Sun Ra Arkestra & Pete Rock | 1st May | Gorilla
Any gig by Sun Ra is bound to involve lots of instruments, lots of singing and plenty of surreal moments typically involving glitter, spaceships or a combination of the two. The huge procession of performers will be heading to Gorilla this May alongside peerless producer and rapper Pete Rock who first hit the scene in 1998 with “Soul Survivor”.
Loyle Carner | 1st May | Band on the Wall
Benjamin Gerrard Coyle-Larner, better known by the stage name Loyle Carner, is an English hip hop musician and actor. His sound has been described by NME as “sensitive and eloquent” and by The Guardian as “confessional hip-hop”. Carners debut album, ‘Yesterday’s Gone’, was nominated for the 2017 Mercury Prize. His stage name Loyle Carner is a spoonerism of his double-barrelled surname as well as a reference to his childhood struggle with ADHD and dyslexia. The gig at Band on the Wall has sold out however you can join the waiting list for any unwanted tickets.
Sam Fender | 2nd May | The Ritz
Following a hectic year of touring and becoming one of the hottest new names in the industry, BRITs Critics’ Choice winner, Sam Fender launched into 2019 with new single, ‘Play God’. A taste of what’s to come from his debut full-length, he’ll also be performing it, and many other favourites, on his headline tour. The Geordie lad is smashing his way up the venues, we recently saw him at Soup Kitchen and Gorilla, he is back playing the Ritz. It’s a complete sell out! So check out Twickets for any face value resale.
Judge Jules | 3rd May | Gorilla
The legendary UK Radio DJ Judge Jules performs live at Gorilla this month! An incredible career that has notched up hundreds of thousands of miles, countless gigs in far-flung destinations and numerous awards, has meant that Jules is firmly established as a household name amongst electronic music fans. Jules has played at every top club night in the UK, as well as packed out fields at the UKs best festivals and weekenders. It’s going to be a great Friday night gig, grab your ticket here.
Lee Fields & The Expressions | 3rd May | Manchester Academy
A man with a voice as smooth as butter, Lee Fields will be dragging his Expressions down to Manchester Academy this May, serving up a whole host of silky ballads and smooth tunes. He’s been touring and recording pretty much non-stop since 1969 and it shows – Lee is a master of the audience on the stage and you’ll instantly find yourself paying attention to nothing else for the duration of the set.
Fat White Family | 4th May | The Ritz
Fat White Family are back with the lush and masterful new album, Serfs Up! which sees the band somewhat reborn and sophisticated. If you want to experience what that sounds like live, then you can join them as they take their incendiary live show on the road this month! They play a DJ set around the corner at YES basement, tickets to the after-party are only £5, grab your tickets to both, here.
Sounds from the Other City | 5th May | Islington Mill
Salford’s annual celebration of new up-and-coming music, performance and art returns to Islington Mill this May Day Bank Holiday and with it you can expect over 40 different acts performing over the course of the day. It’s a diverse mixture of bands, solo artists, art collectives, visual artists and DJ’s from all over the world and at different stages of their career – and they’ll all be under one roof for your viewing pleasure.
Crazy P (Live) | 5th May | Gorilla
Coinciding with the launch of their new album ‘Age Of The Ego’, Crazy P are back beneath the railway tracks this May Bank Holiday Sunday. Last year’s show was a sell out and this show is looking to do the same. Crazy P have been about for over two decades consistently pumping out some of the best Nu Disco and Funky House. They bring their live show for this tour creating dance music with a voice, a heart, and soul. Grab your tickets here.
Peter Doherty & The Puta Madres | 9th May | The Ritz
Famed for his work with The Libertines and Babyshambles, Peter Doherty is back with his band, The Puta Madres, for a tour to celebrate the release of their raw, reflective and playful self-titled debut album. Last few tickets available.
SOAK | 10th May | Band On The Wall
SOAK aka Bridie Monds-Watson, is a singer/songwriter from Derry in Northern Ireland. She broke onto Derry’s music scene at 14, recording demos and gigging. In 2012 she self-released Numb, Snow and Trains followed by Fingers Crossed, Sea Creatures and Doorstep. SOAK is now on tour! Fresh off releasing new single ‘Everybody Loves You’ Birdie Monds-Watson is hitting the road this month, with shows in Kendal, Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham, Oxford, Bristol and London, and she plays the wonderful Band on the Wall on the 10th May, get your ticket here.
Ross from Friends | 10th May | The Ritz
British producer aka Felix Clary Weatherall is doing a UK tour fresh from his debut album release last year ‘Family Portraits’. RFF has been prolific for several years with 2018 being a huge year, he released his first two debut EP’s and raised the line ups of every show he played. His lo-fi house sets bring chilled-out house grooves mixed with heavy traditional techno beats. He is playing a gig at the Ritz this month, get your tickets here.
De La Soul & Wu-Tang Clan | 11th May | Manchester Arena
Wu-Tang Clan, Public Enemy and De La Soul are on tour together to mark the anniversaries of their landmark hip-hop albums, the mammoth ‘Gods of Rap’ tour celebrates the groups iconic records; ‘Enter The Wu-Tang 36 Chambers’, Public Enemy’s ‘It Takes a Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back’ and De La Soul’s ‘3 Feet High And Rising’. Collectively all three groups have performed sell out shows across the globe and created revolutionary music that has influenced millions of people worldwide. This show will see the Gods of Rap each perform iconic sets that are not to be missed! Last few tickets still available.
FAC 51 The Hacienda | 17th May | Albert Hall
FAC 51 The Hacienda returns to Albert Hall for a special club night on Friday 17th May. Its first party this year in its hometown sees DJ legends Roger Sanchez and Todd Terry grace the decks as the two top US heavyweights head the bill. Joined by fellow American Chez Damier, the trio of American DJ’s have all come to soundtrack both FAC 51 and the dance scene worldwide. From The Hacienda side, three of the original club’s residents, Graeme Park, Greg Wilson and Tom Wainwright round up an outstanding line up.
The Midnight Hour – Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Adrian Younge | 18th May | YES
Two of hip-hop’s most accomplished composers and producers have joined forces on a new project – The Midnight Hour – and you can experience it first-hand at YES this month. Comprised of Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge, The Midnight Hour is a soul/jazz/hip hop album which continues the conversations started by yesterday’s jazz and funk pioneers; those that created the bedrock of samples for hip hop producers in the 80s/90s.
Blossoms | 18th & 24th May | Academy & Victoria Warehouse
The past couple years have seen Blossoms play live to sold-out venues and packed festival stages across the UK and Europe. Blossoms recently released their second album, Cool Like You, and it charted at No.4 in the UK album chart. Blossoms recently sold out their entire December 2018 UK tour in one day, selling over 25,000 tickets in the process. And now they’ve announced a huge hometown show for June 2019 at Stockport County’s Edgeley Park Stadium with The Coral, Cabbage, The Blinders and Fuzzy Sun. You have plenty of opportunity to catch them on this year’s tour. They play; Manchester Academy on the 18th May, Victoria Warehouse on the 24th May and then they are back in June playing PARKLIFE!
FW: MSP Band Photo
Manic Street Preachers | 20th & 21st May | The Ritz
Manic Street Preachers are commemorating the 20th anniversary of their number one, BRIT Award-winning album, This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours, by playing some of their favourite intimate venues in the UK. Performing the album in its entirety, fans will also get to hear other hits and rarities throughout the night. The gig has already sold out however you can put your name in the waiting list for any last minute resale tickets.
Image: Michael Buishas
Big Thief | 22nd May | The Ritz
Brooklyn’s indie rockers Big Thief, Adrianne Lenker (guitar, vocals), Buck Meek (guitar), Max Oleartchik (bass), and James Krivchenia (drums) are back. This is Big Thief’s first tour since their sophomore album ‘Capacity’ dropped last year. They released the EP ‘Wide Winged Bird’ earlier this year. If you haven’t seen them already now is your chance to see them in one of Manchester’s best venues. Grab your ticket here.
Kamasi Washington | 24th May | Manchester Academy
Hands down coolest band in this month’s preview is Kamasi’s, recently on Jools Holland the band cut a diverse figure with the commanding figure of Washington at the front with his trademark sax. His modern take on jazz has brought a new audience and treads the line between Jazz and hip-hop. He’s recently worked as the musical director for Kendrick Lamar’s new album and has become a poster boy for modern jazz.
Neighbourhood Weekender | 25th & 26th May | Victoria Park
Following on from its hugely successful debut event last year, Neighbourhood Weekender returns for round two on 25th & 26th May 2019. Taking place at Warrington’s Victoria Park, the festival is set to welcome the very biggest names from the rock and indie music scene, the line-up this year is huge! On Saturday we have George Ezra and Primal Scream headlining, and on the Sunday is Richard Ashcroft and the Vaccines. There are still a few tickets left.
Children of Zeus | 24th May | Manchester Cathedral
Having released their debut album Travel Light to critical acclaim, Manchester duo Children Of Zeus are putting on this massive gig at the iconic Manchester Cathedral this May. After a busy year that saw the duo take on a big nine-date UK tour, this one be brilliant.
DOT TO DOT | 24th May | Various Venues
This year’s Dot To Dot line-up includes; CRYSTAL FIGHTERS, JORDAN RAKEI, SWIM DEEP, THE NIGHT CAFÉ, DREAM WIFE, THE ORIELLES, LAUREN AQUILINA, VIAGRA BOYS, MINI MANSIONS plus loads more will head to Manchester, on Friday 24th May for its 15th year. The award-winning day long festival will once again feature a line-up full of both established performers and the best emerging artists from the UK and around the world.
KRS One | 25th May | Manchester Academy
When it comes to hip hop, no one is as consistent and influential as KRS-One . It is impossible to discuss Hip Hop’s history without discussing KRS-One. His reputation as both a live performer and as hip hop’s resident ´´Teacha” has reached mythic proportions. Throughout his 20-year career trajectory legendary pioneer Kris Parker, who goes by the pseudonym KRS-One (Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone), has given fans over a dozen classic Hip-Hop albums.
Lizzo | 26 May | The Ritz
The alt rapper and singer was born in Detroit, grew up in Houston Texas, and then moved to Minneapolis Minnesota and has given us Eps and albums Lizzobangers in 2013 and Big Grrl Small World in 2015 spawning several singles Batches and Cookies, Good As Hell and more recently Boys, her first with Atlantic Records, who she is now signed with. Her new album ‘Cuz I Love You’ is out now, and she is on tour, she has even been confirmed for this year’s Glasto! The gig has sold out already but if you are keen to go, get yourself on the waiting list for any resale tickets.
Riot Jazz Brass Band | 30th May | Band On The Wall
Riot Jazz Brass Band hail from the grimy protoplasm of Manchester’s prolific creative scene, debuting in 2013 when they revealed “Sousamaphone”. Following that they’ve cultivated a strong fan base both in the city and further afield, so you should expect this one to be a sell-out.
Gaika | Thu 30 May | YES
Band on the Wall and Now Wave present Gaika live in the Pink Room right at the end of May, and you’re in for a treat if you manage to get yourself a ticket. Being called “one of the most provocative and multi-talented young artists of this generation”, this artist from South London is certainly one to watch. Hi first album ‘Basic Volume’ has been described as “gothic dancehall and industrial electronics”. Hmmm.
