Yes, you heard us, Greater Manchester’s newest music festival, Outwards, is set to be an all-day, all-night celebration of all things electronic, charting the past, present and future of the scene.
The inaugural Outwards Fest isn’t just an event looking to score as many big names as possible; they’re looking to span as many generations of ravers, dance music die-hards, and selectors alike.
After all, our city is so steeped in this culture that it’s hard to escape, no matter what age you are.
Releasing their first couple of teaser trailers earlier this month, sign-up for early access is live now, and while the focus is more grassroots and upwards, there are some very familiar faces attached.
The new live event has been created by Oliver Ryder, stepson of Manc music icon Shaun Ryder.
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Yes, as in the Happy Mondays lead singer, who also happens to front for Black Grape, a.k.a. just one of the acts set to play as part of the festival.
Set to be based at The Progress Centre over in Ardwick and spread across five outdoor stages, 2026 will see Outwards Fest finally make its debut within the large open-air space after lots of planning.
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As mentioned, Ryder and his Grape cohort are one of the higher-profile names on the bill, but there are plenty of other eye-catching names – be they old, current, or up-and-coming – and you can expect plenty to roll through for a couple of them alone.
Besides fellow veterans and major headliners, Orbital, bringing their beloved brand of electronica, ambient-house, techno, trance and more to the table, another one we’re looking to is the legendary A Certain Ratio. Plus, there’s still a special guest yet to be revealed…
You can see the full lineup for the first-ever Outwards Festival down below.
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Look at this lineup!! We are made up to be part of this major Manchester happening event. Tickets on sale // Thursday 26th February at 6pmhttps://t.co/gOPPaOUG9X Outwards Festival pic.twitter.com/91v4aIQFMz
Speaking on this new addition for Manchester’s cultural scene, Outwards’ festival director Olli said in a press release: “Electronic music has always been about more than nightlife. It’s about the music, the communities, the places and the people who carry culture forward.
“Outwards is an attempt to create a space where the past, present and future of that [EDM] culture can exist together, here in Manchester, where so much of this story began – and where there is still so much to be written.
“We hope it becomes a moment of reflection, inspiration and connection that celebrates the full breadth of electronic music: open, inclusive and shaped by many voices, while opening the door to what is still to come.” Hear, hear.
You can join the mailing list to secure priority tickets when they go up HERE, with general admission set to be available from 10am on Thursday, 26 February.
Speaking of community-led festivals, another already established cult favourite that just keeps getting better and keeps supporting the local music industry from the ground up, returns for another exciting edition this summer.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures/Black Grape (supplied)
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Microdot exhibit for BRITs 2026: the artwork of Oasis, Verve and more up in Manchester Piccadilly
Danny Jones
If you’ve passed through Manchester Piccadilly of late, you might have noticed two things: one, it’s really quiet, and two, there’s loads of cool Britpop merch and memorabilia on display, including original Oasis, The Verve, Inspiral Carpets art and more – all courtesy of Microdot.
Set up as part of the city’s own BRITs celebrations, along with a raft of other nationwide festivities, as the annual music award ceremony prepares to make its Manc debut at the Co-op Live this month, the showcase features special edition frames and more, all pride of place in the middle of the train station.
This collection, simply entitled ‘A Microdot Design’, is all done by the legendary Brian Cannon, the graphic designer and art director behind so much recognisable visual material within the genre.
We recently had the honour of speaking to the man himself in person ahead of Piccadilly’s temporary closure; you can see our interview with him right here:
The Wigan-born artist and visionary didn’t just make promotional materials for some of the biggest bands in the 1990s; he’s responsible for what has gone on to become some of the most familiar iconography in British music history.
With this pop-up exhibit available for a limited time only, we strongly urge you to go along and, for once, take your time rather than rushing around the station as you peruse the boards placed right near the main entrance.
Charting his work from circa 1990 up until now, it’s crazy to see just how many of Brian and Microdot’s fingerprints are all over so many different bands and artists.
From native names like Oasis, The Verve and the Inspirals, as mentioned, as well as the likes of Cast, Super Furry Animals, Suede and Ash, plus so many more, this guy has been nothing short of prolific over the past few decades.
Audio North took a little tour of the King Street South unit last year in the lead-up to Oasis Live ’25 reunion world tour, and we felt like kids in a Britpop sweetshop.
While this site has sadly since closed, shutting up shop back in July, Brian’s mini, modest, but nevertheless magic Microdot Boutique up in the Lake District is still standing.
Located in the popular North West town and tourist attraction, Kendal, it’s worth a trip there to see more of his portfolio alone.
Currently on display at Manchester Piccadilly ahead of the full 2026 BRITs Week and shindig at Co-op Live, it’s one of the best completely free things you can do in town at the moment – but the exhibition finishes on Sunday, 1 March, so make sure you don’t miss it.
Speaking of the BRIT Awards, if you’re wondering what else is on as 0161 gets ready welcome them for their two-year stint (at least), look no further…
Beloved cartoon Avatar: The Last Airbender is coming to concert in Manchester for special anniversary
Danny Jones
Much-loved American cartoon and global smash-hit, Avatar: The Last Airbender, is coming to Manchester for a special screening live in concert.
The cult favourite Nickelodeon show turned worldwide phenomenon remains one of the most iconic animated TV franchises of all time, with a series of stunning scores that people still listen to on Spotify, YouTube and, crucially, in person to this day.
With that in mind, The Last Airbender In Concert is coming to mainland Europe and the UK, with the beautiful Bridgewater Hall set to host the special live show to celebrate a very important milestone.
You can see a short trailer of how the most recent world tour dates of Avatar Live here:
20 years since we first met Aang and the world of Avatar
With last February marking the 20th anniversary of the show’s original release date, creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, along with lead composer Jeremy Zuckerman, decided to take the show on the road with some exclusive screenings in some major rooms.
Having boxed off plenty of performances already, Avatar: The Last Airbender heads to Europe later this year, with the shows getting underway at the start of autumn.
And where else to begin but Manchester?
Heading to one of the most gorgeous theatres, not just in the city centre but the region as a whole, Bridgwater Hall is no stranger to hosting live orchestral adaptations like this.
You see the full list of Avatar live shows here in Britain on the extensive European leg of their world tour down below – we’ve even highlighted the other Northern stops for you.
The Last Airbender In Concert UK tour dates | 2026
5 October 2026 – Manchester Bridgewater Hall
6 October 2026 – Edinburgh Usher Hall
8 October 2026 – York Barbican
9 October 2026 – Sheffield City Hall
10 October 2026 – Birmingham Symphony Hall
11 October 2026 – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
13 October 2026 – Swansea Building Society Arena
14 October 2026 – Bath The Forum
15 October 2026 – Portsmouth Guildhall
16 October 2026 – Poole Lighthouse
17 October 2026 – London Eventim Apollo
18 October 2026 – Bristol Beacon
Credit: Press shots (supplied)
It’s hard to believe more than two decades have passed since it first hit screens over in the US in 2005 (21 February and later that same year here in the UK); we still remember sitting cross-legged in front of the telly after school and losing ourselves in this incredible world – and now a new film is on the way, too.
As well as the heavily anime-esque art style and East Asian influences throughout, the music was always a big part of that experience, so we can’t wait to see how it translates in the flesh.
With that in mind, not to mention the wider Avatar story being continued with the next expansion in Avatar lore, ‘Seven Havens’ – a direct sequel to the original programme – it’s a great time to dive back into the world.
Tickets to see and hear The Last Airbender soundtracked live and brought to life in all its glory here in Manchester, general admission on sale already, with the showing starting from 7:30pm.
And for those parents among you looking to introduce your little ones to the next big animation, we’d start with the new one that’s set right here in our hometown and has just aired.
Danny Jones -
20th February 2026 
