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.
Lorde to play massive Manchester gig later this year as part of world tour
Emily Sergeant
Lorde has announced she’s heading out on a massive world tour later this year, and of course she’s stopping off in Manchester.
The New Zealand-born singer-songwriter undeniably burst onto the music scene at the tender age of 16 with her runaway number one hit ‘Royals’ all the way back in 2013, and has been successfully cementing herself as a household name ever since.
Following her debut single, she has gone on to break several records with the releases of her first three studio albums.
She has also scooped up a handful of GRAMMYs and BRIT awards along the way.
Lorde is set to play a massive Manchester gig at the AO Arena later this year / Credit: Supplied
The 28-year-old – who is known and loved for her unconventional style of pop music and introspective songwriting – has recently delighted fans by confirming that she’ll be releasing her fourth studio album, titled Virgin, towards the end of next month, and not long after that highly-anticipated release is when you’ll be able to catch her taking to one of Manchester‘s biggest stages.
Fans of the critically-acclaimed pop star will be able to grab tickets to see Lorde when she performs at Manchester’s AO Arena on Saturday 15 November 2025 as part of the Ultrasound Tour.
Other major UK cities she’ll be stopping off at include London, Birmingham, and Glasgow – making this a somewhat exclusive ticket to get your hands on.
Tickets are set to go on general sale next week, following several pre-sales in the days leading up to it.
Support for Lorde’s Manchester gig is to come from equally-revered singer-songwriter and record producer, Dev Hynes – better known by his stage name, Blood Orange – who is believed to have lent several co-production credits to Lorde’s upcoming fourth studio album.
Fellow producer Jim-E Stack will also provide support in Manchester.
Lorde will be taking to the AO Arena stage here in Manchester on Saturday 15 November, and tickets officially go on general sale next Friday 16 May at 10am.
General sale follows two pre-sales – a Three+ Presale on Wednesday 14 May, followed by an AO Arena-specific Presale on Thursday 15 May, both going on sale again at 10am.
Find out more and get tickets when they go on sale here.
Featured Image – Thistle Brown (Supplied)
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Olly Murs at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more
Thomas Melia
The ‘Troublemaker’ himself Olly Murs is ready to cause some more chaos, and this time he’s returning to Manchester with throwback boyband, Blue.
X Factor and British star Olly Murs is embarking on his latest UK arena tour, which feels more like lads on tour with a helping hand from UK boyband, Blue.
Back in the late noughties, it was hard to escape the blazer-wearing, trilby-wearing popstar as he was dropping back-to-back bangers like ‘Heart Skips a Beat’ and doo-wop inspired ‘Dance With Me Tonight’.
Now, this cheeky chappy is embarking on the ’15 Years Of Hits – Live 2025′ tour, where he’ll be belting out all those classics as well as some more recent tunes too.
Olly Murs is coming to Co-op Live in Manchester this week.Credit: Marcos Moreno via Wikimedia Commons
Are there tickets left for Olly Murs’ Co-op Live gig?
There are just a few tickets left for Olly Murs at Co-op Live, so make sure you bag yours before your ‘Heart Skips a Beat’.
To see a range of tickets and prices in all sections of this impressive new entertainment venue, Co-op Live, tickets can be found HERE.
Plus, even if you miss out on the Co-op Live, we wouldn’t worry too much, because the British popstar is also coming to AO Arena later this month near the end of his tour with tickets HERE.
Olly Murs 2025 tour – ’15 Years Of Hits’ setlist
This Essex chap might have a solid setlist which he follows night in and night out, but he’s no stranger to being a bit ‘Unpredictable’ – I mean, he’s bringing a flamethrower on stage…
After being on our screens and airwaves for almost two decades, it’s no surprise that this setlist is lengthy, totalling at just over 20 songs, give or take the 80s medley weaved into the mix.
Who doesn’t love a bit of ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ paired alongside Murs’ stacked setlist?
Troublemaker
Right Place Right Time
Please Don’t Let Me Go
Thinking of Me
Oh My Goodness
Heart Skips a Beat
Kiss Me
Army of Two
Hand on Heart
Up
Die of a Broken Heart / I Found Her / Dancing on Cars / I Hate You When You’re Drunk (Marry Me Medley)
Seasons
You Don’t Know Love
I’m Your Man / Never Gonna Give You Up / Livin’ On a Prayer / Beat It / Careless Whisper / I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) / I’m So Excited (80s Medley)
Dear Darlin’
Years & Years
Never Been Better
Wrapped Up
Save Me
Dance With Me Tonight
What are the stage times for Olly Murs in Manchester?
Olly Murs sporting his usual blazer and top-hat style back in 2013.
Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, meaning concertgoers can be ‘Wrapped Up’ in the Essex popstar’s hits without having to worry about getting home too late. It’s a school night after all!
Doors for Olly Murs’ ‘15 Years Of Hits – Live 2025’ are scheduled for 6:30pm, with a kick-off time of 7:30pm and support from 2000s UK boyband, Blue.
The BRIT Award winners, Eurovision-performing and one-time chart toppers, are back together once again and about to take us back to pop school as we re-learn the words to boyband textbook classics, including ‘All Rise’, Best in Me’, ‘Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word’ and more.
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, fortunately, it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre; they run until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there are limited parking spaces available at the venue but these must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are also designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day – though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.