Lockdown restrictions are lifting and the sunshine is out. Summer is definitely getting closer now – and that inimitable festival feelingis finally within reach.
For most of us, raving in a big field with a thumping soundtracks alongside thousands of others is a distant memory – with the vast majority of large-scale events cancelled for well over a year.
But there’s hope for the future – and loads of mint day festivals have been pencilled in to take place in summer 2021 and beyond.
We’ve put together a list of the biggest events up to an hour’s(ish) drive from Greater Manchester. Here are some of our top picks that still have tickets remaining.*
Newsam Park, Temple Newsam, Leeds – Saturday 10 July
The brand-new open-air festival Newsam Park festival was due to take place in July last year – but was cancelled for obvious reasons. They’re having another go on Saturday 10 July with a scaled down version but packed with all the same big-name house and techno DJs.
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On the former site of the Cocoon in the Park festival at Temple Newsham in Leeds, there’ll be two stages featuring the likes of Jamie Jones, Denis Sulta, Sven Vath, Mella Dee and Nightmares on Wax throughout the day.
Acropolis, Tutbury Castle, Staffordshire – Saturday 31 July
Aerial view of the grounds and ruins of Tutbury Castle, Staffordshire / Image: Acropolis
Another new one for 2021 is Acropolis which will make its debut at Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire on Saturday 31 July.
The ruins of the castle will provide a moody and atmospheric setting for this techno-fuelled day. Alan Fitzpatrick, Eats Everything, Enzo Siragusa, Pawsa and Manchester’s own Mason Collective are confirmed to play, with support yet to be announced.
Mardi Gras, Roundhay Park, Leeds – Saturday 14 August
Mardi Gras at Leeds’ Roundhay Park is yet another exciting new addition to the 2021 festival calendar on Saturday 14 August.
There’ll be two full-size festival production stages hosting everything from local acts to global names.
The lineup is yet to be announced so keep an eye out for that. Tickets are already running low, get yours on Skiddle here.
Retro In The Park, Burnley – Saturday 28 August
After a bit of nostalgic house music? Burnley’s Retro In The Park festival should do the trick.
On Saturday 28 August, there’ll be three arenas of music at Towneley Park, each with a different vibe.
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The UK’s largest house classics event, Retro, will take over Arena 1, with Roger Sanchez and Graeme Park taking the headline spots.
Some of best 90s artists will be taking the stage over in Arena 2. Think: N-Trance, Nightcrawlers and K-Klass.
Arena 3 will also see the Angels Reunion with Stu Allan, Rob Tissera and Matt Bell.
General admission and VIP are still available on Skiddle here.
Wile Out Festival, Burnley – Sunday 29 August
Again at Burnley’s Towneley Park, Wile Out Festival on bank holiday Sunday is boasting a massive bass and house lineup featuring some huge artists like DJ EZ, Mistajam and James Hype on the main stage, alongside Sigma, Tom Zanetti, Flava D and Bad Boy Chiller Crew at the bass stage.
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Sam Divine, Low Steppa and Huxley will also take on the Cuckoo Land stage to provide the house energy.
People sat around the Highest Point festival sign /Image: Highest Point
Up in Lancaster, across two days on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 September, will be Highest Point.
Following the success of the 2019 weekender, the festival will return for another instalment at Williamson Park later this year.
Friday will see DJ sets from Rudimental and Wilkinson, alongside performances from Becky Hill and Ella Eyre. Then, there’ll be tons more house and tech from the likes of Richy Ahmed, Josh Butler, Seb Zito, Monki and East End Dubs.
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On the Saturday, Rag’N’Bone Man takes the headline slot and there’ll be music from Clean Bandit, plus cracking sets from Hybrid Minds, Friction and Dimension to make up the drum and bass offerings.
Another one just down the M62 in Leeds is Mint festivalon Saturday 25 September.
Now in its tenth year, the festival promises to be the biggest and best edition yet, at its new home of Newsam Green Farm, located just 10 minutes outside the city centre.
There’ll be four arenas of techno, house and tech house which will see Leeds’ faves Patrick Topping, Eats Everything and Darius Syrossian on the decks, alongside Amelie Lens, East End Dubs, Elliot Adamson and Enzo Siragusa.
Sandwell Valley Country Park in the Midlands will play host to the famous elrow on 25 and 26 September.
There’ll be the usual confetti, inflatables and carnival madness and whilst the lineup is yet to be announced, they always curate the biggest and best parties so it’s well worth grabbing a ticket here.
Cream Classical on the Waterfront, Liverpool – Saturday 18 September
Liverpool’s iconic Pier Head will be home to “Cream Classical on the Waterfront” for an open-air event on Saturday 18 September. The show will bring together a 50-piece orchestra who will perform an extra special live set curated by K-Klass.
Between 12pm and 11pm, there’ll be sets from legends Basement Jaxx, Faithless, Seb Fontaine and Tall Paul.
Stay up to date with Manchester music and events with The Manc Audio.
*Tickets available at time of publishing.
Featured image: Elrow
Gigs & Nightlife
The Warehouse Project announces fallow year and events on ‘far smaller scale’ from 2027
Daisy Jackson
The Warehouse Project has just announced that it will take a ‘short breather’ next year, with a fallow year on the cards.
The enormous clubbing series has cemented Manchester’s position as a leading nightlife city, drawing hundreds of thousands with its curated lineups and live sets.
Over the last 20 years, The Warehouse Project has transformed venues including a disused brewery, an underground car park (the iconic Store Street), and Victoria Warehouse.
Since moving into Depot Mayfield in 2019, the scale and magnitude of the clubbing series has rocketed, attracting huge names like Fred Again, Disclosure, Skrillex, Bicep, Four Tet, and plenty more.
There have also been massive nights curated by the likes of Annie Mac, Worried About Henry, Jamie XX, and more.
Plus huge recurring events every year, like the brilliant Homobloc and WHP’s almighty New Years closing parties.
But now, after two decades, the founders have announced ‘something of a fallow year’ in 2027.
While they’ve assured fans that there will still be events, these will be ‘on a far smaller scale’ – and will definitely not be returning to Store Street.
Reflecting back, they wrote: “The idea was simple: find a space that existed for a finite period each winter and create a series of totally unique musical moments – each unique in its own right, reaching different audiences, but all coming together under one roof for one unmissable season. A whole new format in which to experience this culture.
“Those early years had a particular energy. There was huge risk at every turn and, at times, unimaginable chaos that could easily have ended the whole thing before it had really begun. Amongst it all though, there was a feeling we were onto something special. We just needed to keep going.”
The statement continued: “Over the last two decades, almost everything aroundus has changed. Music has changed. Manchester has changed.
“The way people discover artists and experience nightlife has changed. And The Warehouse Project has kept evolving alongside it. We’ve moved through different homes and chapters. Each night leaving its own mark on the story.
“We’ve welcomed our heroes to play stages in train depots, old defunct brewerys and underground car parks. And we’ve seen multiple generations create cherished memories on that dancefloor.
“We spoke at length about how to mark 20 Years. After all this time, how do we make this 2026 season feel like the landmark moment it should be? We think the answer is to dial things back the following year. So, in 2027 WHP, in its current format, will take a short breather.”
The Warehouse Project added: “The Warehouse Project as you currently know it takes something of a fallow year in 2027.
“To the artists who trusted us; the agents, managers, promoters and partners who backed that crazy idea; and all the unsung heroes who have worked so incredibly hard behind the scenes, year after year – thank you.
“And to everyone who has ever bought a ticket, stood in a queue in the Manchester rain, discovered a new artist, lost their friends, found them again, stayed until the lights came up, or walked out into the morning knowing they’d just experienced something special. You are the reason we are still here.
Sir Rod Stewart announces Manchester gig on final ever tour
Daisy Jackson
Sir Rod Stewart has announced his final ever tour, with the legendary singer set to perform in Manchester along with some of Europe’s biggest arenas in 2027.
The ‘The Final Encore’ tour will mark the end of a live career spanning more than six decades, with Stewart kicking off the run in Dublin next spring before heading across the UK and Europe.
The music icon will be heading to the Co-op Live in May next year, with support from synth-pop pioneer Howard Jones.
Announcing the tour, Rod Stewart said: “The time has come to say farewell to life on the road. After more than six decades, The Final Encore will most definitely be my last.
“I’ve been singing the music I love since I was 19 years old, and I’ve had the privilege of taking it around the world to all of you. It has given me a life beyond anything I could ever have imagined, and I hope I’ve given you some fond memories in return.
“I hope you’ll join me so I can thank you the best way I know how… with the music and one hell of a show. See you there.”
The Final Encore is expected to feature many of Stewart’s biggest songs, including Maggie May, You Wear It Well, Tonight’s the Night, Hot Legs, Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?, Young Turks, Baby Jane, Forever Young, You’re in My Heart, Rhythm of My Heart, The First Cut Is the Deepest, Sailing and Have I Told You Lately.
Credit: Denise Truscello Credit: Jonathan Kammen 2007
Stewart has sold more than 250 million records and singles worldwide and has amassed 31 UK Top 10 singles, including six number ones. His career has also seen him inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice and named a Grammy Living Legend.
His touring career has been just as remarkable, with Stewart having performed for an estimated 20 million fans around the world.
That includes his famous Guinness World Record-setting performance on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, where an estimated 3.5 million people watched him perform, as well as a 13-year, 200-show residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
Now, after more than 60 years on stage, Stewart is preparing to bring the curtain down on his touring career.
General release tickets for Rod Stewart’s The Final Encore will go on sale from 10am on Friday 2 October, with a number of presales taking place in the days prior.
Rod Stewart will perform in Manchester one last time on Thursday 6 May 2027 – tickets will go on sale HERE.
Hannah Starkie -
4th June 2021 
