Kelly Jones | 2nd July | O2 Apollo
Kelly Jones, frontman and creative force of Stereophonics for over 22 years, will be heading out on a solo tour around the UK this month July. Heralded as one of the finest voices of his generation, Kelly Jones will give audiences a rare opportunity to see unique and intimate performances across an evening of storytelling and song craft. Fans will be delighted to see and hear some of their favourite songs in a more stripped back environment. Link to the tickets here.
Belle & Sebastian | 3rd July | Albert Hall
Belle & Sebastian are one of the most cherished and celebrated UK acts of recent decades. They have released 11 critically acclaimed albums including the epoch defining Tigermilk, If You’re Feeling Sinister and The Boy with The Arab Strap and many classic EPs and singles, including most recently the How To Solve Our Human Problems trilogy. The Albert Hall is the perfect venue for them, and of course tickets for it have already sold out, so keep your eye on face value resale on Twickets.
Bloc Party | 5th July | Castlefield Bowl
Indie icons Block Party will play their hugely successful debut album ‘Silent Alarm’ at this year’s Sounds of the City festival. The four-piece’s debut LP was released back in February 2005, celebrating their 15th anniversary, Kele Okereke and co are playing a very special show at Manchester’s open air Castlefield Bowl. There is still a chance to get tickets.
The Wombats | 6th July | Castlefield Bowl
The Wombats have recently finished a huge UK arena tour which included a date at Wembley! The lads formed in Liverpool back in 2003 and now on their fifth album, released last year. This gig is part of Manchester Sounds of the City Festival. it’s going to be a big one, grab your tickets here.
MIF – Mary Ellen McTague & Craig Potter (Elbow) | 12th July | Albert Square
There is an exciting Festival Square music programme during MIF19 this month, including this very cool DJ set from Mary Ellen McTague & Craig Potter (Elbow). Craig Potter Elbow’s Keyboardist and producer is a very keen techno DJ and Manchester’s finest chef Mary Ellen take to the decks on 12 July 10pm till late, they will be appearing onstage in a new look Festival Square – which takes over Albert Square in front of Manchester’s historic town hall. The event is free!! Get yourself down there.
Elbow | 9th July | Castlefield Bowl
Among the acts that will headline Greater Manchester’s very own Elbow with be performing in the 8,000 capacity Castlefield Bowl of the second night of Sounds of the City. Elbow have been in the studio recently recording their new record, hopefully we will get to hear some of it at the gig. The band will be joined by very special guests Nadine Shah and Barns Courtney at their show. It’s going to be great don’t miss it.
MIF – DJ Yoda | 9th July | Albert Square
Hip-hop master DJ Yoda will be playing for FREE at the MIF Festival Square this July – and you can expect a set full of some old-school bangers. He’s worked with everyone from classical composers to neuroscientists; brass bands to film directors; Dr Dre to Dame Evelyn Glennie; Banksy to Mark Ronson; BBC Radio 4 to the BFI – this one will be mega.
The National | 10th July | Castlefield Bowl
The National are back in the UK for an arena tour, Manchester is lucky to host a show at open air venue Castlefield Bowl as part of this year’s Sounds of the City. The band have recently released their eighth album ‘I am Easy To Find’ it will be a great show hearing their new material in such an amazing venue, don’t miss it and get your ticket here.
The Kooks | 12th July | Castlefield Bowl
The Kooks are back! They technically haven’t gone away but it seems a long time since the height of their popularity releasing tracks of Naive and Seaside in 2006. They’ve released album ‘Let’s go Sunshine’ last year which has received mixed reviews, none the less this will be a nostalgia filled show full of the finest noughties indie-pop.
MIF – Black Madonna & Dave Haslam | 12th July | Albert Square
MIF have released this year’s line-up for festival square and there’s no question it’s their best ever. At the heart of the city frequenting Albert square from the 5th-21st July, this year the square has been designed by Architects Nicolas Henninger and Paloma Gormley with the help of Manchester School of art. There’s food and drink in abundance by some of your favourite local providers and entry to the square is completely free!
Hacienda Classical | 13th July | Castlefield Bowl
The Clubbing-Orchestral crossover returns to town, the canal side show could prove to be their best show yet, a stone’s throw from where it all began. Graeme park and Manchester Camerata Orchestra have built a huge reputation for the classical project over the last few years, with support from Inner City & Peter Hook, lets pray for sunshine.
Graeme Park | 13th July | Gorilla
Detroit Techno legend Kevin Saunderson – the second member of the Belleville Three to head to Gorilla in the last 12 months – headlines The Hacienda Classical After Party on Saturday 13th July, alongside Acid House heroes Graeme Park and Jon Dasilva.
Sankeys25 Festival | 13th July | Bowlers
Sankeys are set to celebrate 25 years with UK club tour and Manchester: The 25th Anniversary Festival at Bowlers Exhibition Centre. Its indoors, outdoors, all day all night with some of the world’s biggest artists, Steve Lawler, Darius Syrossian, Cassy, Jozef K, Hector Couto, Tini spanning across five stages. Grab your ticket now.
MIF – Horace Andy & Blood & Fire | 14th July | Albert Square
Absolute reggae royalty – Horace Andy will be performing LIVE at Festival Square this year and I seriously could not be any more excited to see him. Best known for his distinctive vocals and string of hits throughout the 70’s and 80’s he also collaborated extensively with Massive Attack – a move that brought him to the mainstream in recent years.
MIF – The Orielles | 15th July | Albert Square
The Orielles have rocketed onto the scene last year releasing a critically acclaimed debut album ‘Silver Dollar Moment’ and embarking on an extensive tour and festival line up’s this summer its exciting times ahead for the quartet bring, another fine addition to this year’s festival square line up. Catch them from 8pm to 10pm on the 15th July, and you don’t have to pay a penny.
MIF – Skepta | 17th – 19th July | Secret Location
Skepta invites you to enter another world in this series of intimate and immersive experiences. Held in a secret Manchester location, DYSTOPIA987 is a waking dream that presents Skepta’s singular vision of the future: deep, dark, radical and riveting. Featuring a live set from Skepta, guest appearances from hand-picked performers and DJs, a wealth of new technology and a cast inhabiting a hidden netherworld, DYSTOPIA987 is a journey into eternity – a future riven with uncertainty and fear but rich in wonder and possibility. Since emerging as a producer and MC in 2004, Skepta has become one of the most significant British artists in music today.
MIF – Children of Zeus present Manchester Neo Soul | 18th July | Albert Square
Neo Soul is the fusion of contemporary R&B and 1970’s style soul with elements of hip-hop and it’s certainly the calling card of Manchester’s very own Children of Zeus. Performers Tyler Daley and Konny Kon will be heading to MIF on Thursday 18th with a host of friends and family under their arms – showcasing an evening of the best that Manchester has to offer in the Neo Soul genre.
Bluedot Festival | 18th – 20th July | Jodrell Bank
One of our favourite local festivals is back for another year of music, science and art, set in the heart on Cheshire countryside beneath the radio telescope of Jodrell Bank. The line-up never disappoints, it’s another incredible one! Headliners for 2019 is Hot Chip, Kraftwerk and New Order, and a few to look out for on the line-up is Kate Tempest, The Orielles, Jarvis Cocker and Jon Hopkins, and not to forget all the talks and workshops from leading voices on the world science stage, it certainly is a festival for everyone. There are a few final tickets left, get them here.
MIF – Skittles presents ‘Poor on Purpose’ LIVE | 20th July | Albert Square
Skittles will be presenting his newest album in full LIVE with 8 Gold Rings and The Untold Orchestra. Released in April in a limited edition wooden box, Poor on Purpose received a glowing review from our contributor Dillion who described it as “a great album showcasing one of Manchester’s most talented emcees” with “a sense of a grim reality to growing up in South Manchester.” This performance should be the perfect way to see out MIF in style!
MIF – Queens of the Electronic Underground | 20th July | Ritz
Mary Anne Hobbs (BBC Radio 6 Music) brings together five of the most exciting electronic artists on the planet for an evening of pioneering sound and breath-taking visuals. Don’t miss this immersive journey into the future of electronic music, featuring exclusive sets from:
Jlin – The firebrand musician-producer, fresh from working with Wayne McGregor on Autobiography.
Holly Herndon – Mining the edges of electronic and avant-garde pop.
Aïsha Devi ft. MFO – The radical alchemist teams up with the Berlin-based visual artist.
Klara Lewis – The Swedish musician-composer brings her ‘theatre for the ear’ to the city.
Katie Gately – LA-based musician, sound designer and architect of beautiful abstract pop.
Mary Anne Hobbs – DJ set
A new game commission by Paloma Dawkins inspired by the music of Queens of the Electronic Underground.
Post Animal | 22nd July | YES
Overflowing with riffs and reckless abandon, Post Animal is a psych rock five-piece from the tightly knit Chicago music scene. Since forming in 2015, the band has developed a loyal fan base, howling from the depths of sweaty basement shows and packed rock clubs. Boasting the individual talents of Dalton Allison, Jake Hirshland, Javi Reyes, Wesley Toledo, Matt Williams, and Joe Keery (currently an inactive contributing member), Post Animal has toured and performed with the likes of White Reaper, Twin Peaks, and Wavves.
Joy Orbison | 27th July | Soup Kitchen
Joy Orbison is bringing his much-celebrated brand of garage-house to Manchester’s favourite basement, where he’ll perform alongside Lyster and Rahim. Here’s what to expect. Peter O’Grady, better known as Joy Orbison, has followed an interesting career arc. It began with a startling debut single, ‘Hmph Mngo’, which was released ten years ago. Just as dubstep was beginning to wither under the lights, that floor-filling garage-house belter held out something new to get excited about, inspiring a new wave of producers to follow in O’Grady’s wake. Tickets are only £7 pick one up here.
