Moovin Festival has released its line-up for its 2023 festival, back in the fields of Whitebottom Farm.
The boutique festival is set to take over the beautiful countryside in Etherow Country Park once again this August bank holiday weekend, with a line-up of returning favourites and some hotly-tipped newcomers.
Widely considered one of the region’s best music events, Moovin has gone from being ‘Manchester’s best kept secret’ to a staple in the calendar every year.
This year’s line-up includes headline performances from Laurent Garnier, house music mainstay Toddy Terry, plus local legend Mr Scruff.
The bill also includes Mungo’s HiFi feat Eva Lazarus, David Holmes, Massive Attack’s Daddy G performing a DJ set, Craig Charles, plus hip hop royalty Big Daddy Kane, Goldie live with his orchestra, Sister Nancy, Chali 2Una from Jurassic5, Children of Zeus, Gilles Peterson, Stanton Warriors, Plump DJs, Jaguar Skills, Krafty Kuts, Freestylers, DJ Paulette, Graeme Park and many more.
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Moovin Festival is famed for its bespoke and friendly atmosphere, and for its stunning setting in the Stockport countryside, just a stone’s throw from both Manchester and Sheffield.
The site is transformed into an ‘adult playground’ with world-class sound systems across several stages, including the Barn Stage – a large open-sided cow shed where festival-goers can relax on actual bales of hay.
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Moovin Festival 2023. Credit: SuppliedMoovin Festival 2023. Credit: Supplied
Moovin also brings an ethically-sourced food and cocktail offering to the site, plus yoga classes, live performers including magic and circus, and plenty more surprises along the way.
This will be the first year that techno pioneer Laurent Garnier plays the festival, with an extended set that will celebrate his 30-year career DJing at major clubs and festivals across the globe.
There’ll be a strong drum and bass presence too, with Metalheadz founder and scene pioneer Goldie playing a special show with a full live orchestra.
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The Moovin Festival line-up. Credit: Supplied
Moovin said on announcing its line-up: “One of the best mic men in the game in Manchester’s DRS will also be on stage to drop his deeply profound bars with a full band in support. He has been on records with all the greats such as Calibre, Marcus Intalex, Lynx, LTJ Bukem, Icicle and LSB so do not miss.
“Hip hop legend Big Daddy Kane is one of the most requested and talked about acts to perform on the Barn Stage so makes a welcome return to do it all again this year. Other hip hop royalty to play include Chali 2Una from the iconic US outfit Jurassic5, plus local heroes and new school innovators Children of Zeus.
“Funk fans will be glad to hear that 6 Music tastemaker Craig Charles is back again this year, while anything goes when Mr Scruff digs deep into his vast collection. Expect on point world music, jazz and broken beat from the one and only Gilles Peterson, while Massive Attack’s Daddy G also drops plenty of beat-based knowledge and the hugely influential New Yorker Todd Terry serves up one of his house masterclasses.
“Then there is the unequalled David Holmes who is famed for his left of centre mix of trip hop, big beat, electronic and rock, plus breakout Manchester star Anthony Szmierek who is a firm 6 Music favourite and introspective poet /hip-hop talent is certainly a name to watch out for plus the turn of Mungo’s HiFi with Eva Lazarus and the one and only Jamaican dancehall DJ and singer Sister Nancy.
“Breaks are well represented by pioneers Stanton Warriors, Plump DJs, Jaguar Skills, Krafty Kuts and Freestylers, and old school house comes from Hacienda Graeme Park while DJ Paulette, who also played the famous club and recently got a lifetime achievement award from DJ Mag, also lines-ups for an irresistible day of music.”
It’s another big win for dance and electronic fans in Manchester as the beloved Barry Can’t Swim has been announced as part of the WHP25 programme, revealing a massive headline show.
The Edinburgh-born beat-maker, producer and solo artist has played Manchester before, he’s even played The Warehouse Project before, but nothing quite like this.
Confirming not just his own twin performance, with a full live show and an accompanying DJ set, but nothing short of an incredible lineup of support acts, this event could very well be the best night of the 2025 WHP calendar already.
Not only is ‘Everything Is Going To Be Alright’, it’s going to be bloody brilliant.
21.11 /// BARRY CAN’T SWIM – LINE UP REVEALED TOMORROW 10AM
The full line up for Barry Can't Swim's return to The Warehouse Project will be revealed tomorrow 10AM. Registration for presale access is available – https://t.co/z6yGfAvXSN
Undoubtedly one of Scotland’s biggest music exports in recent years, Barry Can’t Swim – real name, Joshua Spence Mainnie – was one of several acts who absolutely smashed Warehouse Project last year.
Having been shortlisted for the recent Mercury Prize, earned a nomination for Best Dance Act at the 2024 BRITs, being named DJ Mag’s ‘Breakthrough Producer’ award and winning ‘Best Dance Album’ for his most recent record, When Will We Land?, it’s been a great 18 months or so for him.
As it happens, his debut LP was one of our most played on Spotify and favourite albums of the year, full stop, so we were delighted when we got to see his curated show at Depot Mayfield back in November.
Now he’s set to come back to one of Manchester city centre’s leading nightlife venues for one of his biggest and most ambitious sets.
To be honest, with the other names already confirmed as joining him, this is essentially shaping up to be an ultimate club event for us.
That’s right, as well as Barry Can’t Swim‘s own impressive credentials, there is plenty more pedigree on show as part of the second curated evening, with the likes of Chloé Caillet, Prospa, firm favourites Jayda G and DJ Seinfeld, as well as Ross From Friends presents Bubble Love.
Better still, there’ll also be a special ‘b3b’ set (how many times have you seen that?) featuring Etiénne de Crécy, Cassius and DJ Falcon.
Set to land at WHP Manchester on 21 November, Barry Can’t Swim general admission goes live at 10am this Friday, however, pre-sale is available via the venue and for anyone who pre-orders his sophomore studio album, Loner, set to release on 11 July.
Manchester Day is making a grand return for 2025 this summer, and you can expect a day filled with loads of music-themed fun.
Oh, and it’s free fun at that… doesn’t get much better.
With a whopping 1.3 million music tourists expected in Manchester this summer – apparently a little band called Oasis is performing or something? First we’ve heard of it – and a massive lineup of live music legends set to take over venues and parks across the city these next couple of months, this year’s Manchester Day is aiming to get everyone ‘in the groove’.
Manchester City Council is working with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank on a programme that promises something for music fans of all ages and all musical abilities.
From the English National Opera teaming up with Manchester’s football fans, to community choirs, West End show tunes, juggling drummers, hip-hop wrestling, and loads more, this year’s Manchester Day has got all musical tastes covered.
Manchester Day is back on Saturday 26 July. 🎉
Inspired by music, expect pop-up performances, spontaneous sing-a-longs and have-a-go activities. 🎶
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) June 2, 2025
As always, activities will be taking place right across the city centre – from St Ann’s Square to Cathedral Gardens, and everywhere in between.
Organisers say there will be plenty of chances throughout the day for visitors, both young and old, to get stuck in, try their hand at making music and maybe even uncover a hidden musical talent they didn’t know they had.
You can expect strum-along ukulele sessions, spontaneous sing-alongs, dancing to a steel pan band or some surprising Ska, and the stand-out music parade event travelling from St Peter’s Square to the Cathedral, with families invited to take a ‘musical meander’ through the city streets.
Manchester Day is back with a ‘mammoth day’ of music-themed free fun next month / Credit: Manchester City Council
“We’ve got a mammoth summer of live music coming up in the city this year, which means it’s only right that we max out on the music for Manchester Day,” commented Councillor Pat Karney, who is the Chair of Manchester Day, as this year’s theme was announced.
“Everyone in Manchester loves music, Mancs have music in their bones, there’s so much talent here – we’re either making it or playing it, and that’s why everyone’s on the guest list for this year’s Manchester Day to help us celebrate the music that Mancunians make best.
“We’ve got a fantastic day lined up, so loosen up those vocal chords, grab a guitar, grab your granny, all the family, and don’t miss it.”
Daisy Jackson -
22nd February 2023 
