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Blossoms at Sounds of the City, Castlefield Bowl – setlist, stage times and more for massive Manchester gig

It's their big homecoming gig tonight.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 6th July 2023

Blossoms will be back on home turf tonight with a massive show at Castlefield Bowl.

It’s part of the Sounds of the City summer gig series and will see the Stockport indie-rockers perform on the canal-side outdoor stage.

The group announced the 6 July gig last December, hot off the back of four huge gigs at the O2 Apollo. They’ve also recently torn up the Glastonbury stage with a blistering set with Rick Astley.

Since forming in 2013, Blossoms have gone from strength to strength and quickly asserted themselves as one of the UK’s most recognisable artists- especially here in the north.

Blossoms have four chart-topping albums, from their self-titled debut to last year’s Ribbon Around the Bomb.

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Still to come at Castlefield Bowl after Blossoms will be Two Door Cinema Club, Bastille and Hacienda Classical, with shows from Pulp and The Lathums already finished.

Here’s everything you need to know about Blossoms at Castlefield Bowl.

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Stage times for Blossoms at Castlefield Bowl

  • Doors – 5.30pm
  • DJ – 5.30pm
  • Seb Lowe – 6.45pm
  • Inspiral Carpets – 7.45pm
  • Blossoms – 9pm

Who’s supporting Blossoms at Castlefield Bowl?

When they head over to Leeds later this week, Blossoms will be welcoming friend and fellow musician Miles Kane onto the stage with them.

But here, they’re looking much more local, bringing in a legendary Manchester name.

It’ll be Inspiral Carpets supporting the five-piece at Sounds of the City.

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The Oldham-formed band were an instrumental part of the Madchester movement in the late 80s and early 90s, made up of Clint Boon, Graham Lambert, Stephen Holt, Kev Clark and Oscar Boon.

19-year-old rising star Seb Lowe, who started his music career on TikTok but is now dominating much bigger stages, will open the show tonight.

Tickets for Blossoms at Castlefield Bowl

Oh dear, it’s another Sounds of the City gig that’s totally sold out.

Blossoms tickets were initially priced at £44.45 but, as often happens with their homecoming gigs, sold out quickly.

If you’re desperate to go, keep an eye on resale sites but make sure you’re buying from a trustworthy seller so you don’t get ripped off.

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What will Blossoms setlist be?

Blossoms love to pull out surprises at their shows, from special guests to unexpected covers, so you never know exactly what you’re going to get.

But this is their most recent setlist from their gig at HMV Empire in Coventry.

Your Girlfriend
Honey Sweet
Oh No (I Think I’m in Love)
The Keeper
Cool Like You
Ribbon Around the Bomb
How Long Will This Last?
Getaway
Ode to NYC
The Sulking Poet
Blown Rose
I Can’t Stand It
If You Think This Is Real Life
Care For
Blow
At Most a Kiss
My Swimming Brain
My Favourite Room
Encore:
There’s a Reason Why (I Never Returned Your Calls)
Charlemagne

Weather forecast at Castlefield Bowl, Manchester

Sounds of the City at Castlefield Bowl
Sounds of the City at Castlefield Bowl. Credit: Sam Neill

Castlefield Bowl is an outdoor venue, with only a very small amount of cover by the amphitheatre seating.

It looks like the Manchester rain will hold off tonight, though it’s not exactly screaming summer weather.

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Temperatures are set to peak at 21 degrees, with a low of 15 degrees, according to the Met Office.

It will be cloudy all night, too.

About Castlefield Bowl

Castlefield Bowl is an amphitheatre-style outdoor venue in the city centre.

Although all tickets are billed as unreserved standing, if you’re quick you can take a seat on the large concrete steps that curve around the stage.

Many people also take a perch up on the grassy banks at the back of the venue too.

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Castlefield Bowl is located at 101 Liverpool Road in the city centre.

The closest tram stop is Deansgate-Castlefield, which is only a six-minute walk away.

You can also walk it from the major train stations, or use the 101, 197, 255, 256, 41, 50 or X50 buses.

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Featured image: Publicity picture

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Manchester institution ‘a little emotional’ after receiving a visit from rock icon Hayley Williams

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Hayley Williams spotted in Afflecks in Manchester

Rock icon Hayley Williams has been spotted shopping at Manchester institution Afflecks.

The legendary independent retail emporium said it was ‘feeling a little emotional’ after its halls were graced with rock royalty.

And not only did the Paramore frontwoman and acclaimed solo singer-songwriter come for a browse, she even gave Afflecks a shout-out on stage later that night.

Hayley Williams headlined two solo shows at Manchester Academy on Monday and Tuesday this week.

The shows are in support of her third studio album, Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party.

And despite being known globally as one of music’s best lead vocalists, this is actually Hayley Williams’ first solo tour (her previous dates were cancelled because of Covid).

While on stage in front of fans last night, she said: “I’ve learnt some Mancunian, and I’ve been to Afflecks!”

It sounds like she’s as lovely as she is legendary, with Afflecks saying that the star hung around to chat and take photos.

Sharing photos of the star inside the building, Afflecks wrote: “So a very special visitor stopped by Afflecks yesterday…

“A huge thank you to Hayley Williams for taking the time to visit us, say hello, and pose for a photo. She was so super lovely, kind, and welcoming, and to top it all off she even gave Afflecks a shout-out during last night’s show.

“Safe to say we’re feeling a little emotional about it. Thank you again Hayley for supporting Manchester’s small businesses.”

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Featured image: Instagram, @afflecks_Manchester

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Secret stages, surprise sets and non-stop sunshine – here’s what went down at Parklife 2026

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Parklife 2026 has officially wrapped up, and dare we say it might have been the best one yet?

Well, that’s it folks. One of the biggest weekends on Manchester’s musical calendar has been ticked off, and what a time we had.

The rolling hills of Heaton Park welcomed thousands of ravers who two-stepped from the moment the gates opened until the final vibrations echoed from the speakers.

So, while we nurse our sore feet and slap on the aftersun, let’s reflect on Parklife 2026 and catch you up on what you might have missed.

Images: The Manc Group

For once, the weather actually delivered.

Blue skies and glorious sunshine stuck around all weekend, giving festival-goers the perfect excuse to stay out from open to close and making Heaton Park look more like Ibiza than north Manchester. We’re exaggerating, of course, but you get the picture.

While headline sets from pop princess Zara Larsson and grime MC Skepta drew huge crowds, some of the biggest moments happened away from the main stages.

Images: The Manc Group

After all, when else can you watch Manc icon Bez DJing on a rooftop at a secret garden party? It truly was a sight to behold.

The festival introduced three brand-new secret stages this year, which we think were a fantastic addition. Our favourite was the Bossmans Tent – an exclusive stage hidden behind the facade of a corner shop, where festival-goers had to enter through a fridge to discover the music inside.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a festival without a few cheeky surprise sets thrown into the mix. Enter Aitch.

At this point, the Manchester rapper is basically a Parklife resident, popping up each year to surprise crowds with a song or two. This year, our hometown hero joined Bou on stage, sending fans into a complete and utter meltdown.

Images: The Manc Group

The city was also well represented through a number of stage takeovers across the weekend. Ghosts of Garage, the Manchester-born brand that has built a loyal following across the region, brought together a host of local DJs on Sunday for a takeover that felt like a celebration of the city’s thriving dance music scene.

One of the most anticipated additions for 2026, the new Panorama stage was a real standout. Featuring a belting 100m LED screen, huge dance platforms and behind-the-booth access, there wasn’t a quiet moment there all weekend – and it’s not hard to see why.

Sheffield DJ Silva Bumpa drew one of the busiest crowds of the weekend at Panorama, creating relentless energy from start to finish. Fans were packed shoulder-to-shoulder as one of the UK’s fastest-rising names delivered a set worthy of all the hype.

Parklife 2026, you’ve set the bar very high.

We’ll see you next year.

Read more: What people are wearing at Parklife 2026 – ruffles, cowboy boots, football shirts and bandanas

Featured image – The Manc

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