‘Hello… is it more Manc tunes you’re looking for?’ because if so, you’re in the right place, as it’s time to reel off a whole new list of new music and Manchester artists we’ve been listening to over the past 30 days or so.
Give or take – you know how months work.
If you are new around here, it’s all very simple: every few weeks, we round up a load of local bands, duos, solo acts and everything in between to help spread some love and exposure to the wonderful talents that have been stuck in our rotations and so on.
Honestly, it really is that straightforward, and there’s no point in faffing around any longer, so let’s just get stuck into September’s Manc artists of the month.
Manchester music we’ve been listening to lately
1. SHADE
Now, this first one is rather bittersweet, because despite having just gotten back into SHADE, we’ve sadly learned that the lads are seemingly looking to wrap things up as a musical unit in just a matter of days with their final ever headline show right here in Manchester.
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The native four-piece band have always managed a good balance of the indie-rock split and, in our opinion, only gotten better with time; the instrumentation is tighter, Luke Owens’ vocals have come into their own, and the overall music itself is better produced.
Unfortunately, the lads never quite got the following we feel they deserved, and for whatever reasons, they confirmed they’re calling time after five years with one last gig at Gorilla. There’s a farewell after-party at Night and Day too, so come help us sing ‘Neverdie’, ‘Break Out’, ‘Lost in The World Together’ and more one last time.
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2. Roxanne
From an example of a group coming to the end of the journey to one just at the beginning of theirs, number two is fellow Manc indie and alt-rock outfit Roxanne, who look to be developing a slow-moving, haunting, ethereal wave/shoegaze sound. It’s still too early to tell, but we’re certainly interested.
These guys recently caught some attention via grassroots events at the likes of Stage and Radio, and Mother Mary’s; now they have ours. A minor gripe, ironically, is that these lot are yet to put on the red light and record much studio material – at least nothing that they’ve dropped as far as we can find so far.
On the upside, you can at least be in from the ground floor for when they do finally release stuff, and even from the little demo teasers they’ve shared on social media so far, we think it’s well worth keeping an eye on how their first proper releases fare.
In at number three is someone at the opposite end of the spectrum: New Jersey-born BC Camplight – real name, Brian James Christinzio – who’s been around for some 20 or so years now, releasing plenty of music, but that we’ve somehow only just started cottoning onto now he’s based in Greater Manchester.
Camplight released album number seven just this past June, and it’s nothing short of one of the coolest, most creative, candid and most surprising things we may have EVER listened to. It feels abstract, post-modern and absurdist at times, but the highly idiosyncratic and anecdotal lyrics remind us of John Grant and a slightly calmer sounding Petey USA.
We’ll definitely be working our way backwards through his discography over the coming weeks to see how he’s developed such a unique sound over the decades, but for now we’ll reccommend you start with ‘The Tent’ and ‘Two Legged Dog’, which features Abigail Moss from The Last Dinner Party, as well as the title track, ‘A Sober Conversation‘. Some truly staggering and style-sprawling work.
You can help but wiggle your head and shoulders within seconds of hitting play.
4. Mae Grace
Switching from post-modern vibes to post-punk, next up is a fledgling five-piece fronted by, you guessed it: Mae Grace Williams. Another product of BIMM (British and Irish Modern Music Institute) University’s city centre campus, like Roxanne, they’re also still very early days, but there’s undeniable talent there.
Backed by the monthly ‘New Cult’ nights, which are hosted by indie record label Heist or Hit and held at NQ pub turned live music venue, The Rat and Pigeon, not only must we praise the showcase itself, but we’re not the only ones who have been intrigued by their embryonic stages.
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There are elements of spoken word and prog rock guitar at points; we don’t know exactly what genre we’d call it or what they’re even going for in their infancy, but with another gig this autumn supporting Adult Leisure on Sunday, 2 November, your best chance of judging for yourselves is seeing them live.
Last but certainly not least is another Manchester-based project we’ve only just come across, but with just three songs to their name on Spotify, we don’t think we’ve been quite this excited by a local debut for a while now. And for bloody good reason, we think.
Moss Side Sauna Club isn’t just one of the best band names we’ve heard in ages, but the highly alternative, DIY, almost garage-rock act which throws in all manner of distortion, electronics, pedals, and more to build their deeply-layered and admittedly rather noisy experience. MSSC is its own sonic profile.
Even with all the processing and effects, it somehow doesn’t sound too cluttered either – at least not on tape, anyway. We’re yet to see them live for ourselves, but the triumvirate consisting of Will Brooks, Maddy Storm and Sam Craighan have got us gassed with their first trio of tracks. Watch. This. Space.
Would you look at that? We’re done with September’s round-up of new Greater Manchester music we’ve been listening to lately, just like that.
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It wasn’t intentional, but by and large, we really did spotlight some very up-and-coming acts on the scene for the most part. We love finding musicians right at their inception or riding the crest of a fresh wave of interest.
As always, we’ll be back again next month with more for you and in the meantime, you can always look back at Manchester bands and artists, be they new, current or old, that we’ve spotlighted in the past.
Featured Images — Bella Union/press shot (supplied)/SHADE (via Facebook)
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The best Northern music artists of the month | June 2026
Danny Jones
It’s that time again: we’re back with more fantastic musical artists from across the country’s incredibly creative and talented Northern reaches.
Yes, in case you missed the switch-up in our last edition, with our Audio North team’s work only ramping up by the minute, we’re no longer just sticking to Manchester acts.
After last month’s edition, which saw us gather five different recommendations from all over the North, we’ve got five more bands and artists for you.
Whether it’s an up-and-coming act or one you’ve just forgotten about – maybe they’ve got some notable new material for the first time in a fair while – so long as they’re from up this direction, we’re trying to give props wherever we can. Let’s get stuck in, shall we?
Names from the North we’ve been listening to lately
1. Aaron Dinning
First up, of course, we most certainly will be starting with our official Audio North Artist of the Month for June: Aaron Dinning – a wonderful singer-songwriter who straddles roots in the North East, Yorkshire and now Greater Manchester.
A fast-growing LGBTQIA+ figure, this Durham-born solo artist reflects plenty on what it was like growing up gay on Wearside, as well as how he’s begun to carve a career path of his own thus far, studying and finding his feet in Leeds before moving to 0161.
There’s simply so much both we and, more importantly, HE has to say about his work: which is why you can read our full write-up about this talented young artist right HERE.
In at number two is a name who’s been steadily growing in popularity and who also has her foot in more than one camp; the Glasgow-born adopted scouser that is Brooke Combe is someone we think is only one or two big moments away from blowing up, so enjoy her as ‘your new thing’ while you can.
From seeing her live at the since-closed Canvas (now Ambers) in Manchester city centre as part of Neighbourhood Festival years ago, to catching her playing one of the bigger slots at 2026’s Weekender version in Warrington, the momentum is building.
So much so, we even saw her opening up for showbiz star Jeff Goldblum earlier this year – she even got him to drink IRN BRU. ‘Are You With Me? is the first song we ever heard, and we’ve been hooked ever since, be it ‘How Can I Tell You? (To Love Me More)’ or her new single ‘Tears Won’t Lie’.
Just by chance, a few years ago, we came across a unique gig series by INNSide North UK and Meliá Hotels, where budding artists were being invited to play intimate stripped-back sets from a bedroom: it was here that we first stumbled upon the Geordie charmer, Andrew Cushin.
We think this lad has the voice, lyricism, style and kind of soon-to-bloom following to go to the next level, especially with the right support shows and festival stages; having his song feature on the BBC’s World Cup 2026 coverage certainly hasn’t hurt.
Recommendation-wise, ‘Where’s My Family Gone’ never gets old and we enjoy the upbeat, summery rock energy of his latest track, ‘Goodbye’, and we love the passion locals show for the cult favourite ‘Wor Flags’ in honour of beloved Newcastle United and the dedicated supporters group of the same name.
4. Keyside
Another Liverpudlian entry, rising quartet Keyside have a fervent and super-engaged fan base that’s developing much faster than most recently formed four-pieces you’ll find within this already oversaturated genre; having only been around since 2022, they’re already doing bits.
Whether it be the somewhat high-pitched and perfect level of nasally vocals, the often folky-sounding style of guitar, or at least three out of four haircuts reminding us of The Kooks, there’s something very attractive about their particular jangly brand of indie revival.
I promise that my own personal passion for anything citrus-related isn’t the only reason I enjoy ‘Lemon And Lime’, and as for other standouts, we’d recommend trying out ‘Angeline’ and ‘Runaway’ from their upcoming self-titled debut album in just a few weeks’ time.
See us live on our UK Instore tour
06 Aug – Bury – 5pm sold out – 9pm show just added ‼️ 07 Aug – Leeds – low tickets ‼️ 08 Aug – Liverpool – selling fast ‼️ 09 Aug – London 10 Aug – Nottingham 13 Aug – Glasgow 14 Aug – Edinburgh – low tickets ‼️
Last but not least, we want to heap some long overdue praise on West Yorkshire‘s very own Embrace, a.k.a. the eternal underdogs of domestic alternative rock but one for which our soft spot will never go away. Call it post-Britpop, ‘dad rock’ – call it whatever you want, all we know is we still love these lot.
Perhaps a slight victim of breaking through right after one of the golden eras of guitar-driven music this country has ever seen, it feels like five-piece has never quite been given the plaudits they deserve for consistently putting out beyond solid studio material for the best part of three decades.
We’ve found that they sometimes fall into the category of band where you know their tracks even if you don’t know it’s the – think ‘Gravity’ and ‘Ashes’ – but we’re still eagerly awaiting the day we get to hear the likes of ‘Road to Nowhere’ and our new obsessession, ‘Funny’, in the, at times, genuinely anthemic stadium rock setting they deserve. Just watch them celebrate another top 10 album this month.
There’s something very charming and old-school about this music video.
Sadly, that’s all she wrote – at least until next month anyway.
As always, we sincerely hope you enjoy our picks, and please do drop in any suggestions of what we should listen to next ahead of July’s round-up.
We’re already totting up a few names, and truth be told, we’re still listening to plenty from May’s list, too.
Andy Burnham has revealed his 13 favourite albums and some Manc classics are included
Emily Sergeant
Music lovers, gather round… fancy finding out what the could-be Prime Minister’s favourite albums of all time are?
Well, we’ve uncovered a list of 13 of them, and there’s some proper Manc classics included.
Right, in case you need bringing up to speed, let’s just get the politics bit out of the way first. After it was announced last month that Andy Burnham had clinched the victory in the crucial Makerfield by-election, winning 24,927 votes (54.8% vote share) and a majority of 9,231, he then went onto announce his intention to run for Labour Party leader, and therefore Prime Minister, after Keir Starmer confirmed he would be stepping down.
This week, Burnham delivered his first speech as part of his ongoing campaign, addressing how he plans to take the country in a ‘new direction’.
He declared that he wants to bring the ‘Greater Manchester way’ to Westminster… but who knew that meant his music taste too?
Uncovered from a couple of years ago now on Quietus – an independent music and cultural criticism online publication – Andy Burnham revealed his 13 favourite albums as part of their ‘Baker’s Dozen’ series, and alongside some famous critically-acclaimed records, there are also a few unexpected gems in the mix, and (of course) some Manchester classics too.
Picking 13 albums for this was apparently ‘really hard’, Burnham said, and not because it’s a lot to choose but because ‘it’s just so few’.
“A disclaimer” he went on to add, “these are not necessarily my favourite 13 albums, but instead these are the ones that had an impact on my life or were significant moments in my life. I tried to use that as my guide.”
On the list you’ll find, in no particular order, selections from some iconic bands like The Beatles’ popular compilation album 1962-1966 – also known as ‘The Red Album’ – Radiohead’s 1997 project OK Computer, often considered to be their magnum opus, and The Strokes’ debut album Is This It?
You’ll also find some of the most revered albums by Manchester bands on there, including The Stone Roses’ self-titled album, The Smiths’ Hatful of Hollow, and New Order’s Power, Corruption and Lies.
Andy Burnham’s 13 Favourite Albums
The Beatles – 1962-1966 (The Red Album)
The Smiths – Hatful of Hollow
The Pogues – Rum, Sodomy And The Lash
The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses
The Wedding Present – George Best
The La’s – The La’s
Billy Bragg – William Bloke
Radiohead – OK Computer
Doves – The Last Broadcast
The Strokes – Is This It?
Big Thief – Capacity
New Order – Power, Corruption and Lies
Courteeners – Falcon
Andy Burnham has revealed his 13 favourite albums of all time / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
It’s not just the so-called legendary Greater Manchester bands that have been given a shoutout on Burnham’s lineup, as there’s also the inclusion of Courteeners’ Falcon and Doves’ The Last Broadcast.
As well as the more-expected picks, there’s even a couple underrated choices on his list too like The Wedding Present’s George Best, and Big Thief’s Capacity – the latter of which also happens to be one of my personal favourite albums of all time too, and has one of my favourite songs on there as well, so I have to say, I was very (pleasantly) surprised to see it included.
For each of his thirteen picks, Burnham has explained why he’s chosen the albums, where he was in life when he discovered them, and what they all mean to him.
One particularly interesting anecdote he told in relation to Courteeners’ Falcon, Burnham wrote: “There’s a song on there called ‘Take Over The World. Early on in my failed Labour leadership campaign in 2015, I went to see them with my mate Steve Rotherham, now mayor of Liverpool City Region but then my campaign manager.
“We went to see them at Heaton Park, we were in the early days of this campaign where I thought we might win, and we were arm in arm belting out ‘Take Over the World’ together.
Danny Jones -
30th September 2025 
