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
Audio
Take That at Etihad Stadium, Manchester – setlist, stage times, merch, support, and more
Daisy Jackson
Take That will be arriving in Manchester very soon for FOUR huge shows at the Etihad Stadium.
The much-loved pop trio are bringing The Circus Live back to stadiums across the UK, recreating their record-breaking 2009 tour.
Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald are bringing back all the over-the-top, circus-themed madness of the hit tour, more than 17 years later.
And now that the tour has kicked off, we’ve got a good idea of what Take That will be bringing to Manchester – non-stop entertainment.
Expect a hot air balloon, a huge mechanical elephant, clown face paint, acrobats, unicycles, fireworks, sparkly costumes, and loads more.
Take That said upon announcing their Etihad Stadium shows: “The Circus tour was one of our favourite experiences as a band and, in the years since, we’ve talked many times about how much we’d love to do it again one day. Well, that time has come!
“We’re so excited to welcome audiences old and new across the UK and Ireland to the spectacle of The Circus Live next summer. See you out there!”
What dates are Take That performing in Manchester?
Friday 19 June
Saturday 20 June
Sunday 21 June
Wednesday 1 July
Tickets for Take That at Etihad Stadium
Take That are back in Manchester for four stadium shows. Credit: Jason Hetherington
None of Take That’s Manchester gigs have totally sold out yet, but some nights have better availability than others.
Availability for opening night is still decent, with plenty of space in both seating and standing, and it’s similar scenes for Sunday 21 June.
For Saturday 20 June, the Etihad Stadium is down to only single seats (unless you grab an official resale ticket).
And if you can wait til Wednesday 1 July, there’s a really good mix of tickets still available, including seats from just £49.25.
VIP packages are available too.
Pitch standing – £87.75
Front standing – £137.25
Seated – £49.25, £71.25, £98.75 £114.15, £153.75
Take That setlist for The Circus Live 2026
Take That
Greatest Day
Hello
Could It Be Magic (Barry Manilow cover)
Pray
A Million Love Songs
Back for Good
The Garden
Shine
Up All Night
Babe
You’re a Superstar
The Circus
What Is Love
Do What U Like / Promises / It Only Takes a Minute / Take That and Party
Said It All
Never Forget
Patience
Relight My Fire (Dan Hartman cover)
Encore
Hold Up a Light
Rule the World
Take That merch prices
Take That have got a massive range of merch available on The Circus Live Tour, including t-shirts, football tops, totes, jumpers, and even elephant stuffed toys.
The big hitters seem to be their bomber jackets, and the football-inspired shirts and scarves – but your wallet will take a hit too…
Take That t-shirts – £45
The Circus Live football top – £85
Take That bomber jacket – £170
Take That striped t-shirt – £55
Oversized tote bag – £35
Take That striped jumper – £90
Take That hoody – £90
Official tour book – £25
Elephant plushie – £50
City-specific posters – £20
Football scarf – £35
Headband – £20
Key ring – £15
Car air fresheners – £10
Stage times
The Etihad Stadium hasn’t announced the exact stage times for Take That just yet, but based on previous shows on the tour, it should be something like this:
Take That have gathered some incredible support acts for the entire The Circus Live Tour, including their four nights in Manchester.
They’ll be supported by American singing legend Belinda Carlisle, whose solo hits include Heaven Is A Place On Earth, I Get Weak, and Leave a Light On.
Then warming up the crowd even more will be The Script, the beloved Irish pop rock band who are responsible for huge songs like Hall Of Fame, The Man Who Can’t Be Moved, and Breakeven.
Phoebe Bridgers announces long-awaited return with HUGE phones-free arena gig in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
It’s official, Phoebe Bridgers is back on earth.
More than six years since her last studio album, Punisher, was released to the world, cementing her status as one of indie folk’s leading figureheads, Phoebe Bridgers has given fans the news they have been waiting so patiently for.
A new tour North America and EU tour is on the horizon, and she’ll be stopping off here in Manchesterlater this year for a huge arena gig.
Following a sold-out acoustic show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden last night (4 June), Phoebe has now revealed details of ‘The Lost Tour’ for 2026.
Other than the series of surprise pop-up acoustic shows that have wrapped around the country over the last few weeks – beginning in Roswell in New Mexico on 8 May, and continuing on to smaller venues in other US cities before culminating in last night’s dazzling MSG show – this upcoming full band tour marks the first Phoebe Bridgers shows since early 2023.
Phoebe will be taking to the stage at Co-op Live here in Manchester for one night only on 26 November 2026 – with tickets going on sale next week.
And just like the pop-up shows, the use of mobile phones, cameras, and other recording devices will be strictly prohibited on this tour, encouraging fans to be more present in the moment.
This means the Co-op Live event will utilise secure pouches to store all devices during the performance.
Phoebe Bridgers is playing a huge arena gig in Manchester on her UK tour later this year / Credit: Supplied | Raph PH (Wikimedia Commons)
Upon arrival, all phones, smartwatches, and related accessories will be secured in these pouches, the pouches will be unlocked at the conclusion of the show, and any guest observed using a non-permitted device during the performance will be escorted out of the venue.
If the news of Phoebe’s return wasn’t exciting enough for fans as it is, she won’t be the only one making a highly-anticipated return to the stage, as support on the UK & EU leg of the tour is to be provided by former Black Country, New Road frontman, Isaac Wood.
Wood stepped away from the ensemble band – and the limelight as a whole – right before the release of BCNR’s critically acclaimed second studio album, Ants From Up There, in 2022, citing mental health reasons.
Phoebe has also partnered with PLUS1 so that €1/£1 from every ticket sold on the European tour leg goes to local organisations throughout the EU/UK working to support those impacted by sexual assault and violence.
Phoebe Bridgers will be playing Co-op Live as part of ‘The Lost Tour’ on Thursday 26 November 2026.
Tickets officially go on sale first through the Phoebe Bridgers Pass Presale via Fan3, and Co-op Member Presale starting at 10am on Wednesday 10 June, before general sale then begins on Friday 12 June, again at 10am.
Hannah Starkie -
14th September 2021 
