Live Music

Manchester is undeniably one of the UK hotspots for live music. With many of its most iconic venues based on the Oxford Road Corridor, we can confidently claim that music is part of our DNA and that we are proud of the long-standing musical heritage that continues to inspire future generations and fuel the city’s night time economy.

Oxford Road Corridor’s love affair with live music dates back as far as 1858 when Sir Charles Hallé formed Manchester’s symphony orchestra at the Lesser Free Trade Hall. Fast forward to 1966 and the Free Trade Hall would become part of musical history again when Bob Dylan was famously heckled for going electric. Ten years later the Sex Pistols played the “gig that changed the world”. Punk was born with Joy Division, The Fall, Magazine and The Smiths, not far behind. 

Famous venues like the Ritz and the Academy have hosted many legendary acts over the years, whilst smaller venues such as YES, The Deaf Institute, Big Hands and Gorilla ensure the city keeps its finger on the pulse with an unrivalled programme of contemporary bands and DJs. For the traditionalists, the RNCM is one of the leading conservatoires in the world and The Bridgewater Hall is home to three resident orchestras: the Hallé, the BBC Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata. 

Keep scrolling to find out more about best live music venues as well as upcoming gigs and concerts.

Upcoming Gigs & Concerts

music La scala di seta: Rossini
Royal Northern College of Music | 17 – 23 March 2024

RNCM students take on Rossini’s one-act opera, La scala di seta for their spring opera, a lively blend of humour and romance.

music The Hallé – Sibelius’s Symphony No.1
The Bridgewater Hall | 20 March 2024

Kristiina Poska, a distinctive interpreter of Sibelius, begins her second visit to the Hallé with Britten’s atmospheric Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes

music Tapir!
Yes | 20 March 2024

Following of their debut album, South-London-based 6-piece Tapir! are on tour and bring enchanting alt-indie folk to YES this March.

music The Next Frontier in Accessible Music-Making
School of Digital Arts (SODA) | 21 March 2024

A groundbreaking event exploring the future of inclusive music-making, at the School of Digital Arts at Manchester Met.

music FaceSoul
Yes | 21 March 2024

FaceSoul, a London-based Somali artist born in East Africa, brings meditative modern R&B and Neo soul to YES.

music Meet Mary In The Junkyard
Yes | 22 March 2024

New experimental indie trio Meet Mary In The Junkyard make their Manchester debut in the YES basement this month.

music Metalheadz with Goldie
Joshua Brooks | 22 March 2024

Metalheadz marks three monumental decades of innovation and influence with an anniversary celebration at Joshua Brooks

music BBC Philharmonic – Rise and Shine
The Bridgewater Hall | 23 March 2024

Leslie Suganandarajah conducts an evening of Mozart, Bruch and Strauss with guest violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing.

music Manchester Punk Festival
Various Venues | 29 – 31 March 2024

After a sell-out success in recent years, the ever-growing Manchester Punk Festival returns in Easter to venues across Oxford Road.

music 1-800 GIRLS
Yes | 29 March 2024

Jake Stewart has successfully located the pleasure centres of UK ravers via the diverse output of his 1-800 GIRLS artist project.

music TAK Ensemble / Distractfold
International Anthony Burgess Foundation | 29 March 2024

Join IABF for Tak ensemble’s Manchester debut with one of our most-admired ensembles in the world, Distractfold.

music Sophie Faith
Yes | 5 April 2024

Sophie Faith channes her most sincere emotions into every note, sharing the most challenging times through the music she creates.

music The Hallé – Adès conducts Tippett
The Bridgewater Hall | 6 April 2024

Thomas Adès starts the second concert of his residency by reviving Barbirolli’s rarely-performed suite of Purcell’s music taken mainly from his stage works.

music Seb Lowe
o2 Ritz Manchester | 12 April 2024

Seb Lowe has a clever knack for combining perfect indie-pop with razor-sharp sights on the state of the world.

music Palehound
Yes | 14 April 2024

Fronted by Ellen Kempner, Palehound bring endlessly catchy grunge-folk with 90’s influenced indie-rock sounds to YES this April.

music Omni
The Deaf Institute | 17 April 2024

Omni bring us sharp, driving songs that land immediately, sporting chopping riffs, staccato beats, and wiry melodies.

music The Buttshakers
Retro Bar | 17 April 2024

A good night guaranteed as The Buttshakers bring warm soul and a handful of rhythm and blues to Retro Bar this April.

music WCLC: Songs of Sustainability
Martin Harris Centre for Music & Drama | 18 April 2024

A concert concerned with the environment and sustainability, born from a collaboration between poet John McAuliffe and composer Richard Whalley.

music Lynks
Manchester Academy | 19 April 2024

A pop-star fed through a Nutribullet. A human bag of speed. The fourth horseman of the queer apocalypse. Lynks is here.

music Maya de Vitry
Retro Bar | 23 April 2024

Maya de Vitry’s dynamic and vibrant voice seems to rise out of some necessity of bringing songs to life, embracing sincerity and playfulness.

music The Hallé – Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto
The Bridgewater Hall | 24 April 2024

Music Director of the Ulster Orchestra and of Opéra National de Lyon, Daniele Rustioni returns to the Hallé.

music BBC Philharmonic – Nordic Noir
The Bridgewater Hall | 27 April 2024

John Storgårds conducts The BBC Philharmonic in an evening of Nordic Noir featuring Lotta Wennäkoski, Sibelius and Bruckner.

music The Hallé Presents: Nitin Sawhney in Concert
The Bridgewater Hall | 4 May 2024

A special evening lies ahead when the internationally renowned composer, musician and producer, Nitin Sawhney CBE, makes his Hallé debut.

music Camera Obscura
Manchester Academy | 6 May 2024

Scottish indie pop darlings Camera Obscura are out on tour for the first time in five years and new music is on its way.

music Gamelan Music from West Java
Martin Harris Centre for Music & Drama | 10 May 2024

Experience the vibrant gamelan music from West Java, Indonesia in a concert that features a variety of classical and contemporary pieces.

music Manchester Collective: Rothko Chapel
The Bridgewater Hall | 10 May 2024

In this audio-visual live concert, musicians and composers turn to the painter’s immense canvases for inspiration, reimagining them through sound and light.

music Hurray for the Riff Raff
Deaf Institute | 11 May 2024

Hurray for the Riff Raff will bring folk rock story-telling and soulful vocals to Deaf Institute this May.

music Rakim
O2 Ritz Manchester | 15 May 2024

Celebrating his nearly four-decade hip-hop career, legendary rapper Rakim formed the blueprint for the future of hip-hop.

music Echobelly
Gorilla | 16 May 2024

Echobelly brings alternative rock vibes to Gorilla this May, promising a night of indie melodies and nostalgic 90s hits.

music MJF: Seance + Testament & Matthew Bourne
The Deaf Institute | 16 May 2024

A moving musical performance, transforming The Deaf Institute venue into a space for connection. An MJF Trailblazer.

Part of Manchester Jazz Festival

music Manchester Jazz Festival
First Street | 17 – 26 May 2024

A spectacular opening weekender, Manchester Jazz Festival at First Street is three days of free live music, food and drink.

music MJF: Nikki Iles Jazz Orchestra
Royal Northern College of Music | 18 May 2024

Award-winning pianist and composer Nikki Iles takes her 20-piece Jazz Orchestra to RNCM as part of Manchester Jazz Festival.

Part of Manchester Jazz Festival

music The Wedding Present
Manchester Academy | 24 May 2024

The Wedding Present’s latest tour sees the band performing ‘Watusi’ in full – together with other classics from their extensive repertoire.

music Gary Numan
o2 Ritz Manchester | 24 May 2024

Electronic music pioneer Gary Numan celebrates the 45th anniversary of his 1979 albums Replicas and The Pleasure Principle.

music Arab Strap
Gorilla | 25 May 2024

Scottish indie rock band Arab Strap returns to Manchester in May in support of their brand new album.

music MJF: John Surman: Words Unspoken
Royal Northern College of Music | 25 May 2024

British composer, saxophonist and clarinettist John Surman will be 80 this year, celebrate with his latest release, Words Unspoken, live at MJF.

Part of Manchester Jazz Festival

music Chastity Belt
Deaf Institute | 12 June 2024

American Northwest indie band Chastity Belt come to Deaf this summer in support of new album, Live Laugh Love.

music Alvvays
o2 Ritz Manchester | 23 June 2024

Alvvays returns to Manchester this summer in celebration of their rapturously received 2022 album Blue Rev.

music Nils Frahm
The Bridgewater Hall | 10 July 2024

Berlin-based pianist, composer and producer Nils Frahm brings a sonic alchemy of ambient textures and atmospheric electronica to The Bridgewater Hall this summer.

music Thomas Dolby
o2 Ritz Manchester | 17 August 2024

GRAMMY Award-nominated Thomas Dolby’s impressive career has spanned over 35 years. Catch him at The Ritz this August.

music Manchester Psych Fest 2024
Various Venues | 31 August 2024

Manchester Psych Fest is an all-day celebration of psychedelic music and art, returning to the Oxford Road Corridor in August.

music WOMEX 
Manchester Central | 23 – 27 October 2024

International music convention WOMEX comes to Manchester this October, after the city won its bid to host on behalf of the UK and Ireland.

See what’s on