Oh, how the months roll over; we can’t believe it’s the end of May and we’re on to yet another list of amazing Manchester artistsfor you to get stuck into.
We’re sure you’re already on to most of them, you cultured lot, and even if not, that’s what we’re here for.
If you’ve not found yourself on this monthly series before, the concept is pretty simple: every few weeks we spotlight the most exciting Manchester bands and artists we’ve had on our radar recently.
Revolutionary, we know. But seriously, it’s as important as ever that we big up the names coming out of our region, so let’s not waste any more time, shall we?
It’s always good to see Manc bands drawing big crowds on the festival circuit and they certainly did that. These guys have been making a big name for themselves for a few years now and are even set to headline the Neighbourhood all-dayer in the city centre later this year, so it’s no surprise really.
We’ve been lucky enough to catch them live a few times now but if you’ve never heard their mix of pop-punk, alt-rock and often twinkly 80s-influenced indie before, we’d say start with ‘Television Romance’, work your way to ‘There’s a Honey’ and then ‘Jealousy’. That should give you a good broad-strokes idea.
Next up is another fast-rising homegrown talent in Corella, who finally dropped their debut album, Once Upon a Weekend, at the start of this month and we’ve been rinsing it ever since.
Infectious modern indie typified, we’ve been listening to these lads ever since ‘Barcelona Girl’ and they just keep getting better – as typified by them selling out the O2 Ritz on… oh, would you look at that? It’s tonight.
If you didn’t get a ticket for their landmark hometown show, you can also catch them at NBHD 2024 and as for what tracks you should listen to in preparation, the single from 2017 that we’ve already mentioned is where we started, ‘Drifting’ is in our rotation and simply nothing beats ‘Bloom’. A great running track.
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Still riding high on the wave from KOKO 🌊 This tour so far has been the best yet and London was something we’ve only ever dreamt of, but you guys made it possible.
A big genre change now and we’re going modern jazz. Make that spiritual jazz, to be specific, and it’s certainly how we feel when we listen to this bloke: in tune with our spirit.
The Manc trumpeter, composer and producer has a real knack for making music that you want to relax, create and cook to, as well as a whole host of other moods. We often find him playing whilst staring out the window with a brew or with our heads back on the sofa as we close our eyes and simply drift away.
As for your jumping-off points, ‘Calder Shapes’ crops up in our playlists most often but ‘Cherry Blossom’ is a lovely lo-fi option on a chilled Sunday afternoon, and his tune ‘Into Forever’ with his record label’s Gondwana Orchestra is another gentle but transportive favourite of ours. We could go on forever.
He’s not been at Manchester Jazz Festival this year but he’s one of our best in that genre.
4. Rosellas
In at number four, we’ve got Rosellas, who’ve steadily worked their way up through various club sets across the UK and North in particular, even playing City Square over at the Etihad Stadium, and are now starting to gain even more traction.
They can turn their hand to most stuff really, be it the all-important catchy hook, a decent indie bouncer or the equally communal feeling soft, acoustic-driven ballad, but there’s something very 90s/early 2000s and quintessentially Manc about their music.
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We’ll admit that we can’t quite place what it is beyond perhaps the guitar riffs themselves, but maybe you’ll have better luck than we have so far. Our trio of picks are ‘Slowdance’, ‘Switch Off’ and ‘Damaged’.
Great track.
5. MALCOLM
Last but not least, we’ve got a band so new to the Manchester music scene that they’ve only got two songs out for you to get stuck into but we’re going to be watching them closely indeed.
Don’t be fooled by the name, they’re a four-piece with hints of everything from Inhaler to Catfish and the Bottlemen, as well as pretty much every current indie band that’s doing anything good in modern indie rock, hence why we think they’re going to pick up momentum quickly.
The best part is, you can get on the bandwagon early by listening to ‘Subconscious’ and ‘C’est La Vie’. Plus, if there’s one thing we know about bands from around here it’s that they graft and we’re going to guess that you can expect another new tune soon enough.
Legendary funk and soul act Kool and the Gang are finally coming back to Manchester
Danny Jones
In case you hadn’t heard already, iconic funk, soul, and R’n’B artist Kool and the Gang are finally coming back to Manchester after far too long away from our musical city for a massive arena gig later this year.
Coming back to 0161 ‘For One Night Only’, the award-winning US supergroup and industry giants are set to make their first appearance here in over 15 years.
With a rich back catalogue and a career spanning six decades, not to mention multiple genres including funk, soul, disco, jazz (how they first began as an ensemble) and more, it’s only fitting they be given the top billing at the one and only AO Arena.
After Manc fans have had to wait for long, this is sure to be a night of ‘Summertime Madness’.
Though they need no real introduction if you know your music history, specifically African-American and Black music culture, Kool and the Gang are arguably one of the most influential acts to ever make it.
Having performed together longer than other R’n’B outfit on the planet, stood as one of the most sampled artists of all time and released a staggering 34 studio albums to date, they’re nothing short of foundational.
While, sadly, there is only founding member Robert ‘Kool’ Bell left from the original lineup formed back in 1964, the various iterations of the surviving live band have captured that same effortless cool, charisma, and effortless control of a crowd on the road that made the OG Gang such a toue de force.
As well as touring with everyone from Elton John and the Dave Matthews Band to The Roots and even a 50-city tour alongside equally legendary rock group, Van Halen, they have no shortage of accolades to their name.
How does two Grammys, seven American Music Awards (AMAs), a BET Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award; a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a place in the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; 25 Top Ten R&B hits, nine top ten hits in the pop charts, as well as 31 gold and platinum albums, strike you?
— Melodies & Masterpieces (@SVG__Collection) May 27, 2025
Best known for beloved tracks like ‘Celebration’, ‘Get Down On It’, ‘Cherish’ and ‘Jungle Boogie’, just to name a very small few (again, their discography is huge), you’ve most likely heard their songs or at least one of their serially sampled beats more times than its possible to count.
Yep, if there’s anyone that deserves the ‘icon’ moniker, it’s these lot.
Kool and the Gang come to the AO Arena in Manchester next month on Friday, 11 July and will have fellow British soul counterparts, The Real Thing, who looked to mirror their success throughout the ’70s, along for the ride.
General admission tickets are already on sale as we speak – you can grab yours HERE.
Every bit of live entertainment coming to Haydock Park Racecourse this summer | The Jockey Club Live 2025
Danny Jones
With festival season officially underway and a music-filled summer approaching faster than Stone Folca down the final furlong, we’ll take any chance to sing and dance under the sun we can get, so it’s a good job that what’s on at Haydock Park Racecourse this year is great and there’s plenty of it.
That’s right, The Jockey Club Live experience at Haydock Park is back for 2025, and there’s another incredible lineup of acts joining the punters over the next few months.
Having already seen the likes of Craig David, Busted and the Sugababes, as well as rather fittingly named local band, Red Rum Club, most recently, we’ve had some ruddy good times soaking up The Jockey Club festivities and libations, and this year is already off to a storming start.
You can catch a glimpse of our latest visit to the races down below for a taster. In short, it was a blast.
As you can see, not only are the spirits high and free-flowing (if you catch our drift) at Haydock Park, but there’s more than just racing and betting slips when it comes to what’s on there during the summer.
In addition to plenty of food and drink, every year as part of their Music Night programme, The Jockey Club well and truly puts the Live in ‘live entertainment’ with a whole host of big names.
For instance, here’s who is coming up at Haydock this summer…
What’s on at Haydock Park Racecourse this summer?
Tom Jones – Friday, 4 July
Perhaps the biggest name on the bill this year is the legendary Welsh soul singer and pop veteran SIR Tom Jones; that’s right, you could be in the presence of a real knight this July.
The 85-year-old who has enjoyed a career spanning more than six decades on stage clearly couldn’t get enough the first time around, as Mr ‘Sex Bomb’ himself is coming back to the racecourse for a full headline slot as part of his ‘Defy Explanation’ tour.
Speaking ahead of another visit, he said: “Performing live is the centre of my life and I’m really pleased to be returning to Haydock Park Racecourse to play to such a welcoming audience. The Jockey Club Live shows are exciting dates in my calendar – the fans really enjoy the day, so [they] are always sensational.”
‘I can’t wait to spend a Summer’s evening with everyone this July.’ (Credit: Raph_PH via Flickr)
Becky Hill – Friday, 8 August
A month later, you can catch a contemporary pop queen and fellow British chart favourite, as solo star Becky Hill will be heading to Haydock for a headline performance of her own.
The Bewdley-born singer-songwriter and regular dance track feature artist already has 22 top 40 songs to her name and is pushing even further into the electronic music scene of late, with one of her newest hits, Swim’, becoming another big hit.
Jockey Club said of her date: “We’re so excited to be welcoming Becky and her phenomenal live show to Haydock Park. Tickets start from just £40, continuing our reputation for providing value-for-money entertainment destination for the region and beyond.”
‘With thousands of tickets for Red Rum Club sold in the presale alone, we’re urging fans to secure their spot for next summer soon to avoid disappointment.’ (Credit: Press shot supplied via Chuff Media)
Next up: Jamie Webster – 21 June
But before both of these big British names is a local Merseyside legend, as indie guitarist and Liverpool-fan anthem specialist Jamie Webster will be heading down the road for what is sure to be a very popular night on home turf.
The ‘Weekend In Paradise’ and ‘This Place’ singer may have got his break performing to supporters around Anfield, but his music journey since then has been nothing short of remarkable – a real Northern, working-class success story in action.
Our Audio North team spoke to Webster ahead of his Haydock Park show on Saturday, 21 June and let’s just say we’re now more invested than ever in hearing Jamie play his third studio album, 10 For The People, for… well – you get it.
Better still, the party doesn’t stop once the summer is over, as The Jockey Club Live will be holding a number of other events throughout the rest of the year, not to mention all the usual horse-racing action at Haydock Park.
You can find out more information on the above and everything else on at the racecourse, as well as grab tickets to any of the dates that take your fancy right HERE.
Danny Jones -
31st May 2024 
