And here we are: it’s officially time for the final round-up of Manchester bands and artists for 2024 and what a year it’s been for tunage.
We started this feature back in January and each month we’ve given you five different acts, be they big, small, unsigned or unsung, new on the scene or veterans that deserve more attention.
Fast forward to December and now we’re ready for our last batch of suggestions for new music from around Greater Manchester that you may or may not have heard yet.
The question is, are you ready? Let’s give it one last spin around the turntables.
New Manchester music you should check out to start the new year
1. Morgan Seatree
Speaking of turntables, it seems only fitting to start with a Manchester-based DJ Morgan Seatree, whose tunes have already queued up at a fair few tunes ready for our New Year’s Eve playlist. Born and bred in 0161, not only has he smashed the likes of The Warehouse Project but his sound is already going global.
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His inspirations include Kerri Chandler, Paul Woolford, Disclosure, Larry Heard and more, and his catchy brand of mixes has already attracted attention from other big names in the electronic scene, including Patrick Topping, Folamour, Jamie Jones and more.
Music made for nothing but dancing and good times, his ear for easily recognisable hooks and infectious beats means you’ll only be hearing more of his as time goes on. Our picks to start with include ‘Hit It!’, ‘Good Life’ and his ‘Say My Name’ remix. He’s also responsible for this iconic clip from a Fallowfield flat:
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The kind of vibes we're after this #NewYearsEve. 🙌😅
Next up to bat are the truly brilliant Dirty Laces who have been going for a few years now but we still think are criminally underrated on the Manc music scene. Not only do they blend a great mix of American rock and roll influences with 90s and 2000s UK roots, but their latest work looks to be a real evolution.
There have always been proto-punk elements to their sound and wonderful guitar solos, as well as what we would liken to Led Zeppelin, Queens of the Stone Age, Shed Seven, and even hints of Velvet Revolver on tracks like ‘These Days’ – imagine ‘Slither’ mixed with She Builds Quick Machines’.
However, it feels like we’re starting to hear them pulling in a slightly new direction and trying new things; there’s no better example of this than their recent singles, ‘Quiet Space’ and ‘If I Go’, which we’ve had on repeat for a few weeks now. ‘Seeker’, ‘Midnight Mile’ and ‘Old Friend’ are where we’d start though.
Third on our list is the immense throwback that is a young man called Elliot James Reay: the 22-year-old singer-songwriter from Bury but with a sound harkening back to the end of America’s ‘Golden Age’, where pop rolled into rock and vice versa.
Taking inspiration from the likes of Elvis Presley and deep obsessions with Roy Orbison, not only in terms of the music but look and overall style, this up-and-coming solo artist feels like he was born in the wrong era but will happily keep the fight alive with the help of vintage jackets, slicked-back hair and a guitar.
He’s only got a small handful of tunes so far, so it won’t feel too overwhelming to get through his discography either but you can also enjoy a selection of his old world covers including tracks by Orbison, Elvis, Paul Anka and more.
A Manchester artist with a straight out of the American South.
4. Florentenes
Number four of December 2024 is Florentenes from Bolton – well, Westhoughton to be more specific; are they named after the old tea room and bakery in the centre? We couldn’t possibly say, all we know is they’re very a talented group of young lads helping put the town’s music scene on the map.
Their debut EP 14:17 dropped back in November and there’s already a very clear stylistic idea in their heads even at such a young age. Melancholy nonchalant vocals that burst into shrieks and rip-roaring guitars are reminiscent of The Stokes, The Hives, Palaye Royale and even Frank Carter at times, but there are also early Arctic Monkeys drumming as well pacey Surf Curse-esque guitar riffs. There is a lot of different stuff going on, basically.
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Again, they’ve only five tunes to get through just yet so this would be a great time to latch onto them before they inevitably start gaining more momentum next year. You don’t write build-ups, breakouts and literal screams like the one lead vocalist Will Smith (not that one) delivers in ‘Glue’ and not go anywhere. Watch this space.
And our last pick of the year goes to local lads Bayboards who are another local outfit that we’re getting very excited about going in 2025, for a couple of reasons. Let us explain…
Maybe it’s just how we process music or some weird serendipity, but we happened to discover these guys not long after hearing the news of Sundara Karma calling it a day and, fortunately for anyone who has been a fan of them, you’ll get a lot of that vibe from this quartet and plenty more range too.
You’ll get notes of Circa Waves and Vistas, as well as plenty of other contemporary British indie bands, not to mention some more shoegazey moments at least in those distorted guitar tones. We’re excited to see where they go next and if it’s anything like ‘Push Against The Blue’, ‘Moving to America’ or ‘Fire and Air’ we’ll be there every step of the way.
One of the most exciting new artists coming out of Manchester at the minute.
And for the last time this year, that really is all she wrote.
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We sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed coming along with us on the voyage of discovery and have genuinely cottoned on to new bands and artists from Greater Manchester that you’d never heard of before and perhaps familiarised yourself with a kind of music you never thought you’d enjoy up until now.
It goes without saying that this sort of stuff – discovering and championing local, up-and-coming bands – is the lifeblood of Audio North and genuinely keeps us going all year round.
You best believe we’ll be back with more in 2025 (so long as you’ll have us) and until then, we urge you to go back through previous months and above all else, happy listening!
Featured Images — Em Cole (supplied)/Bayboards (via Facebook)/Press Shot (Facebook)
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Mancs are being urged to bring tins of beans to upcoming gig – for a very wholesome reason
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Gig-goers in Manchester are being urged to bring tins of beans and other non-perishable items to a concert with them this month, for an excellent cause.
Squeeze are once again calling on fans, if they are able, to support UK charity helping those struggling this winter.
The band will be installing collection points at venues right across their tour, including their upcoming gig at the O2 Apollo in Manchester.
As Squeeze’s biggest ever UK headline tour, Tried, Tested and Trixies, joined by special guest Billy Bragg, launches this week, the iconic rock band are encouraging fans to help tackle food poverty by donating whatever they are able to.
Squeeze’s chosen charity, Trussell, is committed to alleviating nationwide poverty, through supplying emergency food and support to those in need and have been involved with the band for eight years and counting.
Since the beginning of the relationship back in 2018, generous fans attending Squeeze and Glenn Tilbrook shows have supported the initiative by donating an extraordinary 5.15 tons of food and raised £72,552 for Trussell’s food banks.
For the Manchester gig, collection points will be available at the O2 Apollo on Monday 23 November, where fans can donate non-perishable food items or make financial contributions towards the appeal. All donations will go directly to Trussell’s food banks, making a tangible difference to members of our communities.
It is important to note that fans are encouraged to check what their local food bank needs most before donating. Further guidance can be found HERE.
Glenn Tilbrook says: “When I first started collecting for food banks back in 2018, I had no idea how much our fans would take it to heart. The response has been overwhelming, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together.
“But it’s deeply troubling that, eight years later, so many people are still struggling to put food on the table. The need hasn’t gone away, and neither has our determination to help.
Squeeze are urging people to bring food bank donations to their gigs. Credit: Brett Jordan on Unsplash
“If you’re coming to see us, please bring something along if you can, whether it’s a few tins of food or a couple of pounds. The audiences have been brilliant in the past, and I’m hoping we can make this our biggest collection yet.”
Chris Difford adds: “Our fans have been absolutely incredible in the way they’ve supported Trussell over the years. It’s genuinely moving to see people arriving at our shows carrying bags of food, knowing that what they’ve brought will help someone in the local community.
“We’ve always been very lucky to have such loyal and generous audiences, and this is another reminder of just how special they are. We’re hoping everyone will get behind the collections again on this tour. Even a small donation can make a real difference.”
Food banks across the UK continue to face enormous pressure, especially during winter, with households struggling with the rising costs of heating, food and other essentials that many of us take for granted.
Trussell recently shared that food banks in its community provided more than 2.6 million emergency food parcels last year, with over 900,000 of those parcels for children, as well as the amount of parcels provided to the elderly more than tripling between 2019 and 2025.
Emma Revie, co-chief executive of Trussell, said: “Too many people this winter will be struggling to make ends meet, as families are forced to make impossible decisions like whether to put food on the table or turn their heating on.
“Shockingly, we expect our community of food banks to distribute around 600,000 emergency food parcels to people facing hunger and hardship this winter. This isn’t right, and we refuse to stand by while so many of us can’t afford to eat, keep warm and pay the bills.
“That’s why we are so grateful to Squeeze for supporting Trussell once again on their upcoming tour. The band and their fans generosity will make a huge difference and allow our food banks to continue providing vital support to people without enough money to live on.”
Aside from this initiative, Squeeze will also be donating £1 for every ticket sold throughout their 16-date UK tour, to support grassroots music venues, artists, and promoters, recognising the role the independent music scene plays in nurturing future generations.
This tour, celebrating the release of the band’s critically acclaimed new studio album, Trixies is to be one to remember, combining new music with classics such as ‘Up The Junction,’ ‘Cool For Cats,’ and ‘Tempted.’
Trixies is both the band’s first studio album in eight years as well as being the first album the band ever wrote which has received widespread acclaim, with MOJO awarding it five stars.
Trust us this isn’t one to miss – click HERE to get your hands on some of the last remaining tickers of rthe Manchester gig.
KPop Demon Hunters’ HUNTR/X announce huge arena show in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Animated K-pop sensation KPop Demon Hunters will take to the stage in Manchester as part of a huge global arena tour.
Fans of Netflix smash hit KPop Demon Hunters will have the chance to see HUNTR/X live in Manchester next year, as the group brings its highly anticipated Golden World Tour to the AO Arena.
Rumi, Mira, and Zoey will arrive in the city next autumn, as part of a UK tour which will also visit Glasgow, Birmingham and London.
Announced by Netflix and AEG Presents, the KPop Demon Hunters Golden World Tour will kick off globally in June 2027, with almost 50 cities and more than 150 performances planned across 2027 and 2028.
Promising to be much more than a traditional concert, the production will bring the world of KPop Demon Hunters to life through cutting-edge technology, live-action performers, spectacular stunts and the film’s hugely popular music and choreography.
Fans can expect appearances from HUNTR/X members Rumi, Mira and Zoey, alongside the Saja Boys and Derpy Tiger, in an immersive experience designed to make the audience part of the action.
The show will feature music from the Netflix film, including its record-breaking hit Golden, with fans invited to sing and dance along as HUNTR/X take on their next adventure.
Since its release in June 2025, KPop Demon Hunters has become Netflix’s most popular film of all time, attracting more than 670 million views. Its soundtrack has also become a global phenomenon, with more than 15 billion streams worldwide.
The track Golden has enjoyed huge international success, becoming the first K-pop song to win both an Oscar and a Grammy.
Tickets for the KPop Demon Hunters Manchester show at AO Arena will go on general sale at 10am on Friday 20 November 2026.
There will also be opportunities to access tickets earlier, with the Mastercard presale beginning at 10am on Wednesday 18 November, followed by the FOR THE FANS presale at 10am on Thursday 19 November.
KPop Demon Hunters UK tour dates 2027
The UK leg of the Golden World Tour will visit four cities in October:
Tuesday 12 October – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
Saturday 16 October – Utilita Arena Birmingham (matinee and evening)
Tuesday 19 October – AO Arena, Manchester
Friday 22 October – The O2, London
Saturday 23 October – The O2, London (matinee and evening)
Further international dates are expected to be announced.
Danny Jones -
31st December 2024 
