Whilst it feels like summer might be over now, there is still a whole load of open-air events you can get stuck into at Castlefield Bowl this week to help you prolong the summer feeling as much as possible into September.
Since 2013, Sounds of the City has been bringing some of the best UK bands and artists to the city. We’ve seen Manchester bands New Order, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Elbow and Courteeners have all been invited to perform in their hometown, along with the likes of Arcade Fire, The Kooks and Catfish And The Bottlemen over the years.
But finally, after a year away, the series is back and bringing even more of the UK and Ireland’s finest to Castlefield Bowl this September in celebration of the 2021 edition.
So, from next Tuesday there are six nights of top-class concerts happening down there – and here we’ve picked out our top three selections, all of which have still got tickets left.
Brit-award nominated Dermot Kennedy will visit on Tuesday
Dermot spent some time touring America in August. Credit: @jessedeflorio/IG
Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy catapulted to stardom in 2019 following the release of his debut album ‘Without Fear’, and it seems there’s no chance of him slowing down any time soon.
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On its release, the album became the fastest-selling album of 2019 in Ireland, topping the UK Charts too.
Bridging hip-hop and folk genres, Dermot has developed a unique sound over the years. You’ll be able to witness the Irish powerhouse in action on Tuesday 21 September as he visits Manchester as part of the Sounds of the City series.
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He’ll have support from Mimi Webb who is best known for her song ‘Before I Go’ which was featured by Charli D’Amelio on TikTok. This week, Mimi dropped her debut album which entered straight into the Top 50.
This show will be a warm up for Dermot’s upcoming tour this Autumn which includes two sold-out dates at the O2 Victoria Warehouse.
For your chance to see Dermot live at Castlefield Bowl, tickets are selling fast but grab them here.
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Lively Wednesday night antics with Kaiser Chiefs
Kaiser Chiefs visited Halifax’s Piece Hall last weekend. Credit: Kaiser Chiefs/IG
Indie-rock band Kaiser Chiefs have been in the game for 21 years and on Wednesday 22 September they’ll bring their years-worth of stage experience to Castlefield Bowl.
The band’s last album ‘Duck’ went to number three in the charts in 2019 and was followed by a Europe and UK tour before lockdown in early 2020.
So far this summer, the band have been busy with a number of one-off gigs and festival appearances including Isle of Wight Festival last Saturday. Now, they’ll add Sounds of the City to their 2021 calendar.
Support will come from fellow renowned UK band Razorlight, plus all-woman rock band PINS who are born and bred right here in Manchester.
So, if you fancy heading out for a bit of midweek live music, you can find tickets for this one here.
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End the weekend with the melancholic sounds of Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol were finally back in action last weekend. Credit: @bradleyquinnphotos/IG
Rounding off the Sounds of the City series this year will be indie rock group Snow Patrol. Throughout their stellar career, they’ve racked up five UK platinum albums, along with Grammy, BRIT and Mercury Music Prize nominations.
Not only that, but the band has the accolade of the most-played song of the 21st century on UK radio with ‘Chasing Cars’. And now, you can hear the iconic anthem live at Castlefield Bowl on Sunday 26 September.
Irish-born singer Lucy Blue will provide support on the night. The bedroom pop artist also supported Snow Patrol for their first gig back in a while last weekend at Scarborough’s Open-Air Theatre.
As well as Lucy, Wigan band The Lathums will complete the bill. The band has been tearing up the indie music scene in Manchester recently. And with the announcement of their special one-off gig at the legendary Empress Ballroom in Blackpool the band is expected to go from strength-to-strength in the next couple of years.
To witness Snow Patrol, The Lathums and Lucy Blue in the final instalment of this year’s Sounds of the City, get your tickets here.
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Tickets for all the shows are selling quickly, so don’t wait around. For more info on the Sounds of the City series and all the ticket links, head here.
And don’t forget to follow The Manc Audio on Instagram to stay up to date with music and events in Manchester.
Featured image: Sam Neill
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The K’s book Castlefield Bowl for their biggest ever headline show
Danny Jones
High-flying indie rock outfit, The K’s, are set to play a landmark headline show right here in Manchester, as the local lads have been confirmed as the first act for Sounds of the City 2026.
The cult favourite working class heroes from down the road in Newton-le-Willows have had an incredible couple of years, climbing their way up the ranks around the North, playing bigger venues and festivals up and down the country, and now they’re on a fully-fledged European tour.
It’s been brilliant to watch their rise thus far, and we couldn’t be more buzzing to hear that they’ve booked none other than Castlefield Bowl for the single largest standalone gig of their careers to date, and you can bet The K‘s army will be out in full force.
Announced alongside another massive outdoor venue this week, the toast of Earlestown will be one of several artists set to play the Sounds of City (SOTC) concert series next year.
We are absolutely BUZZING to announce our biggest ever headline show to date at Castlefield Bowl, Manchester on 03.07.26 as well as a huge headline show @ThePieceHall , Halifax on 08.08.26!Tickets for both shows will be on general sale this Friday 19th September 2025 at 9.30am 🩷 pic.twitter.com/lft55eeEbG
Confirming Castlefield Bowl alongside the magnificent Piece Hall in Halifax for summer 2026, the four-piece will make their way from Merseyside, not only down the M62 to Manchester but over to Yorkshire for what is one of the most stunning outdoor venues in the country.
These two incredible atmospheric amphitheatres are not only incredible spaces for live music, but in the case of our very own city centre stunner, Castlefield Bowl boasts a capacity of approximately 8,450 – making it comfortably The K’s biggest show yet.
Speaking of Kendal, we were in the field ourselves when the group got to revel in the moment of announcing their second album, Pretty On The Internet, had reached number one just in time for their main stage set.
Official artist presale access will be available this Wednesday, 17 September from 9:30am by signing up to their mailing list, but general admission tickets for both dates will go live at 9am the following Friday (19 Sep).
Once again, we can only say well done on the number one; having been there to discuss their debut record’s release while they threw plastic balls around a room, we couldn’t be more gassed to see how far they’ve come.
Featured Images — Press shot (supplied)/Audio North
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Lewis Capaldi announces huge outdoor Manchester gig at Wythenshawe Park next summer
Emily Sergeant
Lewis Capaldi has announced a run of huge outdoor shows next summer, and he’ll be stopping off here in Manchester.
After unprecedented demand saw one of the biggest-ever rushes for tickets across both pre-sale and general sale earlier this year, Lewis Capaldi is currently blazing through a triumphant 200,000-ticket sold out 17-date UK arena tour as we speak – and is set to take to the Co-op Live stage for two huge Manc gigs this weekend.
But he shows no signs of slowing down soon, as he has today announced his biggest ever UK and Ireland headline gigs for next summer.
Wythenshawe Park is fast becoming one of Manchester‘s go-to outdoor gig venues, and Lewis’s visit next summer is only helping the reputation, as the Scottish 28-year-old will be headlining the park for one night only next August.
The announcement of the run of summer outdoor shows comes amid Lewis’s first return to touring in two years following his triumphant Glastonbury 2025 return after an extended break to take care of his mental health break, and following the release of his comeback track ‘Survive’, which shot to the top of the UK charts and became the fastest-selling single of 2025.
The response to Lewis’s current tour has been ‘electric’, according to critics, who have been unanimous in their praise for him.
Prior to his comeback, Lewis played a run of Scottish warm up shows in May that saw him return to the stage as a guest of mental health charity CALM, in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Week.
Lewis Capaldi – Summer Outdoor Gigs 2026
Wednesday 24 June – Marlay Park, Dublin
Friday 26 June – Thomond Park, Limerick
Sunday 28 June – TX Maxx presents Live at Powderham, Exeter
Tuesday 30 June – Blackweir Fields, Cardiff
Saturday 4 July – American Express presents Roundhay Festival, Leeds
Saturday 11 July – American Express presents BST Hyde Park, London
Thursday 20 August – Vital, Belfast
Saturday 22 August – Wythenshawe Park, Manchester
With no pressure and no level of expectation, the shows allowed Lewis the space to gauge his comfort and emotional response before returning to the spotlight – a move which ended up proving nothing short of a triumph.
Lewis Capaldi will be coming to Wythenshawe Park in Manchester on Saturday 22 August 2026, and tickets go on pre-sale this Thursday 18 September at 9am, before general sale commences the following day (Friday 19 September), again at 9am.
Hannah Starkie -
14th September 2021 
