Our curated list of all the best things happening across Greater Manchester this week...
Another week, another jam-packed roster of things to get up to. We’re rich in outdoor concerts as Wet Leg, Johnny Marr and more descend on Castlefield Bowl for their annual summer series, while over at The Yard in Cheetham Hill there’s a celebration of diverse music cultures in the form of Sound Bazaar day festival.
One of our favourite spots in Marple Bridge are celebrating all things Pinot Noir (why wouldn’t they?), and a flea market – the al fresco sibling of ReMarket vintage emporium – comes to sunny Cutting Room Square. Oh, and there might be a bit of footy, too…
Here’s the best things to do in Manchester this week…
Def Leppard
Few bands carry the torch for the golden era of British rock quite like Leppard. Though they’ve spent the better part of the last four decades conquering American stadiums, there is always something particularly right about seeing the Sheffield legends on North West soil. They’ve managed to outlast almost all of their peers by leaning into precision-engineered hooks and the kind of high-gloss production that hasn’t aged a day since the days of Hysteria. Expect a setlist that works its way through the heavy hitters of Hysteria and Pyromania, delivered with the technical polish of a band that hasn’t slowed down. Support for this one comes from fellow 80s hair-metal dons Extreme.
Wet Leg
Few bands have risen quite as quickly as Wet Leg. The Isle of Wight outfit exploded onto the scene with Chaise Longue and have spent the years since collecting awards, selling out tours and building a reputation as one of Britain’s most entertaining live acts. Their Sounds of the City show – part of the ever-brilliant summer series of gigs at Castlefield Bowl – promises plenty of the sharp post-punk riffs, huge choruses and a tongue-in-cheek approach that’s made them huge indie stars.
An Evening With Simon Shaw & Alfredo Arribas
El Gato chef and founder Simon Shaw is creating a one-night-only multi-course menu built around wines from acclaimed Priorat producer Alfredo Arribas, from one of Spain’s most respected wine regions. Known for its steep Catalan vineyards, slate soils and bold, expressive reds, Priorat has become a benchmark for wines with proper depth and real character. Each course has been designed to complement a different bottle, with guests guided through the pairings across the evening, alongside tasting notes, producer insights, bespoke dishes from the kitchen, and the chance to purchase bottles to take home afterwards.
Kevin Morby
Acclaimed indie-folk songwriter Kevin Morby heads to Manchester as part of his UK tour behind Little Wide Open, his eighth studio album, produced by The National’s Aaron Dessner. Described by Pitchfork as ‘the most cohesive, tuneful and cleanly drawn album of Morby’s career’, the record provides the backdrop for a show packed with introspective songwriting, rich melodies and highlights from across Morby’s celebrated catalogue.
Sounds of the City: Johnny Marr
Former Smith and all-round Manchester guitar icon Johnny Marr is coming home to headline Sounds of the City, bringing decades of influential songwriting and one of British music’s most celebrated catalogues to Castlefield Bowl. A charming man indeed. He’s joined on the bill by fellow Mancunians Everything Everything, bringing their energetic, boilersuit-clad alt-pop to proceedings.
Expressions of Pinot Noir
Fold Bistro is hosting a relaxed tasting dedicated to Pinot Noir, opening four different bottles from its bottle shop to show just how varied the grape can be. Expect everything from lighter, more delicate styles to richer, more complex pours, with the team also demonstrating how serving Pinot slightly chilled can change its aroma, texture and flavour. It promises to be a gorgeous evening in lovely Marple Bridge.
The Streets
Mike Skinner – aka The Streets – returns for a full UK tour, playing his 2004 set A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full, as part of the annual Sounds of the City festival – playing two dates at Castlefield Bowl. So we’re talking bangers like Fit But You Know It and Blinded By The Lights, and Dry Your Eyes Mate to get you in the feels. Summer, Skinner, Castlefield Bowl. We’re there.
We Are Football Festival England Quarter Final at Depot Mayfield
England are into the World Cup quarter-finals, and 4TheFans are going big. Like, really big. They’re expanding beyond Freight Island and into the cavernous Depot Mayfield to create the We Are Football Festival, a huge fan park experience with space for a staggering 13,000 fans. Expect giant anti-glare screens, a stadium-style sound system, pyrotechnics, CO2 cannons, DJs, giveaways, Sky Sports presenters, England legends, food, bars and the sort of atmosphere you’ll still be talking about if this really is the year that it comes home.
Charity Super.Mkt
Charity Super.Mkt is bringing three days of curated second-hand fashion to the Arndale, with vintage finds, band tees, football tops, denim and one-off pieces sourced from charities including the British Heart Foundation and the RSPCA. Co-founded by Wayne Hemingway MBE, whose own fashion story runs through Afflecks, King Street and Red or Dead, the pop-up gives charity shopping a proper city-centre moment, with sustainability, Manchester fashion history and a decent rummage all rolled into one.
Sound Bazaar Festival
Hubble Bubble’s Sound Bazaar brings together more than 10 live acts, DJs and performers for a mini day festival built around global rhythms, genre-blending sounds and cultural exchange. Alongside music across multiple stages, there’ll be special performances and workshops for adults and children, with the event also supporting a wider project working with refugee youth and celebrating diversity through music, creativity and community.
ReMarket Flea Market
Cutting Room Square will be taken over by the good people at ReMarket for a summer flea market, bringing together independent traders, small businesses and plenty of stalls to browse through. Expect a relaxed day of bargain hunting, gift shopping and supporting Manchester makers, whether you’re heading down with something specific in mind or just having a nose around. A perfect Sunday activity, in our opinion.
Stockport Vintage Spectacular
Stockport’s Victorian Market Hall is going full time warp for a huge vintage fair, bringing together traders selling homeware, fashion, jewellery, art, ceramics and vinyl beneath the building’s distinctive ironwork and stained glass. There’ll also be live swing music from Leeds City Stompers, a retro bike display, close-up magic from Michael Diamond, free colour analysis tasters with Sophie Yesufu, and vintage double decker bus rides for ticket holders. If you’re into anything and everything vintage, this one’s for you.