Wilmslow is set to host its first flagship live music festival this upcoming May bank holiday weekend.
There’s lots of stuff going on this long weekend – be it the FA Cup final, the Great Manchester Run, the Manchester Jazz Festival and various other gigs – but if you fancy getting away from the bustle of the city centre, then this one is right up your street.
We’re talking about Wilmslow Live ’24: the affluent Cheshire suburb’s inaugural festival, which is set to be packed out with up-and-coming local acts, lots of food and drink, as well as plenty of fun for all the family.
Taking place on Saturday, 25 May over at the iconic Bank Square building, the local community and people from all over the region, Greater Manchester and beyond are being welcomed to the maiden live music festival just down the road.
BlackSheepLadSiren SoundsCredit: Wilmslow Live
Organised by Wilmslow Business Improvement District (BID), on behalf of the town centre businesses, the event will celebrate the very best in North West talent.
The main stage in Bank Square, hosted by Cheshire’s local station Silk FM and sponsored by Orbit Developments, will see live performances from 12–6pm.
The lineup kicks off with the Neil Matthews Band, followed by performances from Aura Music Academy, Wilmslow High School’s Sunstate Band; the all-female Siren Sounds choir and Alderley and Wilmslow Musical Theatre Group (AWMTG), just for starters.
You’ve also got singer-songwriter Jess Scragg, soul and funk band Violet Line, as well as indie folk-pop musician BlackSheepLad to round off the line-up.
But it doesn’t just stop at the music, there are also lots of free things to do for people to get involved with, including plenty to keep the kids busy over in Wilmslow Live’s dedicated Family Fun Zone at the music festival site on the bottom of Green Lane.
Sponsored by handcrafted furniture retailer, Arlo & Jacob, activities include mini golf, free face painting, games and balloon modelling.
Oh, and then you’ve got all the scran. Sponsored by Langricks Chartered Accountants, a whole host of Wilmslow cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars are helping put on a street food-style service throughout the day. We often hate this phrase but there really is something for everyone at the bank holiday festival.
Wilmslow BID Manager, Lisa Russett, said: “We can’t wait for the first-ever Wilmslow Live! We’re delighted to be able to showcase local talent and with lots of options for food and drink and family-friendly activities on offer we’re confident it’s going to be a fantastic day with a brilliant atmosphere.”
Tickets are selling out fast but you can grab yours HERE.
Country star Tyler Childers is coming to town for his biggest Manchester show to date
Danny Jones
US country music star Tyler Childers is returning to Manchester for his biggest ever show in this city, and tickets go on sale very soon.
Fresh off the back of his new album, Snipe Hunter – which was only just dropped back in July – the 34-year-old singer-songwriter is riding a fresh wave of excitement after years of hard work within the genre, mixing in plenty of classic bluegrass and folk into his modern take on the classic American sound.
As one of the most-streamed and well-respected contemporary country musicians on the scene right now, the Kentucky-born solo star and understated acoustic guitarist often falls into that category of your favourite artist’s favourite artist.
Now Tyler Childers is coming to our most legendary arena as part of his UK and European tour early next year, and we’ll certainly be queuing online for tickets.
As far as AO Arena shows booked in for the new year go, we’re very excited about this one.
His seventh studio album has been well-received by his die-hard followers and newcomers alike, delivering that same traditional Appalachian storytelling and hard-bitten humour, as well as plenty of attitude and anecdotal idiosyncrasies, not to mention plenty of vocal range as always.
Having not long come back from a pilgrimage to India, Lawrence County king teamed up with legendary producer Rick Rubin (along with some help from Sylvan Esso’s Nick Sanborn) to create one of his most eye-opening, broad and best records yet.
Post-release, the Associated Press went on to label him “one of country music’s most compelling and unpredictable artists”, and we tend to agree.
The LP immediately spawned plenty of fan favourites, and we certainly have ours – and the video has definitely had a hand in it:
It may just be his best work yet.
Experimenting with his current unique take on country rock sound more than ever, you couldn’t ask for a better time to go and see him live.
Once again, Tyler Childers comes to the AO Arena in Manchester on Sunday, 8 March 2026, with an official pre-sale available via Three+ from 9am on Wednesday, 10 September.
As for general admission, tickets go live at the same time on the following Friday (12 Sep); you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
We don’t know about you, but we’re very much enjoying our country moment at the minute…
Lil Baby cancels entire European tour including Manchester Co-op Live date
Daisy Jackson
A major act at Co-op Live has cancelled their gig today, just weeks ahead of their scheduled appearance.
Rapper Lil Baby has called off his entire European tour, which included a massive gig here in Manchester.
Fans have been notified via email that the shows will no longer be going ahead.
The Grammy award-winning artist was set to play the Co-op Live on Friday 26 September as part of his WHAM World Tour.
But Lil Baby will no longer be performing in Manchester – along with cancelled shows in London and across Europe – due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’.
A statement from AXS sent to fans said: “The event organisers have been in touch to let us know that due to unforeseen circumstances, Lil Baby’s performance has now been cancelled.
“We will be automatically refunding your tickets to the method of payment you used to buy your tickets, so you don’t need to do anything further.
“Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
Lil Baby has released four chart-topping albums, with his seminal album My Turn going seven-time Platinum.
Fans have been voicing their dismay at the cancellation of the tour, with one writing on X: “All rappers do is cancel SMH. Lilbaby cancelled tour cba.”
Another wrote: “Why the hell has lil baby cancelled his show.”
Someone on TikTok said: “I woke up to this email now my day is ruined cos Wdymm.”
And someone else posted: “I PURPOSELY TOLD MY PEOPLE NOT GOING ON HOLIDAY FOR MY BDAY BECAUSE LIL BABY PERFORMING IN LONDON ON 27 THE NEXT DAY! FOR HIM TO CANNNNCEEELLLLL 2 WEEKS BEFORE.”
Danny Jones -
22nd May 2024 
