Creative agency Big People Music is putting on a special weekend of music for the ‘Music That Makes You’ festival in the city. And best of all, it’s totally free!
Known for producing top quality artists, Big People Music has curated an unbelievable lineup of the freshest hip hop, neo-soul, R&B and electronic musicians putting local music on the map over the last couple of years.
St Ann’s Square and HOME’s sister venue Homeground have been chosen to host a stage each. Both venues will be fully outdoors, creating the perfect setting for some festival feels right here in the city centre.
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Since opening its doors at the end of May, the new Homeground – situated on First Street – has been providing Mancunians with a brand-new means of enjoying live music, DJs, comedy and theatre with a weekly programme of entertainment to get stuck into.
On Saturday, you’ll find the silky soulful sounds of KinKai and LayFullstop, plus DJ Jomo, Children of Zeus’ tour DJ Gyalex, Maniaco17 and producer glue70 playing here as part of the Music That Makes You festival.
Meanwhile, Sunday will see some powerful performances from The KTNA twins, and Ceeow, alongside Be!ng Rasheed, Meme Gold and Sham Steele.
Homeground has been running a massive summer programme of live music, DJs and theatre / Image: Homeground
If you’re over in St. Ann’s Sq, you can expect the same good music vibe. There’ll be appearances from DJ Gardener, Drew, Jali, Retroneek, Slowpo, Subzero & Pyper on Saturday.
And then on Sunday, they’ll have EvaBee, Me Gusta, Lobé and Nxdia.
It all kicks off from 12pm at both stages on both days, before finishing at 7pm on Saturday. On Sunday, things will wind down at a slightly earlier time of 5pm.
Although all the events are free, capacity is limited. So, head down early to make sure you secure a space.
Tunde Adekoya, Director of Big People Music, said: “This event is for those who rate quality, have a passion, and feel what they do.
“Especially those who understand that art can make you; performing can make you; literature can make you; and music can make you feel.”
Big People Music is well versed in putting together these open-air occasions. Last month, the agency hosted a series of live performances as part of Manchester International Festival’s finale at Cathedral Gardens on July 18. Manchester artists Misha B and Abnormal Sleepz both performed alongside the Big People Music Orchestra to see out the epic 18-day festival.
For more details on Music That Makes You head to Big People Music’s Instagram page, and for all this music in Manchester, follow The Manc Audio.
Feature image: Big People Music / KinKai
Music
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.
Gorillaz announce huge Manchester arena gig on upcoming UK and Ireland tour
Daisy Jackson
Gorillaz are well and truly back, and they’ve announced a huge Manchester gig on the upcoming The Mountain Tour.
The legendary band, created by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, will be performing at the Co-op Live arena next spring.
Gorillaz is a virtual band made up of singer 2D, bassist Murdoc Niccals, drummer Russel Hobbs and Japanese guitar prodigy Noodle.
The huge tour announcement comes along with the announcement of their new album, The Mountain, which features a whole myriad of collaborations including Johnny Marr, IDLES’ Joe Talbot and Dennis Hopper.
It’s their ninth studio album and promises to be a ‘playlist for a party on the border between this world and whatever happens next, exploring the journey of life and the thrill of existence’.
The Gorillaz The Mountain Tour will visit arenas across the UK and Ireland next Spring, with support from Trueno, and follows the sold-out 5-star House of Kong exhibition and four triumphant performances at Copper Box Arena.
Manchester will get the new Gorillaz tour first, with the band kicking things off at Co-op Live on 21 March before heading to cities including Leeds, Cardiff, Nottingham, and Liverpool.
The BRIT and Grammy-winning virtual band formed following a collision of mishaps, meetings and pure luck to blow up a pre-digital world.
The album will officially release on 20 March 2026.
General on sale begins at 11am on Friday 19 September HERE.
Gorillaz’ ‘The Mountain Tour’ dates in full
MARCH 21 – Co-op Live, Manchester 22 – BP Pulse Live, Birmingham 24 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow (support from Trueno) 25 – First Direct Arena, Leeds 27 – Utilitia Arena, Cardiff (support from Trueno) 28 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham (support from Trueno) 29 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool (support from Trueno) 31 – SSE Arena, Belfast
APRIL 1 – 3Arena, Dublin (support from Trueno)
JUNE 20 – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London (support from Sparks and Trueno)
Hannah Starkie -
12th August 2021 
