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.
Pop icons S Club announce new arena tour, with huge Manchester gig
Daisy Jackson
S Club will be heading back to Manchester on a newly-announced 13-date arena tour next year.
The pop icons have announced the Ain’t No Party Like A S Club Party tour, which will see Bradley, Jo, Jon, Rachel and Tina back on stage for the ultimate pop party.
The huge tour includes a night at the AO Arena in Manchester, as well as two gigs at the O2 in London.
S Club are one of Britain’s most successful pop groups, formerly known as S Club 7, who went on to become a cultural phenomenon with their own TV series – one of which, L.A. 7, remains the highest-rated programme of all time on CBBC.
Their smash hits include Reach, Don’t Stop Movin, Bring It All Back, Never Had A Dream Come True, and S Club Party.
In 2023, S Club celebrated their 25th anniversary with a sellout UK and US tour, shortly after the tragic death of former member Paul Cattermole.
Now, five of the original seven are ready to bring the party back to Manchester, as S Club return to the stage.
They’ll have very special guests supporting on the tour too, announcing Boyzlife, the supergroup made up of the former Boyzone and Westlife members Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden.
S Club say: “We can’t wait to get back out on tour, see you all and celebrate the songs, memories and moments we’ve shared together over the years.
“It’s going to be one BIG party, and we want you all to be part of it!”
S Club will play the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday 9 October 2027.
Tickets for all shows go on sale at 9.30am on Friday 6 November HERE.
Manic Street Preachers and Suede at Co-op Live, Manchester – stage times, setlists, and more
Daisy Jackson
Beloved British bands Manic Street Preachers and Suede are back on the road with another co-headline UK tour, including a massive Manchester date.
The two seasoned UK rock artists have teamed up for a huge run of live shows, which will bring them to the Co-op Live this week.
Both will be playing tracks from their newest releases – as well as a fair few of the hits.
The Welsh rock icons and the long-standing 1990s favourites from the London scene have more than 75 years of experience between them, with both outfits forming in the mid to late 80s.
This co-headline arena tour marks the biggest collaboration to date for both legendary bands and offers a unique opportunity to experience their renowned live performances.
If you’re heading to see Manic Street Preachers and Suede in Manchester, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know.
Manic Street Preachers and Suede UK tour dates
Wednesday 28 October – Glasgow OVO Hydro
Friday 30 October – Leeds First Direct Bank Arena
Saturday 31 October – Manchester Co-op Live
Tuesday 3 November – Cardiff Utilita Arena
Wednesday 4 November – Cardiff Utilita Arena
Friday 6 November – London The O2
Saturday 7 November – Birmingham Utilita Arena
Wednesday 11 November – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
Thursday 12 November – Bournemouth International Centre
Tickets for Manic Street Preachers and Suede in Manchester
If you’ve not yet snapped up tickets to see Manic Street Preachers and Suede, worry not – there are still some on sale even this close to the show.
Floor standing tickets are available for £70.90 each, or seat are priced at £70.90 or £87.95 each.
You can see the latest availability and grab tickets HERE.
Stage times for Manic Street Preachers and Suede
Suede and Manic Street Preachers are on a joint tour and coming to Manchester. Credit: Publicity picture
Co-op Live hasn’t yet confirmed stage times for the show, other than the general admission doors will open at 6pm.
The bands are actually taking it in turns as to who plays first and who closes out the show – but apparently for Manchester it will be Suede first, Manic Street Preachers second.
Setlist for Suede
Disintegrate
Dancing With the Europeans
Trash
Animal Nitrate
We Are the Pigs
Personality Disorder
The 2 of Us
My City
Filmstar
Antidepressants
June Rain
She Still Leads Me On
Trance State
The Wild Ones
So Young
Metal Mickey
Beautiful Ones
Setlist for Manic Street Preachers
Motorcycle Emptiness
Ocean Spray
Faster
Decline & Fall
You Stole the Sun From My Heart
Everything Must Go
Walk Me to the Bridge
No Surface All Feeling
Autumnsong
A Design for Life
From Despair to Where
The Everlasting
Slash ‘n’ Burn
Your Love Alone Is Not Enough
La tristesse durera (Scream to a Sigh)
Die in the Summertime
You Love Us
If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know 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 and until 1am 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.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are 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 on 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 on 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.
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For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Danny Jones -
30th July 2024 
