The second wave of the lineup Neighbourhood Festival for 2024 has just been revealed and the city centre celebration of live music is looking top-notch.
Neighbourhood Fest returns this October for another all-dayer packed full of local talent and rising stars from all over the UK and a whole host of new acts have been added to the 2024 lineup.
With the likes of high-flying Manchester artists Corella, Antony Szmierek, Seb Lowe and Chappaqua Wrestling already topping the bill alongside ever-growing indie outfit Red Rum Club and fellow Scouse stars The Mysterines and more, we were already spoilt for choice, to be honest.
However, the excitement is only continuing to ramp up with just a couple of months to go until the festival and a shed load of new additions filling out this year’s roster.
Announcing the second wave on Thursday, 15 August, Neighbourhood has now confirmed thatThe Royston Club lads, the hugely exciting Villanelle – fronted by Liam Gallagher’s son Gene – singer-songwriter Bellah Mae and another local band, The Guest List, will all be joining the 2024 lineup.
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And that really is just the tip of the iceberg.
Nearly 40 more acts have been tacked on to the already stellar lineup which will play across a total of 16 venues dotted around the city centre, such as the Manchester Academies, Albert Hall, Gorilla, O2 Ritz and other iconic gig venues.
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Other names rocking up to the festival this year include fast-rising singer-songwriter Liang Lawrence, who has become a viral sensation on TikTok; cult favourites of the Manc indie scene, M60 and Picture Parlour and promising solo artist Pixey, just to name a few.
Now running since 2016, Neighbourhood Festival and its Weekender parent event over in Warrington, have become two of the most popular music events in the North West in what feels like the blink of an eye, welcoming artists who have now gone on to become some of biggest names in the country.
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From Sam Fender, The Lathums and Yungblud; Mahalia, Declan McKenna, Holly Humberstone, The Lottery Winners and countless others, it isn’t just a proving ground for up-and-coming artists, it’s practically become a rite of passage.
Manchester’s biggest and best multi-venue festival returns on Saturday, 5 October and you won’t get many other events that last all day and run well into the night.
While early bird sold out quickly and tier two is also selling fast, you can still grab your tickets HERE.
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.
Review | Leon Thomas at Manchester Academy – ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ but this gig healed me
Thomas Melia
American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas visited Manchester Academy last night, performing hits from his deluxe album to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,600.
One year after an exclusive London MUTT Live date, Mr Thomas returns to the UK with the ‘MUTTS DON’T HEEL’ Tour, venturing to five cities, including the music capital of the North: Manchester.
The night started off just how it should’ve done with ‘HEEL’, as the audience were welcomed by the drum-loop and a chill atmosphere from the start.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Leon Thomas gig without at least one Ty Dolla $ign collaboration making the setlist, and there’s plenty to choose from with a new one dropping just over a month ago, ‘miss u 2’.
Leon Thomas performing hits at Manchester Academy (Credit: Audio North)
The funk-influenced musician opted for ‘FAR FETCHED’, and the audience was in the palm of his hand. No matter which of the four link-ups he chose, it was always going to go down well – Manchester never disappoints.
Leon didn’t even have to ask the crowd to bring more energy; they already matched him. When he sings, “For someone who don’t ask for favours, I’ve done way too many favours”, on ‘PARTY FAVORS’, he really meant it.
Last year, Leon Thomas dropped PHOLKS, a project which saw him exploring old-school funk and soul sounds even further and ‘Just How You Are’ had even the shyest dancer pulling out a little two step.
This isn’t the only hit that sent the crowd into a frenzy; ‘Baccarat’ and its impressive psychedelic guitar solo had jaws literally falling to the floor at Manchester Academy.
His songs might not be dramatic or extravagant, but they don’t need to be. Leon’s artistry prevails when he’s softly singing, and you’re still able to detect each instrument.
Leon Thomas brought the MUTTS DON’T HEEL Tour to Manchester Academy (Credit: The Manc)
‘Breaking Point’ is an easy-listening soul track that had all 2,600 Leon Thomas fans in our feelings as we realised we were coming to the end of a phenomenal concert.
And of course, ‘Mutt’ – his biggest single to date: a bouncy and swag-filled number that sticks in your head for weeks on end – sounded even better when backed by a live band as I discovered last night.
There was some insane musicality, distinct bangers and impeccable live arrangements that elevated the original studio recordings. Maybe ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’, but Leon Thomas definitely healed me.
He wasn’t the only cool cat playing last night either:
Danny Jones -
15th August 2024 
