A concert hall in the city centre has announced a series of ‘rush hour’ gigs – each one costing just £5.
The cheap gigs have been created so that Mancs have an alternative to sitting in traffic, or getting a bit too cosy on packed trams and trains around Greater Manchester.
And as they’re all taking place at The Stoller Hall, they’re handily right across the road from Manchester Victoria train station.
As well as giving us all a break from the commute, the gigs will support up-and-coming musicians, showcasing some of the brightest new talent in the country.
Every concert will cost just £5 (no, really) and last just one hour, with 6pm start times. You’ve got very little to lose.
You can even pre-order a drink to collect and enjoy inside the concert hall.
The Stoller Hall hopes it will help us all avoid rush-hour and relax with an hour of live music instead.
It’s been announced as part of The Stoller Hall’s Emerging Artists Scheme, supported by The Haworth Trust, which sees musicians in the early stages of their career given a platform at a world-class music venue.
Fran Healey, creative commercial director for The Stoller Hall, said: “We are passionate about nurturing new talent and giving a platform to musicians in the early stages of their career.
“Our new programme of ‘rush hour performances’ is a double whammy – you can support these exceptional young people and avoid busy travel times.
“We’re very grateful for the generous support of The Haworth Trust who have made this new programme possible.”
The Stoller Hall’s rush hour gigs are taking place between September 2023 and March 2024, and tickets are available now.
The Stoller Hall’s cheap ‘rush hour’ gigs series in Manchester
13 September, 6pm – Phoebe Raynor
Mezzo-soprano Phoebe Rayner has a passion for contemporary vocal repertoire, premiering works by Professor Rachel Beckles Willson, Philip Grange, Cee Haines, and various student composers.
6 November, 6pm – Ensemble Raynard
Ensemble Renard are a wind quintet who are passionate about bringing a huge range of music to audiences of a variety of different backgrounds. Ensemble Renard is Ellie Blamiers (flute), Francesca Cox (oboe), Patrick Bolton (bassoon), George Strivens (horn) and Holly Isherwood (clarinet).
18 January, 6pm – Asaka Quartet
The Asaka Quartet is Ioan McDonald, Eriol Guo Yu, Susie Xin He and Jonathan Ho Man Fong. Through presenting creative and innovative programmes, they invite their audiences to discover new repertoire from a fresh and exciting perspective.
6 Feburary, 6pm – Smorgaschord Collective
Smorgaschord Collective is a group of ambitious musicians aiming to cut away from ‘normal’ formalities of musical experiences, who come together to collaborate and create, with a strong emphasis on the new and the unusual.
13 March, 6pm – Helena Ricci
Forging her own path as a visionary classical musician, Helena Ricci is a trailblazing harpist praised for her expressive, dynamic playing and captivating stage presence. She is currently working on her debut album.
Featured image: The Stoller Hall
Audio
Olivia Dean has announced a special intimate show in Manchester
Danny Jones
Soulful singing sensation Olivia Dean has set the UK music scene alight by announcing a number of intimate shows up and down the nation, including one right here in Manchester.
The fast-rising solo artist, who blends everything from pop and jazz to neo-soul as well as R’n’B, is one of the best and up-and-coming artists in Britain right now, with her highly anticipated sophomore album, The Art of Loving, set to release at the start of autumn.
As well as releasing her smash hit new single ‘Nice To Each Other’, the 26-year-old recently delighted even more music fans by joining Sam Fender on stage in London for a live twist on his track ‘Rein Me In’, which was instantly adored by millions and has now been shared as an official studio version.
Safe to say she’s flying high right now, and the second LP isn’t even out yet, which makes this small handful of gigs even more special and tickets super sought-after.
Revealing just seven pared-back shows across the country, Olivia said on her socials: “The art of loving in person! We’re doing some intimate shows, playing some songs acoustically and talking about making the album”, which is due to release on Friday, 26 September.
Partnering up with music shop chain and independent artist champions Rough Trade for the event, she’s set to play the just over 500-capacity gem that is Manchester’s Gorilla.
Other gigs up north include Liverpool at The Jacaranda and over at The Wardrobe in Leeds, where beloved local legends Crash Records will be helping host the show.
With the debut single already out, along with an already viral music video and accompanying dance alongside it, there’s plenty of excitement surrounding this project.
We’d pay virtually anything to see Olivia Dean and a group of backing singers do this at an intimate gig in Manchester.
We think we speak for pretty much everyone when we say that not only are we excited to hear The Art of Loving once it’s out, but hearing it live and in this special acoustic format is sure to go down as one of those ‘I was there moments.’
Playing smaller acoustic album launch shows is nothing new, but they are sometimes the only chance fans will get to hear their favourite musicians play their songs in such a way, so Olivia Dean die-hards are understandably going to be scrambling for these tickets.
Once again, her second album is available to pre-order now, and tickets for her show on Friday, 19 September, will go live tomorrow (Wednesday, 5 June) at 10am.
You can get ready to grab yours HERE, and for now, why not read our review of the last time she came to Manchester for what was a truly magical headline slot?
Rising Manc star Lusaint and more to serenade cricket crowds at The Hundred 2025
Danny Jones
The Hundred crowds inside Emirates Old Trafford are in for a real treat as rising Manchester star, Lusaint, is set to join the lineup of live music acts playing the 2025 tournament.
We’re so excited about this up-and-coming local singer and the rest of the live music lineup on show at this year’s competition.
Ahead of the fast-paced, family-friendly format returning to Emirates Old Trafford this August, the bands and musicians offering yet more entertainment on matchdays have now been announced, along with details of more activities for all ages.
The Hundred Final at Lord’s in London will be headlined by solo singer, Perrie (a.k.a. Perrie Edwards, formerly of Little Mix), and the Manchester games are boasting some great names too.
In addition to Perrie, other big names signed up for 2025 are the likes of York four-piece Glass Caves, Bristol experimental live-looper, Bexx, as well as the best of soul and R’n’B in Brighton, Iyamah.
But we can’t lie, naturally, it’s all about whose playing The Hundred fixtures at Old Trafford that we’re most fussed about.
Following past years where the competition has seen the likes of Zara Larsson, Rudimental, Bastille and Jax Jones; Raye, Becky Hill, Everything Everything and Self Esteem, they’ve managed to pique our interest yet again.
Really channelling the platforming power of the BBC Introducing partnered stages for the latest edition, Lusaint was the first name to catch our attention for obvious reasons.
She featured on our Manchester artists of the month list not too long ago, and if you haven’t given her music a try before, now’s the perfect time before seeing her in person at The Hundred – worth the ticket price on her own, if you ask us.
Better still, she’s not the only name we’re excited about seeing this summer, as joining the live music lineup in Manchester is native hip-hop, grime, soul and afrobeats musician, Prido, whose storytelling style has been making waves not just within the genre but across the city.
For instance, his last live set for BBC Introducing at Reading Festival 2024 saw plenty of attention online, and he’s definitely one to watch, even if you don’t manage to catch him at the cricket. Aimei 媚 and Lowes complete this year’s lineup and are set to take the stage throughout August.
Manchester Originals women’s player Sophie Ecclestone said: “The live music at The Hundred is one of my favourite things about playing in the competition. It brings an extra element to The Hundred which is different to other forms of cricket.”
With early bird tickets available from just £5 for under 16s and for £17 adults, it’s no surprise that 9,000 have already been sold for the Originals‘ derby against Northern Superchargers on Sunday, 17 August.
You can find out more information on what else is in store at The Hundred 2025 beyond the live music lineup and grab your tickets for Manchester HERE.
You can read our review of her recent show HERE.PerriePridoJust some of the names that make up The Hundred live music lineup for 2025. (Credit: Press shots/Audio North)
Daisy Jackson -
2nd September 2023 
