We’ve got ‘cinematic’ electronica, punk legends, some queer iconography and shoegaze icons coming through Manchester this month.
Let’s dive in…
Cinematic Orchestra at New Century
Sunday 1 October
It’s 20 years since Jason Swinscoe, better known as Cinematic Orchestra, released the pivotal Man With The Movie Camera. Originally commissioned as the score for Dziga Vertov’s silent movie of the same as a one-off performance for Porto’s European City of Culture film festival celebrations, it cemented Swinscoe’s reputation for creating grand soundscapes. To mark this anniversary, he’s heading out on the road, stopping at the glorious New Century. Just the right spot for it too.
34 Hanover St, Manchester M4 4AH
Roc Marciano at Canvas
Sunday 1 October
Roc Marciano – aka Rahkeim Calief Meyer – has rubbed mics with some of the very best to do it over an illustrious career, as part of Flipmode with Busta Rhymes, and alongside the likes of Pete Rock, Wu-Tang Clan, Cypress Hill’s DJ Muggs, Quelle Chris and some dude called Kendrick Lamar. He hit’s Canvas for an evening of raucousness on October 1.
Circle Square, 3 Symphony Park, Manchester M1 7FS
Gang Of Four at The Ritz
Wednesday 4 October
It’s difficult to understate the legacy of the legendary punk band Gang of Four. Their angular noise influenced everyone from Nirvana to the punk-funk of The Rapture and Bloc Party in the noughts. Their debut Entertainment! remains one of truly great British rock albums of all time, and despite losing pivotal founding member and guitarist Andy Gill in 2020, they go again. Go worship at the alter.
Whitworth St W, Manchester M1 5NQ
Your Dad Sells Avon at Canvas
Friday 6 October
Celebrating queer iconography at its latest rave up, Your Dad Sells Avon will be heading to underground club space Canvas, shifting round the corner from previous home the Deaf Institute. Turn up as your own queer icon – Grace, Britney, Marilyn, Madonna – and get involved, while the tunes from come Meme Gold, Forbid and Luke Lucent, right up to 5am. Early bird tickets are already sold out, so don’t sleep on this
Circle Square, 3 Symphony Park, Manchester M1 7FS
Red Laser at White Hotel
Saturday 7 October
Red Laser is back at the White Hotel for another all-night tear up, with the usual line-up of scorching quality turning out everything from low-slung Italo to full-scale face-melters into the wee small hours. Svelt will be headlining, alongside Red Laser’s own Bob Swan, Dave O and Pharoah Brunson debuting their DJ Hubcap alias, Kickin Pigeon and Red Laser boss Woody, aka Il Bosco, in the house too. ‘Manctalo’ vibes all the way.
Dickinson St, Salford M3 7LW
Boiler Room at Warehouse Project
Saturday 14 October
The mighty Boiler Room arrives in Manchester for a live-streamed tear up at the Warehouse Project, and the line-up is a straight stunner. Overmono will be playing live in the Depot, alongside Joy Orbison, DJ EZ and Tia Cousins. Then over on the Concourse, Detroit legend Kenny Dixon Jr, aka Moodymann, will be in the house, joined by Barry Can’t Swim and DJ Python.
Mayfield Train Station, The Depot, Manchester M1 2QF
É Soul Cultura at Hidden
Saturday 14 October
Luke Una will be presenting his É Soul Cultura night once again at Hidden, with a scorching line-up. Former Electric Chair regular Maurice Fulton will be in the house, alongside A Love From Outer Space’s Sean Johnston, while Ruf Dug, Lil Minx and Joey T make up the dream team. Expect antics.
16-18 Mary St, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M3 1NH
Haircut 100 at The Ritz
Wednesday 18 October
The last time Nick Heyward and his band Haircut 100 played Manchester, it was 40 years ago, and the show was a stop at Salford Uni on their 1982 UK tour. Well now they’re back – and not before time – as part of their reunion tour, playing tracks from their hit debut Pelican West, including Favourite Shirts, Fantastic Day and, of course, the massive Love Plus One.
Whitworth St W, Manchester M1 5NQ
Corella at Academy 2
Friday 20 October
After their sell-out show at Gorilla earlier this year (see above), Joel, Ben, Jack and Faw are out on the road again with shows in Glasgow, Newcastle, Cardiff and, of course, the band’s adopted hometown, ahead of the the release of their debut album in the new year. It’ll be to their biggest home crowd yet, so cram down the front for anthems like Bloom and Barcelona Girl before they’re massive.
Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PR
Slowdive at The Ritz
Tuesday 31 October
Shoegaze icons Slowdive hit Manchester as part of their mammoth world tour, straddling the US, the UK, Europe, Australia and South America over the next few months, before returning the home shores in the Spring (and another gig at the Academy in February next year, in case you can’t make this one). Their second comeback record since reforming, Everything Is Alive, will play alongside their glistening back catalogue of melodic, encompassing noise.
Whitworth St W, Manchester M1 5NQ
