This region has produced some of the greatest songwriters of all time; it’s just straight-up facts, and now the brand-new digital docuseries entitled Manchester:Unplugged is set to spotlight that treasured truth online.
Created by StreamGM – the non-profit digital streaming service dedicated to showcasing and supporting the music, nightlife, and culture of Greater Manchester, which evolved from the all-important ‘United We Stream’ project back in lockdown – this is just as much a hometown celebration as it is a show.
They’re the same team behind the Spill The Sound series presented by Louise Schofield, and given they’re now a few seasons deep into old-school music telly, we’d wager this new programme is going to be a similar success.
Getting underway on Thursday, 4 September, the very first episode of Manchester:Unplugged is nearly here. Keep reading to find out more.
The new show is filmed at various familiar venues, such as The Freemount and Bay Horse Tavern in NQ. (Credit: StreamGM)
Put in the simplest terms, this new series is all about our many marvellous Manc lyricists and the best of local and contemporary songwriting.
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The new free-to-watch online documentary series uncovers the stories behind the songs that make Manchester one of the world’s greatest cities for music.
Available via the streaming platform itself as well as uploaded directly to YouTube, each 10-minute episode follows the journey of one song born in the region, from the spark of an idea to the creative process of writing, recording, release and its eventual impact on us listeners.
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Better yet, the show is filmed in iconic and grassroots local venues, rehearsal rooms, pubs and creative spaces and more, all portrayed at their cinematic best, blending stripped-back performances with intimate interviews from the artists reflecting on their work.
With a focus on both the city’s rising stars and its more established names,Manchester: Unplugged captures the energy of the city’s diverse and constantly evolving scene, while staying rooted in its ever-growing history and heritage.
The Covasettes after their performance at New Century Hall. (Credit: Supplied)
Speaking on the new project, producer Laura Graham told The Manc: “Manchester: Unplugged is about more than music, it’s about memory, place, and the moment and reason why a song was brought to life.
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“Each episode is a personal narrative by the songwriter. At its core, it’s about meaning and connection: between artist and audience, song and place, past and present.
A Pulp pop-up pub is coming to Manchester this weekend to celebrate their Wythenshawe Park gig
Daisy Jackson
A pop-up pub dedicated to Pulp, complete with a jukebox programmed by Jarvis Cocker himself, is coming to Manchester this week.
The temporary boozer coincides with the legendary band’s upcoming sold-out gig at Wythenshawe Park, where they’ll play to a 30,000-strong crowd.
To celebrate their return to Manchester, Pulp will be taking over the Rat & Pigeon in the Northern Quarter for three days.
As well as the Jarvis-programmed jukebox, fans of the band will be able to join a series of events, grab some limited-edition merch, and take part in competitions curated by the band.
The Rat & Pigeon – temporarily rebranded to The Pulp Pop-Up Pub – will be completely decked out in rare Pulp paraphernalia borrowed from the band’s archive.
A special, limited edition Wythenshawe Park t-shirt will be sold exclusively at the Rat & Pigeon while stocks last.
Fans will also be in with a chance of winning test pressings of Live!, an album document of the band’s 2025 show at The O2 in London.
There will also be a number of giveaways at Piccadilly Records across the weekend.
Pulp will perform at Live From Wythenshawe Park on Friday 28 August, one of five huge artists performing at the venue this summer.
Also playing this weekend will be Courteeners, and The Prodigy, with Lewis Capaldi and The Cure having already performed their huge shows at the venue.
The Pulp Pop-Up Pub will be open at the Rat & Pigeon between 12pm and 7pm on Friday 28, 12pm until late on Saturday 29, and 12pm until 2pm on Sunday 30 August.
Featured image: The Manc Group / Publicity picture
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Tame Impala announces another HUGE Manchester gig after chart-topping success
Emily Sergeant
Tame Impala has announced another UK and EU tour in 2027 to celebrate recent chart-topping success.
Following sold-out runs across the globe in 2025 and 2026 – including here in Manchester – and currently in the midst of a North American arena tour, Tame Impala has announced a new run of dates for next year – with a mix of headline and festival appearances.
The announcement arrives as Kevin Parker – better known by his project name, Tame Impala – continues an extraordinary run with his latest studio album Deadbeat, released last year.
On Deadbeat, Parker aimed to sculpt a collection of ‘wickedly potent’ club-psych explorations as a vehicle for some of his most direct, ear-wormy songwriting to date.
Tame Impala has announced another huge Manchester gig after chart-topping success / Credit: Julian Klincewicz (Supplied)
After recently being featured in the new Marvel film, Spiderman: Brand New Day, the lead single from the album, ‘Loser’, has just hit number one on the Global Spotify chart.
Not only that, but the remix of the hit song ‘Dracula’, featuring JENNIE, also remains in the top 10 on various global charts, and the original version has also nominated for Best Alternative at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
Critics described this most recent run of gigs as ‘one of the best live shows of the year’, so it only makes sense that he’d be back for more.
Kicking off on 28 May 2027 in here in Manchester, Tame Impala will be taking to the Co-op Live stage once again, before heading down to the capital for two nights at The O2 on 1 and 2 June, and then popping over to Paris, Rotterdam, and Cologne to.
Wet Leg will open all headlining dates next year, including here in Manchester.
Tickets go on sale this week, with Co-op Member Presale kicking off at 9am on Wednesday (26 August), followed by General Sale also at 9am on Friday (28 August).
Danny Jones -
3rd September 2025 
