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A ‘Primary School Bangers’ gig is coming to Manchester

"GIVE ME OIL IN MY LAMP, KEEP ME BURNING..."

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 10th February 2026

A night of non-stop, nostalgic primary school bangers is heading up to Manchester this year.

The event comes from viral sensation and Glastonbury festival favourite James B Partridge, who’ll be taking his incredibly silly event on the road in 2026.

Expect to hear all those hits that shaped your childhood, whether you were sat cross-legged on a carpet or one of the lucky ones who got to sit on a PE bench in assembly.

His usual setlist includes classics like Sing Hosanna, One More Step Along The World I Go, and When I Needed A Neighbour.

Primary School Bangers will be heading to the beautiful Albert Hall in Manchester in March, along with a run of dates across the UK.

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He’s promising ‘classic school-day singalongs, heart-on-sleeve nostalgia, and the infectious joy that has
made James a national favourite’.

Most recently, the teacher-turned-performer has been delighting audiences with his Big Christmas Assembly tour, playing to tens of thousands across the country.

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James continues to teach primary school children during the week, then goes so far as to shut down the fields of Glastonbury with the crowds he pulls in.

He’s also had appearances on the likes of Chris Evans’ Virgin Radio Breakfast Show, BBC Radio 2, The One Show, and Songs of Praise: The Big School Assembly Singalong.

Tickets are on sale now HERE.

The Primary School Bangers UK 2026 tour

  • 14 Mar – Gateshead Glasshouse
  • 15 Mar – Scunthorpe Baths Hall
  • 16 Mar – Manchester Albert Hall
  • 3 Apr – Colchester Charter Hall
  • 4 Apr – York Barbican
  • 6 Apr – London Barbican
  • 7 Apr – King’s Lynn Corn Exchange
  • 8 Apr – Bury St Edmunds Apex Theatre
  • 10 Apr – Watford Colosseum
  • 12 Apr – Southampton O2 Guildhall
  • 14 Apr – Northampton Derngate Theatre
  • 15 Apr – Woking New Victoria
  • 16 Apr – Swansea Grand Theatre
  • 18 Apr – Bristol Beacon
  • 19 Apr – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
  • 20 Apr – Blackpool Winter Gardens (Arena)
  • 21 Apr – Edinburgh Assembly Rooms
  • 23 Apr – Peterborough New Theatre
  • 24 Apr – Birmingham Symphony Hall
  • 26 Apr – Reading Hexagon

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Featured image: Rebecca Johnson

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BBC Radio 6 Music Festival reveals 2026 line-up across Greater Manchester grassroots venues

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson BBC Radio 6 Music Festival line-up in Manchester for 2026 Credit: BBC Radio 6 Music

The BBC Radio 6 Music Festival has today revealed its line-up for this year’s event, which will feature some massive names performing at intimate grassroots venues in Greater Manchester.

This year’s inner-city music festival will take place between Wednesday 25 and Sunday 28 March, at venues including Band on the Wall, YES, and even the Eccles Town Hall Ballroom.

And the headliners are huge, including Bloc Party, Courtney Barnett, The Horrors, and BRIT Award Critics’ Choice winner Jacob Alon.

Ticket-holders will also have the chance to see DJ sets from the likes of Beth Ditto and Nick Grimshaw, Emily Pilbeam & Nathan Shepherd, Lambrini Girls and Steve Lamacq as part of an Indie Forever club night.

Samantha Moy, Head of BBC Radio 6 Music says: “Independent grassroot venues are vital to the UK’s music ecosystem and at 6 Music, we’re proud to support what they do.

“So, it makes sense for the next evolution of the 6 Music Festival to take place in these special spaces, collaborating with new partners and celebrating Manchester’s incredible music legacy, as well as the next generation of artists.”

Nick Grimshaw says: “So excited to be back at the 6 Music Festival in Manchester. Bringing a whole host of excellent artists and showcasing them at grassroots venues – these independent spaces are increasingly under threat but are vital for culture and a space where artists are given the freedom to take risks, grow, and truly flourish. I can’t wait!”

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, says: “Greater Manchester’s music scene has always been driven by its grassroots venues and independent spirit. They’re vital to nurturing new talent and keeping our cultural life vibrant.

“It’s fantastic to see the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival celebrating those spaces and shining a spotlight on the creativity that continues to flourish right across our city region.”

BBC 6 Music Festival line-up in full

Weds 25 March – BBC Introducing

  • TTSSFU + Pyncher + Ellen Beth Abdi at Band on the Wall from 7pm

Thursday 26 March

  • Kelly Lee Owens (DJ set) + Wesley Joseph at Band on the Wall from 7pm
  • Mandy, Indiana + SILVERWINGKILLER at YES from 7pm

Friday 27 March

  • Bloc Party + The Horrors at Band on the Wall from 7pm
  • Yard Act + Sorry at YES from 7pm
  • Indie Forever club night with Steve Lamacq, Beth Ditto + Nick Grimshaw, Emily Pilbeam + Nathan Shepherd, and Lambrini Girls at YES from midnight

Saturday 28 March

  • Courtney Barnett + Jacob Alon at Band on the Wall from 7pm
  • Lynks + Tiberius b at YES from 7pm
  • 6 Music Festival and FaT OuT present Lauren Auder, Naima Bock and R.AGGS at Eccles Town Hall Ballroom from 3pm
  • Homobloc presents 6 Music’s Festival’s Closing Party with Olof Dreijer at YES from 11.30pm

The festival will extend to the BBC 6 Music broadcast schedule too, with some shows broadcast live from MediaCity and plenty of highlights shared from the festivalt oo.

All 6 Music and BBC Radio Manchester programmes will be available on BBC Sounds for 30 days after broadcast. Performances and DJ sets will be added to BBC Sounds during the festival.

Headliners will each present a four-part series of Artist in Residence, inviting listeners on a journey into their musical soul, in the lead-up to the festival (Bloc Party (9-12 Feb), Courtney Barnett (16-19 Feb), Kelly Lee Owens (2-5 Mar), The Horrors (9-12 Mar), Jacob Alon (16-19 Mar) and Yard Act (23-26 Mar)).

In addition, a new eight-part BBC Sounds podcast, The Rise and Fall of Madchester, presented by Steve Lamacq and Music & Cultural PR Creative, Alison Bell, will be available on BBC Sounds from 8am on Monday 16 March.

Tickets to each event are sold separately and will be available from www.bbc.co.uk/6musicfestival at 10am on Thursday 12 February.

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Featured image: BBC Radio 6 Music

Audio

Kaytranada announces huge Manchester gig at Co-op Live on new tour

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Kaytranada announces huge Manchester gig at Co-op Live on new tour

Kaytranada will be performing a huge show in Manchester as part of his newly-announced 2026 European tour.

The Montreal-based producer is set to bring his unmistakable dancefloor sound to the Co-op Live arena this June, marking the only northern date on the UK run alongside London and Birmingham.

From huge hits like ‘BE YOUR GIRL’, to his latest song with Pink Pantheress, Kaytranada’s run has been nothing short of iconic, and his live shows are guaranteed to be non-stop movement from start to finish.

The news follows his co-headline tour with Justice last year, and the release of his album AIN’T NO DAMN WAY!, which features songs including Grammy-nominated SPACE INVADER.

The 10-times-nominated, two-times Grammy award-winning artist will be heading to cities including London, Paris, and Birmingham.

Kaytranada will be supported in Manchester and on all European dates by Uncle Waffles.

Tickets will go on sale from 10am on Friday 13 February HERE, with a pre-sale live from 10am on Tuesday 10 February.

Kaytranada European tour dates in full

  • 1 June – Amsterdam, NL @ Ziggo Dome
  • 4 June – Berlin, DE @ Uber Arena
  • 5 June – Warsaw, PL @ Sektor
  • 9 June – Zurich, CH @ Hallenstadion
  • 11 June – Munich, DE @ Olympiahalle
  • 14 June – Belgium, BE @ ING Arena
  • 16 June – Paris, FR @ Accor Arena
  • 18 June – London, UK @ The O2
  • 20 June – Birmingham, UK @ Utilita Arena Birmingham
  • 23 June – Manchester, UK @ Co-op Live
  • 25 June – Milan, IT @ Unipol Forum

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Featured image: Liam McCrae

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