Manchester International Festival (MIF) has announced two initiatives to support the city’s music scene – which is still reeling from the devastating aftermath of COVID-19.
The first of the initiatives is MIF Sounds – which will pledge £10,000 to ten Manchester music creatives in producing new work.
Since lockdown, Manchester’s music scene has received very little governmental support. Creatives and musicians have been left without work and venues are in despair.
Two kingpins of the city, Gorilla and Deaf Institute, were even on the brink of total shutdown a few months back only to be saved by the skin of their teeth by Tokyo Industries. But the risk of closures elsewhere remains high.
Manchester artists Children of Zeus performing at MIF 2019
This financial support from MIF will provide some much-needed hope and encouragement to keep the city’s musical spirit alive. MIF organisers are open to ideas and want to hear from musicians, producers and creatives alike that have been hit by the pandemic and need help finding their feet.
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Jane Beese, Head of Music at MIF said: “MIF want to support the next generation of Manchester’s music industry who have been affected by the pandemic, to continue to create work.
“Maybe you need help to make or complete a recording project or you are a label promoting new releases or you are working in production and have a new piece of technology you want to advance.
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“Perhaps you are a promoter looking for support to present a socially distanced gig with a small audience with a live stream, or you just need some headspace and some time to make new music. We want to hear from you”
Festival in My House and Yours in action
The second initiative is funding for MIF’s online series Festival in My House and Yours: A programme launched during lockdown.
The idea brings together local people online to host digital micro-festivals in their own homes.
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It will offer six artists £1,800 to develop projects for the series.
Punam Ramchurn, Talent Development Manager at MIF said: “We’re really excited to offer these opportunities for creatives to develop and create work in these current times.
“From financial support, mentorship and learning new skills, we’re investing in artists across Greater Manchester, and passionate about building long lasting relationships as we head towards MIF21 and The Factory.”
Festival Square at MIF
MIF is one of the biggest dates in the city’s music calendar – bringing together people from all over Greater Manchester whilst introducing new art, music and theatre.
In the past, work displayed at the festival has gone on to reach worldwide audiences. Take a look back at previous festivals here.
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This is an amazing opportunity to play a part in maintaining Manchester’s world-renowned music heritage.
The deadline for proposals for MIF Sounds andFestival in My House and Yours is midday on Monday 5 October, and you must be a Greater Manchester resident to be eligible.
Good luck!
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Yungblud announces huge Manchester arena gig on upcoming UK tour
Yungblud is heading back to Manchester for a huge gig next year as part of a nationwide arena tour.
The Doncaster-born rock artist is behind songs like Fleabag, Cotton Candy, and Parents, with three studio albums to his name and a fourth set for release this month.
Yungblud, 27, has also collaborated with some of the biggest rock artists in the world, including Machine Gun Kelly, Travis Barker, and Bring Me The Horizon.
Along the way, he’s built up an incredibly loyal fanbase, who refer to themselves as the Black Hearts Club, and championed individuality and acceptance.
And now Yungblud is finally heading back out on tour, with a massive gig at the AO Arena next spring.
This boundary-pushing artist has announced the tour in support of his upcoming fourth album, Idols, which he describes as being a modern rock opera.
He’s famed for his explosive and energetic live shows, and has even launched his own festival, Bludfest, to challenge the high cost of other live music festivals.
Announcing the UK tour this morning, he said: “UK. It’s been two years! I’m so excited to announce our biggest shows yet.
“Pre-order the album from my official store before Tuesday 10am for early access to tickets/ presale on Wednesday 10am. General tickets onsale 10am FRIDAY 13th. Link in bio. Let’s go.”
As well as his AO Arena gig in Manchester, Yungblud will also play at cities including Leeds, London and Birmingham.
Yungblud will perform at the AO Arena Manchester on Saturday 25 April 2026. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 13 June.
An extra date has been added for Drake’s run of Manchester shows next month following ‘unprecedented demand’.
In case you missed the announcement earlier this week, Drake announced that he’ll be coming to Manchester for two huge gigs next month (yes, literally next month), but now following so-called ‘unprecedented demand’, an extra date has been added.
The GRAMMY award-winning and multi-platinum global artist teamed up with fellow Canadian rapper PARTYNEXTDOOR to release their collaborative album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, on Valentine’s Day earlier this year, and now to celebrate the release, the duo are making their highly anticipated return to the UK and Europe.
The arena tour, aptly named ‘$ome$pecial $hows 4 UK’, will kick off on 20 and 21 July at Birmingham Utilita Arena, before Drake comes to visit us Mancs shortly after.
JUST ANNOUNCED @drake Drake returns for the first time in six years. Bringing the $ome$pecial$hows 4 UK tour to Manchester on 25 & 26 July 2025. Support from @partynextdoor.@coopuk Member Presale: 4 JUNE 12:00 General Sale: 6 JUNE 12:00
The Toronto rapper was already set to take to the stage at Manchester‘s newest live entertainment arena, Co-op Live, on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July, following three nights of headlining Wireless Festival at London’s Finsbury Park.
But now, Monday 28 July has also been added into the mix in Manchester.
Following his three nights in Manchester, the tour will then continue across Europe, with stops in Munich, Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and more, all before wrapping up on 23 September in Hamburg at Barclays Arena.
The tour marks Drake’s first return to Europe and the UK in six years, following his 2019 Assassination Vacation Tour.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, Drake completed his monumental sold-out 80-date It’s All A Blur Tour across North America, featuring special guests 21 Savage and J. Cole.
$ome $pecial $hows 4 UK 2025 dates:
Sunday 20 & Monday 21 July – Utilita Arena, Birmingham
Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July – Co-op Live, Manchester
Monday 28 July – Co-op Live, Manchester
Breaking more records along the way, Wireless announced Drake as the 2025 headliner for all three nights, each featuring unique setlists and special guests, and the festival sold out within minutes – which is the fastest sell-out in its 20-year history.
Drake will be at Co-op Live on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July, and again on Monday 28 July, and in true last-minute fashion, tickets go on general on sale today (6 June).
Hannah Starkie -
9th September 2020 
