There’s an absolute glut of gigs this June. Maybe it’s the solstice or something. Whatever it is, we’ve got everything from pop megastars to rock legends to block parties to underground dance music to get well stuck into.
Oh, and big party in a field in Prestwich.
Get involved.
Billy Ocean
Following the 40th anniversary of his landmark album Suddenly, the legendary Billy Ocean has announced a huge UK tour for June 2025. The Very Best of Billy Ocean will see him perform all of his greatest hits and fan favourites across 14 dates, including a show in Manchester. He will perform at O2 Apollo on Wednesday 4 June 2025.
Matty Matheson
International chef, three-time New York Times best-selling author and star of The Bear, Matty Matheson brings his European tour to Manchester, talking all things Soups, Salads and Sandwiches. Joined by best friend and fellow Bear star Ricky Staffieri, expect an unhinged evening of laughs, conversation and insights into Matty’s World.
The Coronas
Following the release of their eighth studio album Thoughts and Observations, which entered the Irish charts at number one, The Coronas bring their live show to Manchester. The multi-platinum band, who previously supported Bruce Springsteen at Hyde Park, will play at The Deaf Institute on Thursday 5 June 2025.
Massive Attack
Pioneering trip hop collective Massive Attack take on Co-op Live in their first UK tour in years. Formed in Bristol in the late 1980s, the critically-acclaimed band are behind hits including Teardrop and Unfinished Sympathy – the latter earning them a string of award nominations in the 90s. You can catch the duo, consisting of Robert ‘3D’ Del Naja and Grant ‘Daddy G’ Marshall, on stage at Co-op Live on Thursday 5 June 2025.
The Twang
Band on the Wall presents the Exchange Series, welcoming renowned artists to the round at the Royal Exchange Theatre. The iconic Manchester venue will welcome music fans as they host Birmingham-based indie rockers The Twang on Friday 6 June. Formed in 2004, The Twang have enjoyed hits including Either Way and Wide Awake, and have been a staple of the UK music scene for over two decades.
Morrissey
The one and very much only Morrissey returns to Manchester for a homecoming gig at Co-op Live. The former Smiths frontman will play the arena on Saturday 7 June 2025 as part of three exclusive UK tour dates.
Sleazy F Baby
Catch Cult of the Damned’s rap maestro Sleazy F Baby on 7 June for his first Manchester headline show of the year, in the newly refurbished Stage & Radio basement. Having honed his craft in youth-club cyphers alongside the likes of Bugzy Malone and Slay, and after debuting on Blah Records with All Black Tracksuit and touring globally with Ocean Wisdom, Sleazy’s live energy is legendary. Expect an electric atmosphere and possibly even surprise guest appearances.
Stock Party 2025
Stock Party celebrates Stockport’s vibrant independent scene by showcasing the best in local food, drink, music and creativity. This year, with the continued support of Totally Stockport, the festival expands beyond Underbank and Robinsons Brewery Yard to include the iconic Stockport Market Place. Live music will soundtrack the streets, with performances across multiple stages curated by some of Stockport’s most exciting collectives – including M06B, SK1 Records, PINK, and Ōdiobā. The legendary SK1 Stage returns, featuring a standout lineup of DJs performing in the Underbanks, with The Red Bull and Bruk keeping the music going all day long too.
Waxahatchee
Waxahatchee recently received her first Grammy nomination for Best Americana Album, with her recently released and much-acclaimed LP Tigers Blood, and we’re delighted to share that she’s returning to Manchester, for a performance at the stunning Albert Hall. Behind the pseudonym is Katie Crutchfield, born in Alabama, USA. Six critically acclaimed albums in, and years of sacrificing herself to work on the road, Crutchfield’s songwriting is at its most potent yet.
Courtney Pine
Band On The Wall presents the Exchange Series, where renowned artists perform in the round at the iconic Royal Exchange Theatre. House of Legends celebrates the influence and contributions to the UK from the many varied people of the Caribbean and re-release of Courtney Pine’s ground-breaking debut album Journey To The Urge Within. The multi-instrumentalist has led a generation of exciting and innovative players who have broadened their styles to take jazz out to a wider audience. Now with an OBE and CBE for services to music, he continues to break new ground and numerous prestigious Industry awards.
Robbie Williams
The singular Robbie Williams – one of the biggest-selling artists in UK pop history – will be playing all across the UK, Ireland and Europe on his 2025 tour. Expect all the hits – Angels, Rock DJ, Millennium, She’s The One – when the tour lands in Manchester on 11 June 2025.
Lionel Richie
Global music icon Lionel Richie brings his Say Hello To The Hits tour to Manchester. The Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe award-winner, who has sold over 125 million records worldwide, is responsible for anthems including Hello, All Night Long and Dancing On The Ceiling, not to mention his hits with The Commodores, from Easy to Brick House. Lionel will perform at Co-op Live in Manchester on 12 and 13 June 2025.
Moovin Festival 2025
Moovin Festival, Stockport’s boutique music event returns for its 11th edition on 13 to 15 June 2025. Taking place at the picturesque Whitebottom Farm in Compstall (in the glorious Etherow Country Park), acts on the bill include headliners Ezra Collective alongside Roni Size, Erol Alkan, Craig Charles, The Sugarhill Gang, Luke Una, Graeme Park and loads more.
Parklife 2025
Back for its 15th year, Parklife will be taking over Heaton Park for another jam-packed summer rave-up, signalling the start of festival season. You know the drill. The stellar line-up this year features Charli XCX, 50 Cent, Jorja Smith, Peggy Gou, Bicep, Overmono, Confidence Man, Rudimental, Skream & Benga, Andy C, Armand Van Helden, Joy Orbison and Todd Edwards.
R.A. The Rugged Man
Doctor’s Orders presents NYC underground legend R.A.
The Rugged Man’s first full original-lineup show in 20 years.
Expect three decades of razor-sharp battle rhymes, raw storytelling and unapologetic social commentary as Rugged Man tears through classics, deep cuts and new material alongside his reunited crew.
Osees
Exhaustingly prolific Los Angeles outfit Osees haven’t slowed down with their 29th album Sorcs 80, a collection of garage, psych, and noise rock. Fronted by the inimitable John Dwyer, this is a show not to be missed.
Santana
GRAMMY Award-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Latin rock legend Carlos Santana hits the road for additional dates of the Oneness Tour with his iconic band. Santana will perform high-energy, passion-filled songs from their 50-year career at Co-op Live in Manchester on 19 June, 2025.
DJ Jazzy Jeff
West Philadelphia, born and raised, the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff is coming to Manchester. He was just 10-years-old when he started spinning records at parties and since 1985 has wowed audiences with his truly flawless turntable skills, innovative production and musical versatility. Famed for tunes with his sidekick Will Smith (as well as producing the likes of Jill Scott), expect wall-to-wall hip hop bangers all night long at Band On The Wall on Friday 20 June.
Blossoms
Part of the Forest Live series, Stockport’s finest will headline a show under the stars at Delamere Forest in Cheshire on Saturday 21 June. Blossoms – aka Tom, Joe, Myles, Charlie and Josh – will be cranking out tracks from five albums of bangers, including last year’s uproariously received Gary. Support will come from singer-songwriter Seb Lowe and Mancunian rising stars The Guest List.
Gary Barlow
Take That don Gary Barlow will be performing a homecoming gig at Cheshire’s Forestry England Delamere on Saturday 14 June as part of his solo Songbook Tour. The Songbook Tour will celebrate Gary’s status as one of Britain’s most successful songwriters and record producers. As part of the group Take That, he has won eight BRIT Awards and sold over 45 million records.
Pulp
Bringing anthemic indie pop to the very commonest of common people, Jarv and the crew land for a night of corduroy-clad mayhem at Co-op Live on 21 June. Get ready to bellow out Disco 2000, Do You Remember The First Time and, of course, Common People till you’re hoarse.
Digitalism
The mighty Digitalism are in town for an intimate set in the basement at YES. Jens Moelle and İsmail Tüfekçi will be locked in for an evening of sturdy electro, techno detonations and general back-to-back party vibes. It’ll be a blast.
Bright Eyes
Nearly three decades into their magnificent musical career, the Conor Oberst-fronted project, Bright Eyes, are returning to Manchester on 21 June, following the 2024 release of their visceral new album Five Dice, All Threes. A tight-knit group; multi-instrumentalists Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott join Orberst to complete the trio’s line-up. With this latest LP, the band invited like-minded voices onto the record with them, with notable guest appearances from Cat Power, The National’s Matt Berninger, and Alex Orange Drink, the frontman of the New York punk band The So So Glos.
Sticky Heat Fifth Birthday with Optimo (Espacio)
A bit like royalty, Sticky Heat are having a few birthdays this year, to celebrate five years in the rave-up business. After hosting Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor at The Yard a couple of months back, they’ll be taking to the controls at Freight Island with special guests Optimo (Espacio), direct from Glasgow. Expect the unexpected, plus support sets from Sticky Heat ressies Massey, Marco and Muddy Feet.
Iron Maiden
To mark 50 years since Steve Harris formed the UK’s most iconic metal band in 1975, Iron Maiden bring their Run For Your Lives tour to Co-op Live on 22 June. Maiden fans are promised a very special set list, spanning the nine studio albums from Iron Maiden to Fear Of The Dark, in what is being called ‘their most spectacular and elaborate show ever’.
Jeru The Damaja
Brooklyn legend Jeru The Damaja honed his razor-sharp rhymes from age ten before storming the early ’90s scene with Gang Starr on “I’m The Man” and dropping his breakthrough anthem “Come Clean” on The Sun Rises in the East. Followed by classics like “Ya Playin’ Yaself” and “Me or the Papes” on The Wrath of the Math, he’s rightly dubbed “the saviour of hip-hop” for his hardcore-conscious style—a true East Coast icon.
Diana Ross: A Symphonic Celebration
Motown legend Diana Ross comes to Co-op Live for a Symphonic Celebration of her incredible career, performing with Manchester’s very own Hallé Orchestra. Taking to the stage on 26 June, the icon will bring the best tunes from her last five decades of music, including I’m Coming Out, Upside Down, Endless Love and many (many, like loads) more.
TV on the Radio
After a pause of several years, TV on the Radio are back. The influential Brooklyn outfit have reissued their debut album, Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes for a special 20th Anniversary edition and they’re back on select stages, with a show at Albert Hall in Manchester on the 27 June. In the 10 years since their last album Seeds, each of the members have explored other creative side projects, ranging from the studio to the screen. And now, they adapt again, ready to embark on the next phase of what has been a remarkable story. For this chapter, the band is centered around Tunde, Kyp and Jaleel, beginning with a series of live shows planned for 2024-5 in New York, Los Angeles, and London. Sitek remains a part of the legacy of the band, an ever-present piece, but is unable to participate in the live shows.
Black Uhuru
The most successful of the second-generation reggae bands, Jamaica’s Black Uhuru come to Manchester this June. The first Reggae outfit to win a Grammy, Black Uhuru are led by mainstay Derrick ‘Duckie’ Simpson. Fans can watch the band at Band On The Wall on Saturday 28 June.
Olivia Rodrigo
Pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo lands for two rescheduled dates at Manchester’s Co-op Live. Initially meant to perform on 3 and 4 May 2024, the GUTS hitmaker will now headline the arena on 30 June and 1 July 2025.
