One of the summer’s biggest and best-loved music events is now well underway, with a roster of massive names performing at Sounds of the City.
Next up at Castlefield Bowl will be Sheffield Britpop legends Pulp on 4 July, performing in Manchester for the first time in two decades.
Fronted by Jarvis Cocker, the band’s massive hits include Common People, Disco 2000, and Sorted for E’s & Wizz.
With seven albums and some massive award wins – including a Mercury Music Prize and multiple NME Awards – it’s going to be a massive night for Pulp at Castlefield Bowl.
Their summer reunion tour is titled This is What We Do For an Encore.
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The stage is set canal-side in Castlefield, with other headline performances from Hozier, Blossoms and Bastille still to come.
Here’s everything you can expect if you’re heading down to see Pulp.
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Who’s supporting Pulp?
Pulp will be supported by British musician Baxter Dury at their Castlefield Bowl gig.
He has six studio albums and has recently, notably, collaborated with Fred Again on the single Baxter (These Are My Friends).
After his slot supporting Pulp, Baxter Dury will be back in Manchester in October for a headline gig at New Century.
The stage times have already been announced for Pulp, but are always subject to change.
5.30pm – Doors and DJ 7.45pm – Baxter Dury 9pm – Pulp 11pm – Curfew
Tickets
Tickets for Pulp are, sadly, totally sold out.
They were initially priced at £75.35 including booking fee.
If you’re desperate to go, keep an eye on resale sites but make sure you’re buying from a trustworthy seller so you don’t get ripped off.
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Weather forecast
Castlefield Bowl is an outdoor venue, with only a very small amount of cover by the amphitheatre seating.
The wet weather is set to mostly take a break for Pulp’s gig on Tuesday 4 July.
Temperatures are set to peak at 19 degrees, with a low of 14 degrees, according to the Met Office.
There’s a 50% chance of light rain at 8pm, but otherwise things are looking dry.
Expected setlist
A previous Sounds of the City gig at Castlefield Bowl. Credit: FAC51 The Hacienda
Pulp have already squeezed in another huge outdoor gig, at Finsbury Park in London.
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The below is the setlist they went for down south.
I Spy Disco 2000 Mis-Shapes Something Changed Pink Glove Weeds Weeds II (The Origin of the Species) F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E. Sorted for E’s & Wizz This Is Hardcore Do You Remember the First Time? Babies Sunrise Like a Friend Underwear Common People Encore: Razzmatazz
About Castlefield Bowl
Castlefield Bowl is an amphitheatre-style outdoor venue in the city centre.
Although all tickets are billed as unreserved standing, if you’re quick you can take a seat on the large concrete steps that curve around the stage.
Many people also take a perch up on the grassy banks at the back of the venue too.
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Castlefield Bowl is located at 101 Liverpool Road in the city centre.
The closest tram stop is Deansgate-Castlefield, which is only a six-minute walk away.
You can also walk it from the major train stations, or use the 101, 197, 255, 256, 41, 50 or X50 buses.
Harry Styles’ One Night Only gig in Manchester will be the subject of a Netflix documentary
Daisy Jackson
A new Harry Styles special is coming to Netflix, it’s been announced today.
The star will be performing a ‘One Night Only’ special in Manchester this week, to celebrate the release of his new album.
Tickets for the (relatively) intimate gig at the Co-op Live were like gold dust – but even if you missed out, it looks like you’ll be able to get a slice of the action.
Netflix and Harry Styles have both today teased what appears to be a special documentary, set for release just two days after the show itself.
‘Harry Styles, One Night in Manchester’ will drop on the streaming platform at 7pm on Sunday 8 March.
The teaser trailer shows behind-the-scenes footage of the former One Direction star rehearsing in the studio.
He also jokingly makes the iconic ‘tudum’ Netflix sound straight into the mic before cracking a charming smile at the camera.
Harry Styles will be performing in Manchester on Friday 6 March, to mark the release of his new album Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally.
The album is also set for release the same day.
He performed the first single from the album, Aperture, at the BRIT Awards on Saturday night – but his One Night Only show will be fans’ first time to hear the rest of the album live.
Netflix posted: “Ready. Steady. Go.
“Harry Styles. One Night In Manchester. Premieres March 8 at 7pm GMT/12pm PT on Netflix.”
Oasis announce surprise exclusive song on new War Child album HELP(2) releasing this week
Emily Sergeant
Surprise… we’re getting a new Oasis song on Friday.
Well, not actually ‘new’ – but we had to get your attention somehow, and hopefully we succeeded. That’s because, if you didn’t already know, this Friday (6 March) is release day for the new HELP(2)album in aid of War Child, and even before this announcement, it was already gearing up to be one of the most anticipated projects of the year.
But now, it’s got even better, as War Child Records has today announced that Oasis will feature on the album with a very-special inclusion – a stand-alone 7” single.
Fans of the iconic Manchester band will be able to listen to the track enclosed within the gatefold of the vinyl edition and as a hidden track on the double CD version, as well as it also being available to stream from this Friday too.
The band have generously contributed an exclusive live version of the fan favourite song, ‘Acquiesce (Live from Wembley Stadium, 28 September ‘25)’, to the album.
This marks the first physical release of a live recording from Oasis’ record-breaking 2025 world tour, with the recording taken from the final night of their seven-show run at Wembley Stadium.
In case you don’t remember, Oasis actually previously featured on the original HELP album all the way back in 1995, opening the record with ‘Fade Away’, and Noel Gallagher also contributed as one third of The Smokin’ Mojo Filters, alongside Paul McCartney and Paul Weller, so this is actually the band’s return nearly three decades on.
Oasis’ return proves their enduring support for War Child’s mission to ‘protect, educate, and stand up for’ the rights of children affected by conflict.
HELP(2) is being released on Friday 6 March / Credit: Supplied
‘Acquiesce – Live’ follows other recent releases taken from the HELP(2) record, including ‘Begging For Change’ by Pulp, ‘Opening Night’ by Arctic Monkeys, ‘Flags’ by Damon Albarn, Grian Chatten & Kae Tempest, and ‘Let’s Do It Again!’ by The Last Dinner Party.
Other big-name artist set to feature on the album are Fontaines D.C, Olivia Rodrigo, Depeche Mode, Foals, Wet Leg, Ezra Collective, and countless more.
Daisy Jackson -
3rd July 2023 
