Jungle will be performing a huge, sold-out show in Manchester this week as part of the Sounds of the City summer gig series.
The British electronic masters will be taking to the stage at Castlefield Bowl on Thursday, stepping in the footsteps of huge gigs that have already happened like Avril Lavigne and Fatboy Slim.
Fresh from their jaw-dropping Glastonbury set, the tour follows the release of their fourth studio album, Volcano.
Founded by childhood best friends Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland more than a decade ago, Jungle have now grown into a music collective often celebrated for being one of the best live acts in the world.
Jungle will be at Castlefield Bowl in Manchester on Thursday 11 July, and if you’re one of the lucky ones who managed to grab tickets, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know.
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Tickets for Jungle at Castlefield Bowl, Manchester
Castlefield Bowl in Manchester last week when Avril Lavigne opened Sounds of the City – now it’s time for Jungle
Tickets for Jungle were in huge demand, helped along by their hit single Back on 74 going completely viral last year.
It’s currently completely sold out, though there’s always a chance of a last-minute release of extra tickets – keep checking See Tickets for the latest availability.
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You can also try and nab some through resale sites, but always use trusted fan-to-fan platforms for these.
Who’s supporting Jungle for their Manchester gig?
Writer and producer Mood Talk, aka Jamie Lloyd Taylor, will be warming up the Castlefield Bowl crowds for Jungle.
The dance floor favourite has worked closely with the Jungle duo over the years, including on Don’t Play from their latest album.
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His latest single Girl was released on Grammy nominated ODESZA’s label ‘Foreign Family Collective’, receiving high praise by the likes of Annie Mac, The Blessed Madonna, Honey Dijon and Todd Edwards.
Castlefield Bowl hasn’t been particularly on it with sharing stage times for any of the Sounds of the City gigs so far.
All we know is that doors open at 5.30pm and curfew is 11pm.
But based on previous events, Jungle should be on stage somewhere between 8.45pm and 9pm.
Expected setlist
Jungle have been very busy on the festival circuit lately, so their setlists have been changing around a bit.
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The one we get at Castlefield Bowl may look a little different – and a little longer – than this, but it gives you a good idea of what to expect.
Busy Earnin’ Candle Flame Dominoes The Heat Heavy, California Beat 54 (All Good Now) Problemz I’ve Been in Love Back on 74 Casio Us Against the World Fire What D’You Know About Me Time Truth You Ain’t No Celebrity Coming Back Don’t Play All of the Time Holding On GOOD TIMES Encore Keep Moving
How to get there
Castlefield Bowl (M3 4JR) is on Rice Street just down Liverpool Road which cuts off the main Deansgate strip in the city centre and you can enter Manchester’s much-loved outdoor amphitheatre via Duke or Castle Street.
It’s just a short walk from Deansgate train station or the Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop, where you’ll find regular trams running all over Greater Manchester.
If you’re driving there, Great Northern Warehouse’s (M3 4EE) car park, as well as two other NCPs near Bridgewater Hall and on Quay Street in Spinningfields.
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Weather forecast in Manchester for Jungle’s gig
The weather out there isn’t exactly giving *summer*, is it – and sadly it’s not about to improve much for the rest of the Sounds of the City gig series.
At the time of writing, the Met Office is predicting highs of 16 degrees, with light rain.
It is meant to dry up by the time doors to Castlefield Bowl open though. Keep those fingers crossed.
Jungle after-party and DJ set in Manchester
Not ready to stop the Jungle party at Castlefield Bowl? Yeah, us neither.
They’ll be carrying on your Thursday night knees-up with a DJ set at New Century, running between 11pm and 4am.
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You can book your tickets for the Jungle DJ set here.
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 -
9th July 2024 
