MIF has revealed its festival square music programme for summer – and it’s jam-packed with local artists.
This year’s festival runs from July 2-18 and sees over 100 free gigs taking place at the new Festival Square hub on Cathedral Garden – which returns in a safe, seated format for 2021.
MIF has also partnered with United We Stream this year to broadcast a selection of its live Festival Square performances directly into people’s homes.
Our highlights include performances from rappers Abnormal Sleepz and LayFullStop, Children of Zeus’s Konny Kon, soul singer Pip Millett and The Untold Orchestra, plus Homoelectric, Katbrownsugar, Lovescene, Matthew Halsall, SheBeKeke, Swing Ting and OneDa – but there are so many amazing artists set to perform here over the course of the fortnight.
This year’s Manchester International Festival runs from July 2-18
Underground Manchester music champions Reform Radio and Thirty Pound Gentlemen will present some of the finest young emerging talent, arranging nine performances ranging from afrobeat to French electro at The Festival Square over three days.
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Dave Haslam will also present three specially-curated nights of Manchester talent, starting with a showcase of local record label Griot City Records (July 4). His Griot City Experience will feature performers like DJ Werkha, and poets SheBeKeke and Reece Willams, followed by further showcases with artists like Lounge Society, Blanketman and DJ Mark Rae.
And in a unique piece exploring the experiences of black women within the creative industries and society at large, The Untold Orchestra join up with singer Yemi Bolatiwa, original Hacienda resident DJ Paulette, poet Shirley May, dancer Maisha Kungu and contemporary circus performer Seren Marimba to present a tribute to Nina Simone’s Four Women.
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Grove will be bringing their black, queer and feminist sounds to Manchester as part of a curated lineup by DJ and broadcaster Jamz Supernova.
And of course Manchester’s infamous LGBTQ+ club night Homoelectric will be bringing the party – albeit for one night only – with DJ sets from residents like Will Tramp and Gina Breeze, plus performances from vogue house House of Ghetto.
100 free gigs taking place at the new Festival Square hub for MIF 2021
Also curating at MIF’s Festival Square this year isthe legendary Manchester DJ and producer Mr Scruff, who’s bringing the likes of Rebecca Vasmant and Secret Night Gang down on July 16. He’ll end the night with a special B2B DJ set withhip hop pioneerMikey D.O.N.
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BBC Music Introducing has also selected four of Manchester’s rising stars to play across four nights: singer, songwriter and producer Caoilfhionn Rose (July 8), electro dance music quartet Porij (July 10), singer-songwriter Ellysse Mason(July 11) and R&B artistFemi Tahiru(July 15).
And Manchester record label Swing Ting host a takeover with MCs, DJs, and live performances from residents and special guests playing everything from afrobeat and bashment to dancehall, including Tai Chi Rose, Tarsza and label founder Samrai.
Dave HaslamPip Millett
Fabaret will return on July 17, curated by Greg Thorpe, with a celebratory showcase of Manchester-based LGBTQ+ artists including drag legend Cheddar Gorgeous and dancer and choreographer Jason Andrew Guest.
Manchester’s legendary spoken word night One Mic Stand also returns for another year with ten spoken word artists including Ella Otomewo, Billie Meredith, Isaiah Hull, and Jardel Rodrigues.
Residents from Greater Manchester will take over Festival Square for Our City Our Festival on July 3 – a free day-long event of music, conversations, performances and participatory activities, celebrating the diversity and talent within Greater Manchester communities.
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Last but not least, in an epic Festival Square finale, grime club night turned creative agency Big People Music will present a big show with Manchester singer Misha B and rapper Abnormal Sleepz performing alongside the new BPM Orchestra.
Norman Jay
The night will close with a handful of special guest DJ sets from some of the city’s best selectors.
Manchester International Festival (MIF) will take place across indoor and outdoor locations in Greater Manchester from July 1-18. It features a vibrant programme of original new work from across the spectrum of visual and performing arts and music by artists from over 20 countries.
Further DJ sets include DJ Paulette (July 2), Konny Kon (July 4), Kat Brown Sugar (July 6), Jane Weaver (July 7), Matthew Halsall (July 8), Kath McDermott (July 17) and High Hoops (July 17).
Beyond The Music moves to MediaCity for the first-time ever
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester arts festival and conference Beyond The Music is back for 2026, but this time it will be heading to MediaCity for a Salford debut.
The long weekender is still a relative newcomer when it comes to the Manc events calendar, but it’s quickly gathered plenty of repute not just in the North West but within the industry as a whole.
Holding just its third edition later this year, Beyond The Music ’26 is set to be the most ambitious yet, spread across the three days and promising an impressive lineup both in terms of live performers, but also speakers, industry experts and wider activities.
With MediaCity and dock10 hosting their inaugural Beyond The Music, it’s another big win for the second city, with Sports Personality of the Year sticking over Salford way for the foreseeable future, along with other events like the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Awards moving to the Quayside.
Much of the BBC’s World Cup coverage is also being hosted at their Salfordian studios and main Northern base this summer, too.
Given that so many big annual dates have now made the switch to central Manchester – the BRITs and the MOBOs, just to name two recent examples – you could say it only makes sense to spread things out across the surrounding boroughs and their equally rich heritage.
Not that you should need reminding, but Salford isn’t just part of the region: it’s a city all of its own right that boasts an immense amount of pride over what is nothing short of a sterling musical history.
As for the 2026 Beyond The Music programme, besides both the local artists and more international creatives than ever, there’ll be keynote conversations, industry showcases, and wider networking opportunities for anyone looking to immerse themselves deeper in this world.
You’ll have to wait a little while longer for a full live music lineup, but watch this space…
Mayor Andy Burnham and friends help launch Beyond the Music at MediaCityUK (Credit: Mark Waugh)
Sarah Pearson, Co-founder of Beyond The Music, said in an official statement: “Beyond The Music’s mission is to seize this moment, to come together and drive meaningful and lasting change in the music and content industry.
“It’s undeniable that the impact and importance of music and content are stronger than ever, but this is not reflected in their perceived value.
“The ethical and economic infrastructure of the music and content industries demands urgent attention and bold reform… It is our responsibility to protect creativity in order to ensure it doesn’t just survive but thrives. Things may feel difficult, but they are still possible.”
Mayor Burnham added: “Greater Manchester has always been at the forefront of cultural innovation, and Beyond The Music is a vital opportunity for the sector to come together and address the challenges and opportunities facing music and content creation…
“With its move to MediaCity and a bigger-than-ever programme, Beyond The Music is helping to cement our city region’s place at the centre of the creative economy.”
Taking place between 7-9 October 2026, you can register for early bird tickets right HERE. Roll on an even more extensive festival season than ever.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall Manchester – groovy, hazy and effortlessly cool
Clementine Hall
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall proved exactly why they’ve built such a cult following over the past decade.
Formed in 2010 by frontman Ruban Nielson, the band first broke through with their scrappy, lo-fi self-titled debut and since then, they’ve become known for their signature blend of psychedelic rock, funk, and warped pop.
I first saw the band back in 2023 at Glastonbury, and yes sorry I am one of those annoying people that bring it up all the time.
They’re the perfect band to close your eyes, sway your head and tap your foot to – and that’s exactly what the crowd were doing in unison last night at the Albert Hall.
Image: The Manc Group
From the second they stepped on stage, there was no rush – just that signature hazy groove met with enough stage lights to sink a ship.
You could barely see them on stage, but that made it even cooler. And you can only imagine how gorgeous the Albert Hall looked with hundreds of spotlights in different colours whizzing all over it.
Early tracks simmered and pulled us in before the band stretched out into crowd pleasers like ‘Multi-Love’ and ‘Hunnybee’. What an absolute tune by the way.
Image: The Manc Group
There wasn’t much crowd interaction but, again, there didn’t need to be. They let the music do the talking and by treating us to some of the most epic guitar solos we’ve ever heard (no, seriously), we’ll forgive them for not talking to us.
Each song melted into each other as the band oozed effortless charm and talent throughout the almost two hour set, which is no mean feat.
Of course, a sea of phones shot up for ‘So Good at Being in Trouble‘, their most popular track which prompted a harmonious audience singalong. Not very harmonious by me, admittedly.
It was a fantastic ending that left the audience feeling united by the laidback brilliance of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and I hope they don’t leave it too long to come back this time.
Georgina Pellant -
17th June 2021 
