If you’re a kid born in the 90s or noughties, get your classic Converse on, an old-school tie out of the cupboard and oversized camo pants with an unnecessary amount of zips at the ready, because pop-rock queen Avril Lavigne is coming to Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl this week.
We hope you still have some kind of emo fringe going on and a spare spiked bracelet or two lying around somewhere, but don’t worry if not – even if Avril seemingly hasn’t aged, the rest of us have.
That’s right, the 39-year-old singer-songwriter who soundtracked the youth of so many Mancs, let alone millions of others around the world, is the very first act of Sounds of the City 2024 lineup and what a way to kick things off.
On the scene since 1999, the iconic ‘Sk8er Boi’, ‘Complicated’ and ‘Girlfriend’ singer is still up there with one of the most iconic voices on the planet and getting her to play her first-ever gig at Castlefield Bowl is some coup for the festival if you ask us. Here’s everything you need to know.
Are there tickets left for Avril Lavigne at Castlefield Bowl?
Now, we’re sorry to break the news to you but Avril Lavigne‘s Greatest Hits show at this year’s Sound of the City is a sold-out event. No surprises there, really.
However, when it comes to big gigs like these, there’s still the chance that you might find a few spares popping up here and there on legitimate resale sites like Twickets, Viagogo, TicketSwap etc.
That being said, we always advise due diligence when it comes to picking up second-hand tickets and we urge you to avoid ticket touts by all means necessary – they’re illegal and the only way to get rid of them as a problem in the gig industry is to ignore them altogether.
Who’s supporting Avril Lavigne in Manchester?
For those of you who are going along to the show, you’re in for another early to mid-2000s treat as the Canadian pop-rock princess is joined by her fellow compatriots Simple Plan as the main support act on this tour.
Made famous by tracks like ‘I’m Just A Kid’, ‘Perfect’, ‘Welcome To My Life’ and a version of the Scooby-Doo theme (oh yeah, that one), they’ve been going almost just as long as Avril and are still releasing new music all these years later, with their last album dropping in 2022.
They even did a collab with Natasha Bedingfield over a decade ago and if you’re wondering whether you’ve heard them before, you most definitely have but, like the Lavigne, it’ll be their first time at the Bowl so you best make it a special one.
Judging simply from last year’s times, doors to Sounds of the City typically open from 5:30pm onwards and the main event headliners don’t usually start until somewhere between 8:30-9pm.
We’ll confess there’s still a bit of guesswork since details are yet to be confirmed, but you can probably expect Simple Plan to take the stage from roughly 7-7:30pm – but once again, these are always subject to change.
Don’t worry either way, we’ll update you with the final stage times as and when we get them.
The Greatest Hits setlist
As for what the timeless singer-songwriter will be playing on the night, we have the good fortune of this being a tour in support of her recently released Greatest Hits album and having just watched her smash Glastonbury set this past weekend, so we think we have a pretty good idea of the running order.
The order might be tweaked slightly but here’s a guess and what she is likely to play based on the performance at Worthy Farm:
Girlfriend
What the Hell
Complicated
Here’s to Never Growing Up
My Happy Ending
He Wasn’t
Don’t Tell Me
Losing Grip
I’m With You
Bite Me
Love It When You Hate Me
Sk8er Boi
That being said, other favourite tracks like ‘He Wasn’t’, ‘Head Above Water’, ‘Rock N Roll’; ‘Keep Holding On’, ‘Smile’, ‘Bois Lie’; ‘When You’re Gone’ and ‘Nobody’s Home’ could be part of a full 20 track setlist.
Imagine how much a Yungblud guest appearance for ‘I’m A Mess’ and this version of her ultimate ballad (don’t even try to argue) would go off…
Someone get a Yungblud’s flight-tracker going right now and find out if he’s heading to Manchester.
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.
Sounds as good as she ever has.We had a blast watching Blossoms at the bowl in 2023. Credit: Justin Higuchi (via Flickr)/The Manc Audio
Avril Lavigne rocks up to Castlefield Bowl on Wednesday, 3 July to kick off a great summer of music at Sounds of the City 2024, with the likes of Jungle, The National, Tom Grennan and more.
Aren’t we lucky to get such amazing names filing into the city for such massive shows every year?
As for Avril, we’ll see you there skater boys and girls!
Featured Images — Press Images/The Manc Group/Justin Higuchi (via Flickr)
Audio
The Warehouse Project 2025 – full calendar, lineups, tickets, stage times and more
Thomas Melia
The summer and festival season may be almost over, but the Manchester music calendar is still going strong with The Warehouse Project announcing its full 2025 lineup.
If there’s one thing Manchester has got you covered for, it’s live music, and this EDM favourite returns year in and year out to power you through the winter – trading your dark nights for DJ sets with vibrant strobes and lasers.
The Warehouse Project know how to deliver a series of absolutely incredible b2b sets, exclusive shows and more, with the 2025 calendar looking just as impressive as previous years.
This latest full calendar lineup covers you with some of the best music events from 12 September right through til 31 December – grab your mates and your diaries, it’s time to get your next rave booked in.
Everything you need to know about The Warehouse Project 2025
The Warehouse Project tickets
As mentioned, with events running until 31 December, there are plenty of tickets available; however, with growing popularity annually and some of the biggest acts performing, these will be in high demand.
You can find the full calendar online, highlighting what events are still on sale – yes, the majority sell out fast every year – and takes you directly to their website HERE.
WHP stages
There are three separate rooms, which range in capacity, sound and facilities:
Depot is the largest room, boasting a capacity of 10,000.
Concourse can accommodate a significant 2,500 concertgoers.
Archive still holds an impressive 1,900.
It’s also worth noting that the Concourse room will now operate a strict no phones rule this year. The venue has been flagging a number of ‘Concourse only’ shows over the last few weeks in an effort to soft-launch the new policy.
Limited to the mid-sized room only for now, they’re taking cues from the likes of popular Manc nightclub Amber’s, insisting that they “feel that club culture is best enjoyed in the moment with your friends, and your phone in your pocket.”
Amber’s is also relaunching their newly formatted ‘Room Two’.
For anyone at all frustrated about this news, at least take the news of new ‘proper flushable toilets’ being installed through 80% of the venue this year as a pretty decent silver lining.
Transport and how to get to The Warehouse Project
This iconic EDM music series moved from its Victoria Warehouse to another music hotspot, Depot Mayfield, back in 2019 and has seen some of the greatest artists and DJs grace these very four walls.
Just an eight-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly or a 20-minute walk from Manchester Victoria Station, it’s super easy to get to on foot or via public transport.
You can catch a train or multiple tram lines from Victoria and various other points around the city centre, which will drop you off at Manchester Piccadilly; better still, a tram journey will only set you back £1.90 and not much more for the train.
Friday, 12 September – DJ HEARTSTRING
Electronic duo DJ HEARTSTRING are swapping the cold city centre feels of Berlin for the equally chilly Manchester to kick off the WHP25 series.
Playing in the Concourse, they will also be joined by a handful of acts, including Peach, Niamh and Ireland-born but now Berlin-based act, Spray.
Saturday, 13 September – D.O.D
Dan O’ Donnell, more widely recognised by his stage name and acronym D.O.D, is playing a huge hometown show in the Concourse with more DJs and mixers yet to be announced.
The Bury-born talent has a roster of hits and remixes under his belt, including ‘So Much In Love’, ‘Azizam (D.O.D Remix)’ and ‘Somedays’, the latter a collaboration with previous Warehouse Project alumni Jazzy.
Friday, 19 September – ANOTR
You might get ‘Vertigo’ from this next duo, who are currently soaking up the Ibiza club scene before making their way to the prestigious Manchester event later this year.
Amsterdam-based duo ANOTR are gearing up to play in the Concourse with a selection of yet-to-be-announced acts, and we’re sure you’ll want to ‘Turn It Up’ when they visit.
It’s time to get ‘Jamming’ with gold-coast music producer Fisher and we’re sure you’ll be ‘Losing It’ as soon as you feel the ‘Atmosphere’ at Depot Mayfield on this night.
Ranked as one of the top 10 DJs in DJ Mag’s top 100 DJs of 2024 and surpassing over 18 million monthly listeners on Spotify, expect this to be a busy one.
Friday, 26 September – Worried About Henry
All three rooms are in use for this event, and if you were at Parklife this year, you know this drum and bass event organiser knows how to start a party.
There are over 30 acts playing out across the night, and although we can’t list them all, expect Andy C, Wilkinson, Sub Focus in Depot, Camo and Krooked b2b K Motionz in Concourse and Simula in Archive.
Saturday, 27 September – YOU&ME 10th Birthday
Can you feel the buzz? We certainly can, as legendary DJs Josh Baker and Max Dean are in residency for a landmark Warehouse Project birthday celebration.
This London name has been behind some of house and UK garage’s recent anthems like ‘If U Need It’ and ‘Cops & Robbers’ with his 2020 album ‘Spice Up My Life’ reaching No.7 on the Official Dance Charts.
Now, the record producer is teaming up with a specially selected DJ crew at Depot Mayfield, including Armand Van Helden, Bakey, Joy Orbison and local lad Ghoulish.
Saturday, 4 October – &ME
Techno giant has worked on numerous collaborations and solidified his place in the house music scene with remixes and originals like ‘Say What’, ‘Thandaza’ and ‘More Love – Rampa &ME Remix’.
Coming to the Concourse, he’ll be joined by two other notable music creators like ‘P*ssy Power’ hitmaker Desiree and ‘Intuition’ credited act Megatronic.
Friday, 10 October – Dom Dolla
We’ve been ‘Dreamin’ about this one for a while, and after his latest tune gaining a spot on the F1 The Movie soundtrack, ‘No Room For A Saint’, this dance act has definitely earned its stripes.
The Australian producer is set to play Depot Mayfield, which will mark his only UK headline show outside London in 2025, and he’s bringing a couple of house music acts along for the ride too.
Saturday 11 October – Defected & Glitterbox
Depot Mayfield and Concourse are getting new names for one night only, with the larger of the two becoming ‘Defected’ and the latter taking on its new title of ‘Glitterbox’ while Archive keeps its moniker.
The legend himself, MK, will be in attendance and after the success of his recent hit ‘Dior’ with Bolton act Chrystal, the Manchester crowd will be lapping him up.
Friday, 17 October – Jamie Jones presents Paradise
Well-established Welsh DJ Jamie Jones is fronting the bill on this event, with the rest of the lineup awaiting announcement.
One thing is for sure, if the talent on the night takes any homage or inspiration from Jones’ records like ‘Lose My Mind’ and ‘We Groovin’, this will be a night of dancefloor fillers across Depot Mayfield.
17.10 /// JAMIE JONES PRESENTS PARADISE – LINE UP REVEALED
Jamie Jones brings Paradise back to WHP this October. Jamie plays a special b2b with Joseph Capriati plus across the evening he will be joined by East End Dubs, Alisha, Ahmed Spins, Obskür and more.
‘Is U’ looking to get ‘Lippy’? Well, Overmono have just the set for you when they present their new show to you alongside a curated lineup of special guests at Depot Mayfield.
Fellow collaborator Joy Orbison will be popping up with chart-topping act Interplanetary Criminal in Concourse and a selection of artists in Archive, hosted by Virus.
Friday, 24 October – Confidence Man
Janet Planet and Sugar Bones are ready to take you on a ‘Holiday’ when they return to Manchester with their celebrated records and unmissable dance moves.
Also bringing the heat to Manchester on this night is Antony Szmierek, who’s trading ‘The Great Pyramid of Stockport‘ for Depot Mayfield with Archive hosted by city centre nightlife venue and bar, Yes.
Saturday, 25 October – Black Coffee
After working with notable artists like Drake, David Guetta and Alicia Keys, this caffeinated music creator is ready to power you through the night with a selection of hits from his stacked roster.
Although the support is to-be-announced, this lineup will be one you definitely don’t want to miss out on.
Wednesday, 29 October – Aitch
Moston rapper Aitch is touching down on home turf to play his huge hits out to Depot Mayfield with the release of his latest album 4 earlier this summer.
Collaborating with drum and bass heavyweight Bou on ‘Raving in the Studio’ has been great exposure too, with the Manc star receiving a warm welcome from dance music lovers.
Friday, 31 October – WHP25 Halloween – Warehouse Banger
Another one of The Warehouse Project’s biggest nights of the year, there will be lots of dance, house, drum and bass artists decorating the bill.
With no official lineup yet, expect this night to be spook-tacular.
Saturday, 1 November – Marlon Hoffstadt presents Party of the Year
‘It’s That Time’ and by that time we mean Marlon Hoffstadt’s self-proclaimed ‘Party of the Year’, which is bringing good vibes only to Depot Mayfield.
Artists include Biianco, Surf 2 Glory and Horsegiirl, who sat hoof-to-hoof with TV Royalty Danny Dyer at this year’s Brit Awards.
Friday, 7 November – Rossi.
‘Don’t Touch That Dial’ because the ‘Freak in the Sheets’ is heading to Manchester for a night dedicated to all things Rossi.
He has been on a roll this year appearing at various music festivals from Parklife to Glastonbury, and has even headlined this dance music event before in 2023. It’s safe to say that much like his track – ‘Little Man’, we’re ‘(Proud of You)’.
Friday, 21 November – Barry Can’t Swim – Earth’s Only Paradise
Probably one of our favourite electronic acts around right now, full stop.
All three rooms are open for Barry Can’t Swim, who ( in our not-so-biased opinion) might have one of the best DJ names of all time.
He’ll be bringing along a whole gathering of notable DJ figures like Jayda G, Chloé Caillet, and Prospa as he hosts his ‘Earth’s Only Paradise’ event.
Saturday 22 November – The Hacienda
Manchester has always been a city of clubgoers, and it’s lovely to see the musical history of the music capital of the North celebrated via a dedicated night to its most legendary club, The Hacienda.
Expect Depot Mayfield to be filled with all the greats from DJ Paulette, Groove Armada, Primal Scream and more.
Aussies are well and truly feeling the love from the Manc crowd this year, with a variety of acts making the over 20-hour flight to play their club classics, and now Sonny Fodera joins this list.
Fodera has worked with Calvin Harris, Jazzy, Becky Hill, Glass Animals, and Sinéad Harnett, just to name a few – so expect to hear a lot of recognisable tunes throughout the night.
Wednesday 31 December – New Year’s Eve
The lineup for this one is always a secretive one, but as you’re welcoming in the New Year, what better way to do it than attending a night soundtracked by dance and house anthems.
The Warehouse Project New Year’s Eve event is usually a big one, so expect tickets to this exclusive party to sell out pretty quickly.
Kendal Calling toasts 20 years of unforgettable memories with Audio North’s best visit yet
Danny Jones
Kendal Calling 2025 was always going to be special: it was yet another sellout edition of a live music and cultural celebration that impresses every year, shifting its ticket capacity in record time.
Even after two decades of success, genuinely getting ‘bigger and better’ each time, the local event that started off as a cult favourite for roughly 900 people somehow remains one of the most underappreciated festivals not just in the North but in the country.
To be honest, there were so many factors that went into making this our best visit to Kendal Calling to date, but we thought we’d rattle off some of them in our review of 2025’s 20th anniversary year, in what was a truly momentous milestone weekend.
Here are just a few.
Kendal Calling 2025 review
The sun shines down on Lowther Deer Park
For starters, 2025 was comfortably the best weather we’ve ever had at Kendal Calling, as the rays beamed down on the valley pretty much all weekend long.
In fact, the only bit of rain we had came overnight/in the early morning during the final 24 hours, and while there was a bit of showering later that night, we got to enjoy the bulk of the daytime making the most of dry ground – by which we mean jumping up and down every chance we got.
As much as there’s something very romantic about the inevitable wet and muddiness of a UK music festival, this particular tree-encased corner of Penrith is just so pretty set against pure sunlight and clear blue skies. Just gorgeous.
The next big plus may come down to bias, but it gave us a buzz nevertheless. Cue Friday night’s headliners:
It’ll surprise none of you to hear that the Greater Manchester music scene was flying its big festival flag high, wide and handsome at Kendal’s 20th anniversary.
Tell me something I don’t know, right?
From youngsters The Guest List, and fellow indie up-and-comers like M60, to now established main stage stars like The Lottery Winners and, oh, you know, a little-known band called The Courteeners, we had plenty of top-tier representation this time around.
This is not to say that we haven’t in the past, by the way. Everyone knows how prolific and influential our city is when it comes to the arts, in general; nevertheless, it felt like this year, extra eyes were on us.
We’d be fools not to surmise that some of this may have been down to Oasis fever still firmly gripping the nation by the neck with both hands (a sea of their adidas merch was certainly a tip-off), but seeing acts we’ve featured in our artists of the month to look out for felt affirming.
Another thing we can never get over is just how much fun we have after the headliners walk off around 11pm…
Beyond the nine stages located around the sprawling festival site, there are so many little nooks and crannies we are still finding three years in, such as a cosy tea tent with cushion seating and low lamplight, the new ‘Green Room’, which serves as a little taste of VIP, and tonnes more.
The best part about all these bits is that they usually get better the longer the night goes on, and as we found from our two nights dancing until 3am to the silent disco over at the Woodlands stage amidst a trail of fairy lights and flashing headphones, Kendal has endless stamina.
Even on the walk back from the technicolour forest full of ravers, those warming their hands by open fires, or simply lying back and gazing up at the stars in the night sky, you’ll see the big Ferris wheel still spinning, food traders slinging out late-night scran, and people still dancing.
As for some of the names that really impressed us this year, Keo, Sports Team and The Big Moon were up there for some of our favourite sets of the weekend, but we have to say that Sheffield’s very own Reverend and the Makers were truly brilliant.
We’ve had the pleasure of seeing Jon McClure and co. live on a number of occasions over the course of our lifetimes, and while they’ve never quite been as massive as we feel they should be, Kendal Calling 2025 proved they deserve not just main stage but headline slots.
Barring arguably Fatboy Slim on Saturday night, they got the biggest energy and movement of the crowd we’d seen since we got there – and it came as no surprise, either, as the case was very much the same last time.
They acknowledged themselves that they’re having a bit of a ‘Rev-naissance’ and we couldn’t think of a more deserving group of musicians.
Honestly, at this point, we’d say we were getting tired of trying to convince people to give Kendal Calling a go if they haven’t before, but we’re not sure we’ll ever be able to put into words a review that’s fitting enough of how much we adore this festival.
Happy birthday to one of the best. Thanks again for having us back, and here’s to 20 unbelievable years.
As ever, we cannot wait until we’re back on the fields again soon.
Danny Jones -
2nd July 2024 
