Blossoms will be back on home turf tonight with a massive show at Castlefield Bowl.
It’s part of the Sounds of the City summer gig series and will see the Stockport indie-rockers perform on the canal-side outdoor stage.
The group announced the 6 July gig last December, hot off the back of four huge gigs at the O2 Apollo. They’ve also recently torn up the Glastonbury stage with a blistering set with Rick Astley.
Since forming in 2013, Blossoms have gone from strength to strength and quickly asserted themselves as one of the UK’s most recognisable artists- especially here in the north.
Blossoms have four chart-topping albums, from their self-titled debut to last year’s Ribbon Around the Bomb.
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Still to come at Castlefield Bowl after Blossoms will be Two Door Cinema Club, Bastille and Hacienda Classical, with shows from Pulp and The Lathums already finished.
Here’s everything you need to know about Blossoms at Castlefield Bowl.
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Stage times for Blossoms at Castlefield Bowl
Doors – 5.30pm
DJ – 5.30pm
Seb Lowe – 6.45pm
Inspiral Carpets – 7.45pm
Blossoms – 9pm
Who’s supporting Blossoms at Castlefield Bowl?
When they head over to Leeds later this week, Blossoms will be welcoming friend and fellow musician Miles Kane onto the stage with them.
But here, they’re looking much more local, bringing in a legendary Manchester name.
It’ll be Inspiral Carpets supporting the five-piece at Sounds of the City.
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The Oldham-formed band were an instrumental part of the Madchester movement in the late 80s and early 90s, made up of Clint Boon, Graham Lambert, Stephen Holt, Kev Clark and Oscar Boon.
19-year-old rising star Seb Lowe, who started his music career on TikTok but is now dominating much bigger stages, will open the show tonight.
Tickets for Blossoms at Castlefield Bowl
Oh dear, it’s another Sounds of the City gig that’s totally sold out.
Blossoms tickets were initially priced at £44.45 but, as often happens with their homecoming gigs, sold out quickly.
If you’re desperate to go, keep an eye on resale sites but make sure you’re buying from a trustworthy seller so you don’t get ripped off.
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What will Blossoms setlist be?
We’re looking forward to our two big shows in the coming week. We’re starting with a SOLD OUT show at Manchester Castlefield Bowl before heading to Leeds Millennium Square on Sat 8 July with @MilesKaneMusic. There are a limited tickets remaining for Leeds https://t.co/K2cuOr06vEpic.twitter.com/EShsD4YdTc
Blossoms love to pull out surprises at their shows, from special guests to unexpected covers, so you never know exactly what you’re going to get.
But this is their most recent setlist from their gig at HMV Empire in Coventry.
Your Girlfriend Honey Sweet Oh No (I Think I’m in Love) The Keeper Cool Like You Ribbon Around the Bomb How Long Will This Last? Getaway Ode to NYC The Sulking Poet Blown Rose I Can’t Stand It If You Think This Is Real Life Care For Blow At Most a Kiss My Swimming Brain My Favourite Room Encore: There’s a Reason Why (I Never Returned Your Calls) Charlemagne
Weather forecast at Castlefield Bowl, Manchester
Sounds of the City at Castlefield Bowl. Credit: Sam Neill
Castlefield Bowl is an outdoor venue, with only a very small amount of cover by the amphitheatre seating.
It looks like the Manchester rain will hold off tonight, though it’s not exactly screaming summer weather.
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Temperatures are set to peak at 21 degrees, with a low of 15 degrees, according to the Met Office.
It will be cloudy all night, too.
About Castlefield Bowl
Castlefield Bowl is an amphitheatre-style outdoor venue in the city centre.
Although all tickets are billed as unreserved standing, if you’re quick you can take a seat on the large concrete steps that curve around the stage.
Many people also take a perch up on the grassy banks at the back of the venue too.
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Castlefield Bowl is located at 101 Liverpool Road in the city centre.
The closest tram stop is Deansgate-Castlefield, which is only a six-minute walk away.
You can also walk it from the major train stations, or use the 101, 197, 255, 256, 41, 50 or X50 buses.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall Manchester – groovy, hazy and effortlessly cool
Clementine Hall
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall proved exactly why they’ve built such a cult following over the past decade.
Formed in 2010 by frontman Ruban Nielson, the band first broke through with their scrappy, lo-fi self-titled debut and since then, they’ve become known for their signature blend of psychedelic rock, funk, and warped pop.
I first saw the band back in 2023 at Glastonbury, and yes sorry I am one of those annoying people that bring it up all the time.
They’re the perfect band to close your eyes, sway your head and tap your foot to – and that’s exactly what the crowd were doing in unison last night at the Albert Hall.
Image: The Manc Group
From the second they stepped on stage, there was no rush – just that signature hazy groove met with enough stage lights to sink a ship.
You could barely see them on stage, but that made it even cooler. And you can only imagine how gorgeous the Albert Hall looked with hundreds of spotlights in different colours whizzing all over it.
Early tracks simmered and pulled us in before the band stretched out into crowd pleasers like ‘Multi-Love’ and ‘Hunnybee’. What an absolute tune by the way.
Image: The Manc Group
There wasn’t much crowd interaction but, again, there didn’t need to be. They let the music do the talking and by treating us to some of the most epic guitar solos we’ve ever heard (no, seriously), we’ll forgive them for not talking to us.
Each song melted into each other as the band oozed effortless charm and talent throughout the almost two hour set, which is no mean feat.
Of course, a sea of phones shot up for ‘So Good at Being in Trouble‘, their most popular track which prompted a harmonious audience singalong. Not very harmonious by me, admittedly.
It was a fantastic ending that left the audience feeling united by the laidback brilliance of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and I hope they don’t leave it too long to come back this time.
Review | Leon Thomas at Manchester Academy – ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ but this gig healed me
Thomas Melia
American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas visited Manchester Academy last night, performing hits from his deluxe album to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,600.
One year after an exclusive London MUTT Live date, Mr Thomas returns to the UK with the ‘MUTTS DON’T HEEL’ Tour, venturing to five cities, including the music capital of the North: Manchester.
The night started off just how it should’ve done with ‘HEEL’, as the audience were welcomed by the drum-loop and a chill atmosphere from the start.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Leon Thomas gig without at least one Ty Dolla $ign collaboration making the setlist, and there’s plenty to choose from with a new one dropping just over a month ago, ‘miss u 2’.
Leon Thomas performing hits at Manchester Academy (Credit: Audio North)
The funk-influenced musician opted for ‘FAR FETCHED’, and the audience was in the palm of his hand. No matter which of the four link-ups he chose, it was always going to go down well – Manchester never disappoints.
Leon didn’t even have to ask the crowd to bring more energy; they already matched him. When he sings, “For someone who don’t ask for favours, I’ve done way too many favours”, on ‘PARTY FAVORS’, he really meant it.
Last year, Leon Thomas dropped PHOLKS, a project which saw him exploring old-school funk and soul sounds even further and ‘Just How You Are’ had even the shyest dancer pulling out a little two step.
This isn’t the only hit that sent the crowd into a frenzy; ‘Baccarat’ and its impressive psychedelic guitar solo had jaws literally falling to the floor at Manchester Academy.
His songs might not be dramatic or extravagant, but they don’t need to be. Leon’s artistry prevails when he’s softly singing, and you’re still able to detect each instrument.
Leon Thomas brought the MUTTS DON’T HEEL Tour to Manchester Academy (Credit: The Manc)
‘Breaking Point’ is an easy-listening soul track that had all 2,600 Leon Thomas fans in our feelings as we realised we were coming to the end of a phenomenal concert.
And of course, ‘Mutt’ – his biggest single to date: a bouncy and swag-filled number that sticks in your head for weeks on end – sounded even better when backed by a live band as I discovered last night.
There was some insane musicality, distinct bangers and impeccable live arrangements that elevated the original studio recordings. Maybe ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’, but Leon Thomas definitely healed me.
He wasn’t the only cool cat playing last night either:
Daisy Jackson -
6th July 2023 
