We have a very big place in our hearts for hearing movie scores performed by a live band, so when we heard that a live concert series of Disney classics was coming to Manchester, our ears naturally pricked up.
In what is just the latest event at the legendary Bridgewater Hall to bring movie scores and soundtracks to life in front of an audience, the hugely popular ‘Sound of Magic’ audio-visual show is coming to one the city centre’s best venues for an unfortgettable family friendly evening.
As you may have already guessed by now, this event pretty much does what is says on the tin: delivers some the most beloved songs and scores from over 100 years of Disney to a crowd of cartoon lovers and animation ethusiasts, not to mention anyone who live music and the classical genre, especially.
If you’re anything like us and those early memories of watching Disney are some of your most formative movie and music experiences then you know it’s set be just as special seeing it in person.
ANNOUNCING // Disney in Concert: The Sound of Magic (Friday 20 February 2026)
— The Bridgewater Hall (@BridgewaterHall) March 11, 2025
Set to be performed by the highly celebrated Novello Orchestra on a limited eight-date UK tour, ‘Disney in Concert: The Sound of Magic’ promises to be “a symphonic celebration of Disney music, animation and memories – a century in the making.”
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Drawing inspiration form throughout the entire history of the Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, you can expect some of your favourite childhood films and characters on screen along with a the powerful sound of a live symphony orchestra on the concert hall stage.
But it just a case of playing the hits: songs and scores are combined into exciting new medleys and suites, creating an unexpected and thrilling journey through music and animation.
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This newly imagined concert series is set to include moments from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Moana and Alice in Wonderland; Aladdin, The Jungle Book, Frozen; The Lion King, Fantasia, Encanto, Beauty and the Beast, Dumbo and MANY more.
The Lion KingMoanaCredit: Disney
The Sound of Magic is being directed by of an acclaimed team of collaborators which includes Creative Director, Amy Tinkham; Music Director, Giles Martin, as well as Arranger and Orchestrator, Ben Foster.
Heading across the Atlantic next February and for two more shows in May 2026, ‘Disney: The Sound of Magic’ is kicking off its UK tour right here in Manchester before hitting Birmingham, Edinburgh, York, London, Liverpool, Birmingham, Sheffield and Glasgow.
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Tickets for Disney’s flagship live concert series in Manchester go on sale at 10am on Friday, 14 March. You can get ready to grab yours HERE.
We’re loving this trend of cross-genre concerts and in addition to the likes of Aviva Studios hosting an equivalent live concert experience of the smash-hit Witcher videogames, there’s another big series of scores coming to Bridgewater Hall as well.
Featured Images — Disney (supplied)/Ardfern (via Wikimedia Commons)
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Respects paid to late frontman of Happy Mondays tribute act as Shaun Ryder joins tributes
Danny Jones
Tributes are being paid to the late Marc James Watmough, frontman of the much-loved Happy Mondays tribute band, Happy Mondaze, who sadly passed away earlier this month.
In terms of tribute acts, you won’t find many as adored as the Happy Mondaze, and with that, the news of Marc James Watmough’s death has hit Manc music fans and avid ‘Madchester’ die-hards, specifically, rather hard.
Watmough was the lead singer who played the role of Shaun Ryder for more than a decade as part of the Mondaze – the number one Happy Mondays tribute band in the world – as well as being involved in other musical projects over the years.
His bandmates shared the following statement below on Tuesday, 8 April.
RIP Marc, great guy and frontman. Loved working with him. Sending love to his friends and family.
Speaking on social media, the real Shaun Ryder himself joined the procession of tributes online, writing simply: “RIP Marc James Watmough of Happy Mondaze. Sending condolences to Marc’s bandmates and loved ones.”
He is said to have died suddenly last week; the cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Fellow tribute artist Laid (who double as another iconic local band, James) said: “Really sad to hear this. God bless you all. Nothing But Love.”
Music event production company M35 Live went on to add: “Rest In Peace Marc. Gutted to hear this sad news. Remember when I first met Marc with his band New Antics many years ago pre-Mondaze. He was a star. We hit it off straight away – I booked his band New Antics and we became pals.
“Always a pleasure to work with, both with New Antics and later with Happy Mondaze. I recall clearly the day he phoned me, telling me he was putting together a Happy Mondays tribute group and he’d love me to be involved, management or whatever. I didn’t – had too much on at the time but wished him luck…
rip to marc james watmough,, lead singer of the happy mondays tribute band “happy mondaze” absolutely lovely chap. let me and my dad on the guestlist multiple times and was so so lovely💔 proper heartbroken to find out this news
— ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚anais˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆ (@autofiction__) April 9, 2025
“He was fired up for it – he hadn’t even got the band together at this stage, but he said he was already working on taking it on tour all over the UK and beyond. Well, Marc – you did it ‘r kid – smashed it. There was never any doubt. God bless you pal.” They shared an even lengthier tribute on their own page.
Several other tribute bands have paid tribute to the talented vocalist and charismatic performer, serving as yet more proof that this particular corner of the music world is a close-knit community that means a lot to those who make a living from it and the thousands who watch them every year.
Our thoughts go out to all of his friends and family during this difficult time.
There’s a FREE jazz festival coming to Manchester this summer
Thomas Melia
Manchester is about to get blessed by the music gods this summer as our annual free jazz festival is making its way to the city centre very soon.
Whether it’s the rich and creamy vocals of Raye that feel like a warm embrace or the lively and energetic horns of Ezra Collective that get you on your feet instantly, jazz is beloved among us Brits.
Jazz aficionados and music lovers alike are welcome to rejoice in the resounding rhythms of this special genre for free as Manchester Jazz Festival returns for an equally special anniversary.
This iconic festival, commonly abbreviated to MJF, has been blasting out triumphant horns, piano riffs, vocal scats and more for a whopping 30 years, and they’re inviting everyone to party with them.
Manchester Jazz Festival is returning to the city centre this May.This year, Manchester Jazz Festival are celebrating their milestone 30th birthday.Credit: Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)
Manchester Jazz Festival is taking over First Street with tonnes of family friendly activities, food and drink vendors and, of course, lots of live music.
So much live music that they don’t just have one stage; in fact, this summertime festival will be spread across three different stages with a sweet selection of over 20 different bands too.
This year sees the event running across three dates next month, all aimed at featuring the very best homegrown contemporary jazz artists, with a showcase for rising stars on the final day.
We got to see the likes of Nubiyan Twist, adopted Manc favourites Conor & The GreensKeepers, Mercury Prize-nominated Corto Alto and tonnes more last time around.
The first batch of activities that will be taking place on 16 May include crafting with the geniuses from Plant, an ‘interactive Alice in Wonderland show’ and even a free yoga session.
Of course, there will be plenty more announcements and updates to follow, but this is already set to be a vibrant and exciting three-day party dedicated to keeping everything groovy.
In order to keep Manchester Jazz Festival ‘jazzin up your summer since ’96‘, they rely on donations to make the event accessible for all, support northern artists and keep running incredible creative projects.
That’s why, to celebrate this festival’s milestone birthday, a ‘£30 for 30’ campaign has been set up to raise money for the charity, which you can contribute to as you like.
Manchester Jazz Festival is returning for 2025 throughout First Street and further out into Manchester city centre from 16-18 May; best of all, as mentioned, the large majority of shows are completely free with no prior booking required.
However, if you’d like to keep attending events such as this, once again, you can pledge a donation to their ‘£30 for 30’ campaign, and it really does make a big difference.
You can check out the full lineup and events programme HERE.
MJF 2025 is set to be packed with all the usual groovy tunes and fun activities.Smiles all round, especially when you’re watching live entertainment at this impressive festival.Credit: Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)
Danny Jones -
12th March 2025 
