What a month. And such a mixed bag too. Like, really mixed.
We’ve got the annual takeover of North Manchester by rave royalty, a genuine screen icon bringing his love of jazz standards to the Palace Theatre, a proper rock music legend in the park and one of Manchester’s most enigmatic bands of recent years making a storming comeback.
Here are the best gigs and club nights in Manchester this June…
Macy Gray
Few voices in soul are as instantly recognizable as Macy Gray’s distinctive, sandpapery rasp. Since the late 90s, she has occupied her own specific lane in the industry; one that blends old-school jazz sensibilities with neo-soul and a penchant – well, more than a penchant – for the eccentric. While she is most often cited for the global dominance of tracks like I Try, her discography is deep with experimental R&B and collaborations that have kept her relevant for three decades.
Jeff Goldblum
From the screen to the stage at the Palace, yes, it’s very much that Jeff Goldblum, landing with (in all likelihood) a velvet suit* and a repertoire of luxurious jazz standards. Joined by the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, the Hollywood icon will be blending smoky jazz club energy with an anecdote or two. Expect piano-led standards, playful crowd interaction and tracks from the album Night Blooms. Less like a theatre show and more like stumbling into the world’s most glamorous late-night jam session. *Suit material may vary.
Julian Marley
Grammy-winning reggae artist Julian Marley heads to Manchester with a live show built on roots rhythms, spirituality and decades of musical heritage. The son of Bob Marley has spent years carving out his own lane through conscious reggae, collaborations with Lauryn Hill, and acclaimed records like Awake and Colors of Royal, blending dub grooves, soulful melodies and Rastafarian philosophy into a sound that feels both classic and completely his own.
Aldous Harding
Aldous Harding is one of contemporary music’s true originals, blending mystic folk, avant-pop and strange, poetic storytelling into songs that feel intimate, ancient and quietly unsettling. Expect a live show full of delicate whispers, dramatic crescendos and a spellbinding unpredictability that has made her a truly singular performer. In the spectacular surroundings of Albert Hall, this will be one to remember.
Lola Young
There is a specific kind of gravity to Lola Young’s voice that makes her feel less like a rising pop star and more like a generational talent. Following the success of tracks like Conceited and, of course, the ubiquitous anthem Messy, the South Londoner has carved out a space that is distinctly hers – biting, honest, and entirely devoid of the usual industry polish. She lands at the O2 Apollo this June for her biggest Manchester dates to date (two nights, no less). Support comes from Annabelle Dinda.
Moovin Festival 2026
There is a specific kind of magic that happens at Whitebottom Farm, usually involving a dramatic gorge, a rave in a barn, and people losing their minds to the basslines while cows look on with mild indifference. Moovin has carved out a reputation as one of the region’s best-kept party secrets that isn’t really a secret anymore, largely because they refuse to follow the standard corporate festival blueprint. Instead, they lean into a laid-back, fiercely independent spirit that focuses on a heavy-hitting mix of reggae, house, drum & bass, and funk. This year, head over to Etherow to witness the likes of Groove Armada, 2manydjs, Gilles Peterson, Nightmares On Wax, Quantic, Chali 2na, Mr Scruff & MC Kwasi, Galliano, Mungo’s HiFi, Fish56Octagon, DJ Paulette and loads more.
WU LYF: Go Tell Fire To The Mountain 15th Anniversary
Fifteen years after Go Tell Fire To The Mountain became one of Manchester’s most talked-about records, WU LYF are back for a rare one-off hometown show. The famously elusive band will bring the organ-heavy chaos of the album the Albert Hall’s chapel-like surroundings, in what feels less like a reunion tour and more like a fleeting return from one of the city’s most mythologised bands.
Lily Allen at AO Arena
For those who haven’t stopped playing Lily Allen’s West End Girl, the modern pop icon responsible for one of the most face-slappingly honest albums of recent years will perform the whole damn thing at the AO Arena. Strap in for something truly memorable.
Parklife 2026
The mighty Parklife returns to Heaton Park, a summer standard, an anchor point for the whole festival season. No pressure, then. Calvin Harris headlines for the first time in 13 years, while Sammy Virji steps into full-blown headline territory. Skepta’s back with a new era looming, adopted Manc Nia Archives returns with pure breakbeat chaos, and there’s serious depth everywhere you look, from Chris Stussy, Josh Baker and Kettama to Hedex, Prospa, Marlon Hoffstadt, Silva Bumpa and ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U. There’s also a huge new PANORAMA stage landing this year, turning the old Hangar into a full-scale electronic arena with curved LED walls, multi-level dance platforms and behind-the-booth access. Time, once again, to go slightly feral in a field.
The B-52s and DEVO: Cosmic De-Evolution Tour
If your idea of a perfect Tuesday involves a collision of 1960s surf-rock kitsch and satirical, high-concept art-punk, this double-bill is likely the highlight of your summer (if not 2026 in general). A legendary double-header, The B-52s and DEVO are bringing their Cosmic De-Evolution Tour to the AO Arena, marking a rare opportunity to see two bands that essentially soundtracked the weirder corners of the late 70s and 80s. Expect the Georgia legends to lean heavily into the Technicolor franticness of Rock Lobster, Mesopotamia and a certain anthem about an outback shed with a raunchy reputation, while the Ohio pioneers provide the necessary dose of spud energy and rhythmic precision. Radiation suits at the ready.
John Gomez vs Ruf Dug – White Label SHOWDOWN
When it comes to record digging, few people have a deeper or more eclectic bags than John Gomez and Ruf Dug. Following a notable run on NTS and a couple of heavily oversubscribed nights at London’s Carpet Factory, the pair are bringing their White Label Showdown north. This isn’t your standard back-to-back set of predictable floor-fillers; it’s a five-hour exchange of rare pressings, obscure global finds, and the kind of unreleased oddities that usually stay hidden in private collections. Expect to hear everything from Balearic rarities and proto-house to high-energy disco, curated by two DJs who know their craft back to front.
KAYTRANADA
KAYTRANADA has spent the last decade perfecting a sound that is instantly recognisable: those slightly-off-kilter drum patterns, thick basslines, and a sense of groove that most producers would sell their souls for. After years of commanding festival stages and intimate club sets, he’s heading to Co-op Live for a performance that promises to bridge the gap between a high-production concert and a massive warehouse party. The billing gets even better with the addition of Uncle Waffles, the Amapiano powerhouse who has been instrumental in bringing the South African sound to a global audience.
THE BLACK LIGHTS
To celebrate ten years of boundary-pushing nights in Salford, The White Hotel is launching its first ever festival, The Black Lights, taking over Blackpool landmarks including the Tower Ballroom, Pleasure Beach and Opera House for a weekend of experimental music, live performance and total chaos. The line-up already includes DJ Flight & Kode9, A Guy Called Gerald, Blackhaine, Factory Floor, The Caretaker and a newly commissioned Mica Levi piece for the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.
Sankeys Summer Season Closing Party
After a huge, Lazarus-like first season back in the Manchester club scene, Sankeys is heading into a short summer break with one final closing party this June before returning in September. The line-up remains unannounced for now, but the reopened club has already hosted the likes of Maya Jane Coles, Felix Da Housecat, Solardo, Steve Lawler, Lauren Lo Sung, Priku and Tania Vulcano, alongside residents Pirate Copy and Krysko. So expect something special.
Robyn: SEXISTENTIAL TOUR
Last seen pitching up on stage at the Pink Room at YES with countryman Olof Dreijer, Swedish pop architect Robyn is back in town, bringing her SEXISTENTIAL TOUR to Co-op Live. This isn’t just another pop show; it’s a long-overdue reunion with the woman who essentially redefined the modern dancefloor. Expect the usual masterclass in melancholic synth-pop and a setlist spanning from 2010’s era-defining Body Talk through to her more cerebral, club-focused later work. It might be an arena show, but dancing on your own is thoroughly encouraged.
