Finally, summer is here, the sun is actually shining fairly consistently, the pints, gigs and festivals are flowing like the Irwell and, as always, Manchester music is looking great on all fronts.
If this is your first time jumping on this monthly series, first of all, welcome and secondly, the premise is pretty simple: we spotlight all the best Manchester artists coming out of 0161, be they a new up-and-coming star, an unsung creative, or someone who is finally breaking through into more people’s playlists.
Better still, we cover things from all across the local scene and you’re in for a treat this time as we’ve got lots of genres in the mix because we’re nothing if not eclectic.
So, let’s not waste any more time chatting on – here are the five Manchester-based music artists we’ve been listening to throughout July.
The best new music coming out of Greater Manchester this month
1. manta
First up on our list this month is lesser-known solo artist and producer Manta but, trust us, his status as a well-kept secret won’t last much longer; this guy is blowing all over social media and TikTok, especially. Born in Japan, raised in Skipton and now based in 0161, he’s leading the rise of ‘bedroom pop’.
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The independent alt-pop singer-songwriter will strike a chord with anyone who enjoys the likes of Dominic Fike, Dijon, Easy Life, Kenny Beats, Matt Champion and Mk.Gee, also stunning viewers with the behind-the-scenes of his creative low-budget videos and his mix of indie, hip-hop, neo-soul and more.
Manta doesn’t have a song as catchy as ‘wishful thinking’ (see below), but his first song ‘Dream World’ from back in 2021 is still his most streamed song, and understandably so, but we also love ‘Clementine’ – plus, with just two EPs to get through, you can catch up on his discography before he blows up.
Next up is a name we’ve shown a lot of love for some time now and after seeing him live twice, we can confirm Seb Lowe and co. gives us the exact kind of energy you expect from any young artist/band looking to set themselves apart from the ever-saturated Manc music crowd.
Specialising not only in a unique blend of alt and punk-infused indie rock, the Oldham-born musician has all the poetic sociopolitical swagger of a modern Billy Bragg, only with more shades of John Cooper Clarke if he was on fast-forward, and all the aggression of ‘insert modern post-punk act here’.
As much as there are a lot of layers sonically – perhaps most notably the violin from Kate Couriel – he often shines most when it’s just him, his acoustic guitar and some emphatic world play front and centre. ‘Terms and Conditions’ is essential listening, ‘Kill him (he’s a Socialist)’ sums up his flare perfectly, and new single ‘5168 Days’ feels like a snapshot of the zeitgeist that you simply have to hear.
On to a much smoother sound on the ears, the R’n’B duo made up of twin sisters Hope and Millie Katana may have been born in Kenya but they were brought up right here in Manchester and have helped bring that culture right through to their music, earning the first-ever Mayor’s Artist of the Month last year.
From the East African influences laced throughout their drumbeats, the irresistible soul in their voices that saw them chosen by the one and only Janelle Monáe for her three-night residency at Aviva Studios, to the sheer style they exert in their fashion and stage presence, they’re the complete package.
Their 2021 sophomore album Resurgence may very be one of the chillest things you’ll ever listen to and we could genuinely recommend every track off it but, for the sake of variety, we’ll go with ‘Summer Never Dies’, ‘Can’t Stop It’ and ‘Smile’ – all incredible songs and equally good entry points.
There are some obvious comparisons to draw with the likes of Little Simz in the rapping, only with much more Northern familiarity, but there are flavours of fellow Brits R.A.E. and LayFullStop, American contemporaries like Lexa Gates in moments and even Misha B in certain singing sections.
With that distinct UK style of delivery, 24-year-old Manchester MC Meduulla regularly switches up the flow no matter how vibey and effortlessly laid-back the melody itself is, making for probably one of our favourites not just in the homegrown hip-hop space but among the female artists coming out of the city full stop.
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Her song with Sakara entitled ‘Silly’ sounds like SZA meets PinkPantheress with a touch of modern afrobeats, the version of ‘Night Trip’ with angelic harmonies from Manc vocalist Prima always hits our ear right, but you simply have to start with ‘Mish Muulla’. We also can’t get enough of her whole visual aesthetic – exhibit A:
Btw there will be a free drinks tab so don’t be late n bring a date x https://t.co/8GzM5IGWYM
And in one of those moments we always love, our fifth and final pick for rising Manchester artists we’ve been listening to this month, we stumbled across local hip-hop collective and production crew The Mouse Outfit simply through hearing their tune with Meduulla, ‘Limbo’ – one of their many collaborators.
One of her best-loved tracks to date, it’s just the top of the iceberg when it comes to this lot, who have been rather quietly putting out some of the best, most nostalgic and varied beats on the scene since 2011. We put these guys in the category of once you hear them you can’t help but deep dive.
You could literally chime with any one of their musical multitudes that might tickle your brain just right. We won’t pretend to be complete experts as relatively new fans, but we’d kick off with ‘Step Steadier’, then the jazz-heavy ‘Know My Face’ before trying ‘Feeling High’, featuring two more Manchester-based artists in king of the underground, KinKai, and Lisbon-born rising star IAMDDB.
They can give you garage flavours like this one minute and then something completely different the next – and that’s why we love them.
We hope you get these into your rotation soon and feel free to thank us later, as always.
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Of course, we urge you to go back through previous editions if you’re looking to spice up your go-to artists even more and we’ll even last month’s down below for sake of ease.
Legendary funk and soul act Kool and the Gang are finally coming back to Manchester
Danny Jones
In case you hadn’t heard already, iconic funk, soul, and R’n’B artist Kool and the Gang are finally coming back to Manchester after far too long away from our musical city for a massive arena gig later this year.
Coming back to 0161 ‘For One Night Only’, the award-winning US supergroup and industry giants are set to make their first appearance here in over 15 years.
With a rich back catalogue and a career spanning six decades, not to mention multiple genres including funk, soul, disco, jazz (how they first began as an ensemble) and more, it’s only fitting they be given the top billing at the one and only AO Arena.
After Manc fans have had to wait for long, this is sure to be a night of ‘Summertime Madness’.
Though they need no real introduction if you know your music history, specifically African-American and Black music culture, Kool and the Gang are arguably one of the most influential acts to ever make it.
Having performed together longer than other R’n’B outfit on the planet, stood as one of the most sampled artists of all time and released a staggering 34 studio albums to date, they’re nothing short of foundational.
While, sadly, there is only founding member Robert ‘Kool’ Bell left from the original lineup formed back in 1964, the various iterations of the surviving live band have captured that same effortless cool, charisma, and effortless control of a crowd on the road that made the OG Gang such a toue de force.
As well as touring with everyone from Elton John and the Dave Matthews Band to The Roots and even a 50-city tour alongside equally legendary rock group, Van Halen, they have no shortage of accolades to their name.
How does two Grammys, seven American Music Awards (AMAs), a BET Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award; a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a place in the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; 25 Top Ten R&B hits, nine top ten hits in the pop charts, as well as 31 gold and platinum albums, strike you?
— Melodies & Masterpieces (@SVG__Collection) May 27, 2025
Best known for beloved tracks like ‘Celebration’, ‘Get Down On It’, ‘Cherish’ and ‘Jungle Boogie’, just to name a very small few (again, their discography is huge), you’ve most likely heard their songs or at least one of their serially sampled beats more times than its possible to count.
Yep, if there’s anyone that deserves the ‘icon’ moniker, it’s these lot.
Kool and the Gang come to the AO Arena in Manchester next month on Friday, 11 July and will have fellow British soul counterparts, The Real Thing, who looked to mirror their success throughout the ’70s, along for the ride.
General admission tickets are already on sale as we speak – you can grab yours HERE.
Every bit of live entertainment coming to Haydock Park Racecourse this summer | The Jockey Club Live 2025
Danny Jones
With festival season officially underway and a music-filled summer approaching faster than Stone Folca down the final furlong, we’ll take any chance to sing and dance under the sun we can get, so it’s a good job that what’s on at Haydock Park Racecourse this year is great and there’s plenty of it.
That’s right, The Jockey Club Live experience at Haydock Park is back for 2025, and there’s another incredible lineup of acts joining the punters over the next few months.
Having already seen the likes of Craig David, Busted and the Sugababes, as well as rather fittingly named local band, Red Rum Club, most recently, we’ve had some ruddy good times soaking up The Jockey Club festivities and libations, and this year is already off to a storming start.
You can catch a glimpse of our latest visit to the races down below for a taster. In short, it was a blast.
As you can see, not only are the spirits high and free-flowing (if you catch our drift) at Haydock Park, but there’s more than just racing and betting slips when it comes to what’s on there during the summer.
In addition to plenty of food and drink, every year as part of their Music Night programme, The Jockey Club well and truly puts the Live in ‘live entertainment’ with a whole host of big names.
For instance, here’s who is coming up at Haydock this summer…
What’s on at Haydock Park Racecourse this summer?
Tom Jones – Friday, 4 July
Perhaps the biggest name on the bill this year is the legendary Welsh soul singer and pop veteran SIR Tom Jones; that’s right, you could be in the presence of a real knight this July.
The 85-year-old who has enjoyed a career spanning more than six decades on stage clearly couldn’t get enough the first time around, as Mr ‘Sex Bomb’ himself is coming back to the racecourse for a full headline slot as part of his ‘Defy Explanation’ tour.
Speaking ahead of another visit, he said: “Performing live is the centre of my life and I’m really pleased to be returning to Haydock Park Racecourse to play to such a welcoming audience. The Jockey Club Live shows are exciting dates in my calendar – the fans really enjoy the day, so [they] are always sensational.”
‘I can’t wait to spend a Summer’s evening with everyone this July.’ (Credit: Raph_PH via Flickr)
Becky Hill – Friday, 8 August
A month later, you can catch a contemporary pop queen and fellow British chart favourite, as solo star Becky Hill will be heading to Haydock for a headline performance of her own.
The Bewdley-born singer-songwriter and regular dance track feature artist already has 22 top 40 songs to her name and is pushing even further into the electronic music scene of late, with one of her newest hits, Swim’, becoming another big hit.
Jockey Club said of her date: “We’re so excited to be welcoming Becky and her phenomenal live show to Haydock Park. Tickets start from just £40, continuing our reputation for providing value-for-money entertainment destination for the region and beyond.”
‘With thousands of tickets for Red Rum Club sold in the presale alone, we’re urging fans to secure their spot for next summer soon to avoid disappointment.’ (Credit: Press shot supplied via Chuff Media)
Next up: Jamie Webster – 21 June
But before both of these big British names is a local Merseyside legend, as indie guitarist and Liverpool-fan anthem specialist Jamie Webster will be heading down the road for what is sure to be a very popular night on home turf.
The ‘Weekend In Paradise’ and ‘This Place’ singer may have got his break performing to supporters around Anfield, but his music journey since then has been nothing short of remarkable – a real Northern, working-class success story in action.
Our Audio North team spoke to Webster ahead of his Haydock Park show on Saturday, 21 June and let’s just say we’re now more invested than ever in hearing Jamie play his third studio album, 10 For The People, for… well – you get it.
Better still, the party doesn’t stop once the summer is over, as The Jockey Club Live will be holding a number of other events throughout the rest of the year, not to mention all the usual horse-racing action at Haydock Park.
You can find out more information on the above and everything else on at the racecourse, as well as grab tickets to any of the dates that take your fancy right HERE.
Danny Jones -
30th July 2024 
