and Julianna Barwick, while building a cult following through winding guitar meanderings and beautifully understated songwriting. He arrives following the release of Daylight Daylight, a spacious and reflective album exploring memory, mortality and the passing of time.
Kittie
Canadian nu/goth metalers Kittie are back in Manchester following a major revival that has introduced their music to a new generation. Formed by sisters Morgan and Mercedes Lander while they were still teenagers, the band broke through with the landmark album Spit before growing into a darker, heavier force across the next two decades. Following their 2022 reunion and the release of Fire, their first album in 13 years, they return with a career-spanning set supported by Split Chain and Harpy.
GOO Day Party
‘Day party’ might be a bit of a stretch for this one which starts at 5pm but given the hour you might usually find yourself at White Hotel, we’ll allow it. Huge names in the techno space Daniel Avery and Richard Fearless will be bringing you deep transcendent synths, transportive techno and ambient soundscapes at this relatively early one (there’s always to the option to join the queue for the next session, once this one finishes, of course).
i/o with O’Flynn
i/o returns to SOUP for another installation of groove-heavy dance music this time with O’Flynn headlining. A key figure in the UK electronic scene, O’Flynn’s sound is rhythmic and jazzy with African-inspired electronics, basically a guaranteed groove fest. After recent collaborations with Barry Can’t Swim and a stellar new album just dropped, if you’re not familiar with O’Flynn now, you will be shortly. Joining O’Flynn on the bill is Flex (UK) as well as resident DJs smiffybros and tworam.
Butcher Brown
Virginia collective Butcher Brown arrive in Manchester with Letters from the Atlantic, a new album inspired by journeys along America’s East Coast. Blending jazz, hip-hop, soul, funk, house and R&B into one fluid sound, the five-piece have spent more than a decade carving out a lane entirely of their own, with live shows that move seamlessly from deep improvisation to dance floor grooves.
DJ Jazzy Jeff
Jeff Townes – aka the legendary producer and DJ Jazzy Jeff – returns to his favourite spot in Manchester for a party, following his roadblock appearance last year. If you’ve not witnessed one of his block parties before – taking in classic hip hop, disco, soul and everything in between – then take note. And if you have, you’ve probably got tickets already.
Lewis Capaldi
Lewis Capaldi returns to Manchester for a huge outdoor show. Kicking off the 2026 series of summer gigs at Wythenshawe Park, the Glaswegian star will perform tracks including Survive, Someone You Loved and Before You Go. Following a date at Co-op Live, and an emotional return to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, fans can catch Lewis Capaldi in Manchester on Saturday 22 August 2026.
Ora Cogan
Canadian born Ora Cogan brings her Americana inspired psych-rock to the newly reopened Hulme pub, The Abbey. Cogan is known for her cinematic composition and the ghostly character of her work. Following the release of her ninth studio album earlier this year, Cogan embarks on a worldwide tour that makes a stop in Manchester as one of only three UK dates.
Violet Grohl
Violet Grohl, yes, daughter to that Grohl, is bringing a performance of her debut album to Manchester’s Deaf Institute on the 25 August. Expect to hear elements of the alternative sounds of the 80s and 90s, and the influence of The Pixies, Cocteau Twins and PJ Harvey.
Golomb
Columbus, Ohio trio Golomb combine blown-out guitars, hypnotic grooves and sweet vocal harmonies in a sound that moves between garage rock, post-punk and sprawling psychedelia. Formed by married couple Mickey and Xenia Shuman alongside Xenia’s brother Hawken Holm, they arrive in Manchester following their second album The Beat Goes On, ready to turn the newly reopened Abbey into a wall of beautifully scrappy sound.
Yebba
R&B singer-songwriter Yebba, established herself in the big leagues in her early career performing with the likes of Ed Sheeran, PJ Morton, Drake, A$AP Rocky and Mark Ronson. Now she takes her solo work on tour with her sophomore album Jean. Praised for it’s emotional honesty and restraint, the stripped back instrumentals means the harmonies, vocals and rawness of the lyrics shine. She plays Manchester’s New Century as part of a highly anticipated UK tour.
Pulp at Wythenshawe Park
After their triumphant show at Co-op Live earlier this year, Sheffield legends Pulp return to Manchester for a massive open-air headline show at Wythenshawe Park. Coming tooled up with their anthemic back catalogue, expect all the classics – Common People, Disco 2000, Do You Remember the First Time? – delivered with the drama, charm and charisma only Candida Doyle, Nick Banks, Mark Webber and, of course, Jarvis have in spades.
Gena feat Liv.e & Karriem Riggins
Dallas-born artist Liv.e and legendary drummer Karriem Riggins come together as GENA, a loose, jazz-soaked collaboration full of warped R&B, analog rhythm and beat-making instinct. Their first original track CIRCLESZ captures the hazy pull of romantic connection, with Liv.e’s layered vocals wrapped around Riggins’ percussive world.
The Courteeners
Courteeners are set to take over Manchester’s Wythenshawe Park next summer for a huge one-off outdoor show on Saturday 29 August 2026. Following a run of major festival headlines and a sold-out UK arena tour, Liam Fray and the band will headline the South Manchester park with support from The Vaccines – performing their debut What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? in full – alongside The Coral, Getdown Services, and Girl In The Year Above.
The Prodigy
Following their sold-out tour, The Prodigy bring their show to the summer’s Live from Wythenshawe Park series. The show promises to feature the band’s iconic classics as well as a handful of newer cuts, while the ravers can also expect a bonus performance by legend of D&B Andy C, and a special old school hardcore set from techno icon Carl Cox. Live from Wythenshawe Park are bringing some huge performers to Manchester over the summer including Pulp, Courteeners and The Cure, with The Prodigy taking the August Bank Holiday Sunday slot.
Animal Crossing Presents: Dr Banana
Dr Banana returns to Progress. They must’ve liked him last time because this time he’s back for a full eight hour stint. From three until eleven experience the fluidity Dr Banana is known for as he moves between garage, house, breaks and bass (and back again over the course of eight hours we’d imagine). Last release tickets available to buy now, if you still haven’t made plans for Bank Holiday Sunday.
Syd
A founding member of alt-hip hop dons Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, with Tyler, The Creator, and latterly the likes of Earl Sweatshirt and Frank Ocean, Syd – sometimes Syd Tha Kid – forged a post Odd Future, umm, future by forming the band The Internet with Matt Martian, also an OF alumnus and originator. She has remained captivating (not to mention prolific in her output) ever since, writing for the likes of Beyonce and touring with Billie Eilish. Check her out in the breathtaking-yet-somehow-intimate Albert Hall, as she performs a wealth of her solo material, taking from the past, present and future, not to mention her new album Beard, which features actual luminaries like Raphael Saadiq and Rodney Jerkins.