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Experience ‘The Sound of Magic’ with a live performance of Disney classics in Manchester

Some of the most spellbinding soundscapes ever put on film, only played right in front of your very eyes.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 12th March 2025

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.

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.”

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.

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.

lion king live concert manchester
The Lion King
moana live concert
Moana
Credit: 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.

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.

‘On your left…’

An incredible performance of Marvel’s ‘Infinity Saga’ by a live orchestra is coming to Manchester
It may be a different arm of Disney, but this is still sure to be one of the most magical live concerts in Manchester this year.

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Featured Images — Disney (supplied)/Ardfern (via Wikimedia Commons)

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The adopted Manc indie pop star with that we’re backing to win the Mercury Prize this year

Danny Jones Danny Jones CMAT Mercury Prize shortlist 2025 favourites

The 2025 Mercury Music Prize shortlist is officially out, and we’re proud to say that the North has been well represented once again this time around, with multiple names from the top end of the nation featured among the nominees – including an adopted Manchester-based rising star.

You know what, cratch that: she might as well be a Manc music queen at this point, if you ask.

We may be heavily biased here, but with indie and alt-pop artist CMAT making her way onto the Mercury Music Prize award shortlist this year, our vote is practically already cast.

If you haven’t listened to CMAT yet, then you’re seriously missing out, and following the release of her latest LP, Euro-Country, at the end of August, it’s little surprise she’s earned the Mercury nod.

What is CMAT’s connection to Manchester?

She may be Irish-born, but the ‘Dubyone Diana’ truly started to make a name for herself in Manchester, and you’re damn right we’re taking her as one of our own.

Moving to 0161 as a teenager with her old band, Bad Sea, she was just 17 when she got here; now 29 and making fairly different music to the kind she did as part of the previous duo, she’s grown massively in popularity over the last few years – and she’s done a lot of it from right here in Greater Manchester.

From playing the city centre music venue circuit to stunning crowds at the likes of Kendal Calling and Glastonbury Festival, she’s come a long way in a relatively short amount of time.

Come on, if this isn’t award-winning energy, then we don’t know what is…

We welcome her to keep leaning into country music as much as she wants.

There’s another reason we want CMAT to win the Mercury Prize

It isn’t just because we’re somewhat biased local fans that we’re putting our money on her winning the 2025 Mercury Prize: she nearly already did this time last year for her sophomore outing, Crazymad, For Me, having released three impressive studio albums in less than 36 months.

Further reflecting on the second shortlisting, Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson (ergo, ‘CMAT’) went on to explain: “I had a weird thing happen at the Mercury Prize 2024 when Annie Mac was announcing who the winner was.

“As she was reading it, I had this weird flip in my stomach, that I didn’t want to win the Mercury Prize for THAT record, because I had a feeling I could make something better.

“Two days later, I started to make EURO-COUNTRY. The Mercury Prize put a bottle rocket up my bum, to try and do something a bit more cutting edge and experimental and intense, if that makes sense.”

She signed off by adding, “I didn’t necessarily expect to be nominated again as a result, but I am very happy to have been.” We had a feeling she would, to be honest, hence why she was among our artists of the month – not even a fortnight before the shortlist was announced, no less.

Five Manchester artists we’ve been listening to this month | August 2025
You say CMAT was our headliner last month, and rightly so, Euro-Country is an absolute triumph.

Thompson joins the likes of resurgent Sheffield Britpop icons, Pulp, as well as Wolf Alice, FKA twigs and lots more talented acts on the list.

Not only are there plenty of Northerners on the list, but our friends over in Yorkshire have had another big year too.

Leeds jazz musician Emma-Jean Thackray has also been nominated, and with the story behind her most recent heartbreaking but brilliant material, it’s no surprise.

Unsurprisingly, the likes of Fontaines D.C. and Sam Fender are also on there after a standout 12 months for both artists, but we’re sticking with CMAT for our 2025 Mercury Prize winner. After all, surely she can’t miss out two years in a row?

You can see the full list of nominees down below:

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Featured Images — Raph_PH (via Flickr)/Publicity picture

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Sugababes announced as headliner for this year’s Homobloc queer block party

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Homobloc is returning for 2025 - full line-up announced

Homobloc has unveiled its line-up for this year’s massive queer block party, and they’ve roped in Sugababes as a headliner for 2025.

The phenomenal LGBTQ+ party, which takes over Depot Mayfield every year as part of the Warehouse Project season, will also see performances from Honey Dijon, The Blessed Madonna, and Beth Ditto.

The huge line-up also includes Patrick Mason, Slayyyter, Peaches (DJ) b2b Erol Alkan, Hercules And Love Affair – Live, Todd Edwards and many more.

As well as music, there’ll be performance art from queer collectives like Pxssy Palace, Butch Revival, T4T, Feel It, Ghetto Fabulous, House of Spice x Zindagi, and Red Rodeo Club.

Taking place in December, Homobloc will be returning for its sixth edition, with its most diverse line-up yet.

Once again, it’ll be an all-evening-and-into-the-night party that’s all-inclusive to all artists, performers, spectators and clubbers.

Homobloc is one of the biggest dates in the calendar for Manchester, with a diverse line-up of live acts, DJs and performers, showcasing rising talent and queer icons alike.

It’s a party with purpose, too, raising £137,399 for vital LGBTQ+ charities since its inaugural event in 2021.

This year, the team have hosted a series of one-off events, including events with Romy, Princess Superstar, and closing Manchester International Festival, as well as making its Ibiza debut at Amnesia.

This winter, Homobloc will be lead by pop royalty Sugababes, fresh from their European tour.

Sugababes will headline Homobloc 2025
Sugababes will headline Homobloc 2025. Credit: Jody Hartley
Sugababes will headline Homobloc 2025
Credit: Jody Hartley

Homobloc favourites Honey Dijon and The Blessed Madonna will be back once again, plus Berlin-based techno powerhouse and creative director Patrick Mason, the iconic Ana Matronic of Scissor Sisters fame, and a rare DJ set from Gossip’s magnetic frontwoman, Beth Ditto.

The line-up also includes American singer Slayyyter, a special b2b DJ sets from electroclash icon Peaches and Erol Alkan, live performance from dance music project Hercules & Love Affair, and a set from Grammy Award-winning house legend Todd Edwards.

There will be DJ sets from Sally C b2b I.Jordan, Roi Perez, Eliza Rose, Joshua James, Fat Tony, Grace Sands, and Manchester’s Aiden Francis, Gina Breeze and Kim Lana.

It’s all taking places across all three main stages at Depot Mayfield, as well as The Plant Room, the Star & Garter pub next door, and the Loft up on the rooftop.

Rod Connolly, Promoter from Homobloc, commented: “We can’t wait for people to dive into our 2025 lineup of queer excellence, proudly merging global and local artists, returning friends, and scratching the underbelly of the scene to showcase the rawest talent from the queer underground.

Homobloc 2025 line-up annouced
Homobloc 2025 line-up announced. Credit: Jody Hartley

“In a time of rising division, events like Homobloc matter more than ever. We deserve a space for our community and allies to come together and hold each other up on a dancefloor full of love and resistance.

“We are the beings the bastards can’t grind down and we invite everyone to join us to shake off the bullshit, recharge, realign and carry our queer power back out onto the streets of Manchester.”

Sophie Bee, Homobloc Creative Director, added: “The team are super excited to be back. We’ve got some unreal collaborations booked in for this year, from Jodie Harsh and Clayton Wright’s London community strong, weekly club night Feel It to local hot talent Rojak.

“Loads of favourites are back like the Fvck Pigs, Sue Veneers, Ghetto Fabulous, Cute Cartel and Jay Jay Revlon, and there’s some really exciting b2b’s. We’re working with mind blowing producers such as Runway X Banksie and the nations favourite, Lill, producing a fabulous line up of queens.

“We’re also cooking away at some special happenings with Sam Buttery and Beau Azra. As always, we just want to blow your socks off and have the best time with all our pals.”

House Of Spice commented: “Homobloc is more than a festival to us – it’s a celebration of queerness, music, and chosen family.

“As a South Asian, Middle Eastern and North African queer brown collective, House of Spice is proud to bring our flavour to 2025, featuring Club Zindagi, Armana Khan, Shanika Sunrise, DJ Chafik, and our performers Lucky Roy Singh (Mother), Mixed Spice, Chilli Spice, Saffy Saffron Spice, and Rachel Pro-Filing.

“Together we’re excited to create a space that is unapologetically free, joyful, and rooted in community. Homobloc represents unity and visibility, and we can’t wait to dance, perform, and celebrate with everyone under one roof.”

This year’s Homobloc is set to take place on Saturday 6 December – grab your tickets HERE.

Pre-sale will be live on Thursday 11 September at 10am ahead of general sale from 10am on Friday 12 September.

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Featured image: Supplied, Jody Hartley

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