The history of Manchester’s globally-renowned music scene is now being celebrated through the launch of a unique new app.
Manchester Music Mooch is an app that takes you on an immersive journey of the city’s iconic musical heritage locations, all while giving emerging artists a platform to shine.
Made possible through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, and by using the power of Augmented Reality (AR), the app takes music lovers on an interactive trail across five grassroots music destinations.
The app was created by MediaCity-based Dig Media and award-winning app developers, ArcadeXR, ahead of an expected 1.3 million music tourists arriving in Manchester this summer.
It was developed in collaboration with Manchester Digital Music Archive, Salford University, Toasted Productions, and the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), as well as with support by Visit Manchester and ABID.
Some of the famous grassroots music sites featured on the toor included like Tony Wilson Place, Band on the Wall, Fat City Records, and the Roadhouse.
Influential music spots in the Oxford Road Corridor like Manchester Academy, Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), and the former BBC building, can also be explored on the tour, as well as influential clubs in the Gay Village.
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Loads of well-known and upcoming musical names will be providing the narrative for the tour along the way, such as DJ Paulette, Rowetta, Luke Una, and even Middleton-born singer songwriter JP Cooper.
A new app has launched and it’s taking music fans on an immersive AR tour around Manchester / Credit: Supplied
The app’s launch comes as the city celebrates a sensational summer of live music, with a whole series of music-themed activities taking place across the city as part of Manchester City Council’s MCR Live ’25 campaign – including Wild In Art’s Music for the Senses art trail.
“Manchester’s music history is globally renowned, but the city often struggles to convey its story cohesively,” commented Simon Marsland, who is the founder of app creators, Dig Media.
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“With Dig Media’s expertise in media production, archiving and technology, alongside extensive local and international music networks, we’re spearheading a resilient way of sharing Manchester’s musical legacy never done before.”
Johnny Depp supergroup Hollywood Vampires have announced an arena gig in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Hollywood Vampires are heading back out on tour, with a huge Manchester gig announced for this year.
The supergroup, which consists of one of the biggest names in Hollywood as well as one of rock’n’roll’s most iconic names, are set to perform at the AO Arena as part of a run of shows.
Hollywood Vampires is made up of A-lister Johnny Depp, as well as rock royalty including Alice Cooper, and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, plus Tommy Henriksen.
They last performed in Manchester with an arena gig back in 2023, making these their first gigs in almost three years.
Hollywood Vampires have now announced a return to the stage, with an AO Arena show on the cards for Tuesday 18 August 2026.
They’ll be supported in Manchester by The Jesus and Mary Chain, who marked their 40th anniversary in 2024 with a new album, Glasgow Eyes.
Johnny Depp supergroup Hollywood Vampires announce Manchester gig. Credit: Aaron Perry
Hollywood Vampires formed in 2012, named after Cooper’s celebrity drinking club of the same name where the aim was reportedly to ‘drink until no one could stand up’.
Over the years, the supergroup has worked with the likes of Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, and Zak Starkey (formerly the drummer for Oasis).
They’ve now announced a massive UK tour , including a date at the AO Arena.
A Three Presale for tickets will take place from 10am on Wednesday 21 January, followed by a venue presale on Thursday 22 January, then general sale from 10am on Friday 23 January.
Harry Styles has FINALLY come out of hibernation, with fourth album announced
Daisy Jackson
Harry Styles has FINALLY announced details of his long-awaited (like seriously, LONG-AWAITED) fourth studio album.
The pop megastar has confirmed that his next record will be called ‘Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.’
Fans have been begging for HS4 for years, after Harry Styles set the world alight with his Love On Tour tour way back in 2022, which included two nights at the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester.
It’s become something of a running joke among his fans – nicknamed ‘Harries’ – that he’s disappeared from the industry so thoroughly, instead taking on side quests including marathons, shaving his head, and watching the new Pope be announced.
Excitement over the Cheshire-born musician’s comeback has been ramping up this week after mysterious ‘We Belong Together’ posters began appearing in cities across the globe.
And now, the Grammy Award-winning star is officially back.
Details on the new album are so far sparse, but there are a few things we can tell you.
Harry Styles will release his fourth album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally in March
One – it’ll be called Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.
Two – it will have 12 tracks.
Three – it’s been executive produced by Kid Harpoon, a Grammy-award winner and long-time collaborator of Harry’s, who also worked on his last album, Harry’s House.
Four – it’s set for release on 6 March 2026, and you can pre-order it HERE.
The next question will be those hotly-anticipated tour dates, with rumours swirling of residencies at Madison Square Gardens and Wembley Stadium.
Pre-ordering the album may get you in with a shot at accessing pre-sale tickets if and when he does tour.
And if Harry Styles skips Manchester on his stadium tour… *shakes fist*
Emily Sergeant -
15th July 2025 
