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Neighbourhood Festival’s return to the city centre is looking great with after revealing second wave

It will always be one of our favourites.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 19th June 2026

Neighbourhood Festival’s city centre all-dayer is returning to Manchester for 2026 after a year off, and with the second wave of the lineup having just dropped, it’s looking very promising.

Following teasers over the past month or so, it didn’t take long for us to figure out that NBHD Festival was coming back, especially with the Weekender in Warrington having taken a similar hiatus in 2024.

However, when festivals like these take time out, it can be easy to worry whether or not they’ll lose momentum or come back stronger.

Judging by this follow-up batch of acts alone, there’s no doubt NBHD Fest ’26 will be another cracker.

As you can see, as well as the fast-rising grungey alternative and garage rock quartet, KEO, being announced as one of the first big hitters on the list, there are some other familiar names on the lineup.

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Especially for us Mancs.

With both Bolton and Altrincham youngsters, Florentenes and The Guest List, both joining the roster, as well as the likes of Bury-born ‘rockabilly’ revivalist Elliot James Reay also featuring on there, there’s a good deal of local talent to be enjoyed as always.

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That goes for the regional delegation in general, too, with the likes of Jos River heading back up this way from her base in London, and Leeds’ fittingly named indie four-piece, The North, also booking a slot.

We’ll admit there are plenty of bands and artists coming up from the capital for the all-day festival, but at least they know where the UK’s real home of music is.

For instance, we’re buzzing to see the Red Rum Club boys returning to the NBHD stage once again – they never disappoint, and there are so many other guaranteed top performers on the bill. And that was just this year’s Weekener…

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It’s worth reminding, once again, that since its inception in 2016 (yes, it really has been a decade now), Neighbourhood Fest has continued to serve as a proper launchpad for the next wave of superstars, not just here in the North West but across the country.

We still remember seeing the likes of Sam Fender, Holly Humberstone, Declan McKenna, Mahalia, The Lathums and more – some for the very first time – on these city centre stages, and it’s crazy to see how big some of them have gone on to become.

Set to take over some of Manchester’s most iconic venues along the Oxford Road Corridor once again, this is, without a doubt, one of the best dates for independents on the annual live music calendar.

Hosting a total of 11 stages on Saturday, 17 October, for a full day of live music, tickets for this year’s Neighbourhood Festival are on sale now right HERE.

And if you’ve already sorted yours, why not read our review of NBHD Weekender ’26 down below to get you in the mood for the next two editions.

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Review | We need NBHD Weekender every year – and so does the North West
Such a great duo.

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Featured Images — Anthony Mooney Photography (supplied via SJM Concerts)

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Secret stages, surprise sets and non-stop sunshine – here’s what went down at Parklife 2026

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Parklife 2026 has officially wrapped up, and dare we say it might have been the best one yet?

Well, that’s it folks. One of the biggest weekends on Manchester’s musical calendar has been ticked off, and what a time we had.

The rolling hills of Heaton Park welcomed thousands of ravers who two-stepped from the moment the gates opened until the final vibrations echoed from the speakers.

So, while we nurse our sore feet and slap on the aftersun, let’s reflect on Parklife 2026 and catch you up on what you might have missed.

Images: The Manc Group

For once, the weather actually delivered.

Blue skies and glorious sunshine stuck around all weekend, giving festival-goers the perfect excuse to stay out from open to close and making Heaton Park look more like Ibiza than north Manchester. We’re exaggerating, of course, but you get the picture.

While headline sets from pop princess Zara Larsson and grime MC Skepta drew huge crowds, some of the biggest moments happened away from the main stages.

Images: The Manc Group

After all, when else can you watch Manc icon Bez DJing on a rooftop at a secret garden party? It truly was a sight to behold.

The festival introduced three brand-new secret stages this year, which we think were a fantastic addition. Our favourite was the Bossmans Tent – an exclusive stage hidden behind the facade of a corner shop, where festival-goers had to enter through a fridge to discover the music inside.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a festival without a few cheeky surprise sets thrown into the mix. Enter Aitch.

At this point, the Manchester rapper is basically a Parklife resident, popping up each year to surprise crowds with a song or two. This year, our hometown hero joined Bou on stage, sending fans into a complete and utter meltdown.

Images: The Manc Group

The city was also well represented through a number of stage takeovers across the weekend. Ghosts of Garage, the Manchester-born brand that has built a loyal following across the region, brought together a host of local DJs on Sunday for a takeover that felt like a celebration of the city’s thriving dance music scene.

One of the most anticipated additions for 2026, the new Panorama stage was a real standout. Featuring a belting 100m LED screen, huge dance platforms and behind-the-booth access, there wasn’t a quiet moment there all weekend – and it’s not hard to see why.

Sheffield DJ Silva Bumpa drew one of the busiest crowds of the weekend at Panorama, creating relentless energy from start to finish. Fans were packed shoulder-to-shoulder as one of the UK’s fastest-rising names delivered a set worthy of all the hype.

Parklife 2026, you’ve set the bar very high.

We’ll see you next year.

Read more: What people are wearing at Parklife 2026 – ruffles, cowboy boots, football shirts and bandanas

Featured image – The Manc

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Robyn at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, stage times, setlist and more

Lydia Mastrolonardo Lydia Mastrolonardo Robyn at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, stage times, setlist and more

Pop icon Robyn is heading to Manchester this week on her 2026 global arena tour, in support of her ninth studio album Sexistential.

This is Robyn’s first proper tour since 2019, and is set to host a star-studded lineup of special guests across her 20 planned gig dates. 

We have been blessed with one night of Robyn, at Co-op Live in Manchester, on Saturday 27 June. 

Over the past three decades, Robyn has continually contributed to popular culture and with her recent public appearances, fans have been reminiscing and eagerly awaiting this tour. 

Most recently, you may have noticed her slowly returning to music, joining the likes of Harry Styles, Charlie xcx and Gracie Abrams in live performances or soundtracking Acne Studio’s 2025 Paris fashion show. 

As if we couldn’t love her any more already – she is working with Plus1 to donate a portion of the funds raised from each ticket sold, directly to non-profits working to achieve reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, climate action, and humanitarian relief.

Gig guide | Robyn at Co-op Live, Manchester – all you need to know

Robyn UK and Ireland arena tour dates

  • Wed 24 Jun – 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
  • Fri 26 Jun – OVO Hydro, Glasgow, United Kingdom
  • Sat 27 Jun – Co-op Live, Manchester, United Kingdom
  • Fri 3 Jul – The O2, London, United Kingdom

Are there tickets left for Robyn at Co-op Live?

Yes and ‘U Should Know Better’ than leaving it much later to get your hands on them.

There’s still quite good availability for Robyn’s Manchester date – seated tickets are priced at £56.75, £68.20, £79.20 or £125.55 each, and £68.20 for standing.

Go on ‘Call Your Girlfriend’ and get it booked. Click HERE for tickets to Robyn on Saturday 27 June in Manchester.

Robyn performs in Manchester this week. Credit: Danica Robinson
Robyn performs in Manchester this week. Credit: Danica Robinson

Support act

Robyn is to be joined by her fellow Stockholmer Zhala, serving up some futuristic cosmic pop to add to the euphoric feel of the evening.

She’ll also have support from iconic electronic music group 808 State, returning to their home city of Manchester, as her special guests for the evening. 

Robyn setlist for 2026 tour

This is obviously subject to change but it is the most recent setlist Robyn has used on her tour so far:

  • Missing U
  • Call Your Girlfriend
  • Cobrastyle
  • Blow My Mind (Sexistential Version)
  • Ever Again
  • Dopamine
  • Honey
  • Be Mine! 
  • Between the Lines
  • Love Is Free
  • Don’t Fucking Tell Me What to Do
  • Sexistential
  • Talk to Me
  • Monument (Röyksopp & Robyn cover)
  • Life (Jamie xx cover)
  • Indestructible
  • Show Me Love 
  • Dancing on My Own 

Encore / Extended Tracks

Robyn has been known to throw in an extra song or two for us, including fan favourites such as: 

  • Sucker for Love
  • Hang With Me
  • With Every Heartbeat
  • Do It Again (Röyksopp & Robyn song) 

Stage times for Robyn at Co-op Live, Manchester

Co-op Live hasn’t confirmed exact stage times for Robyn yet, but we do know this:

  • Co-op Backstage Club doors – 5.30pm
  • Premium doors – 6pm
  • General Admission doors – 6.30pm
  • Start – 7pm
  • Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm

We’d guess Robyn will be on stage roughly around 9pm, based on previous shows.

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.

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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.

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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 Moss (Ashton line) – 183 spaces and 12 disabled spaces
  • 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.

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Featured image: Marili Andre

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