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.
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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.
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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.
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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
You can ‘run and rave’ as part of this new charity-driven social in Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
If you’re looking for a fun new way to spend a night out or thinking about getting into running but maybe haven’t quite found the right way in for you just yet, this new Manchester run socialthat starts and ends with a good old-fashioned party might be right up your street.
Run The Streets MCR is a community-led and charity-driven fitness and social event that recently launched in Manchester and has already developed a bit of a cult following in the space of only a couple of months.
The concept is simple: it’s a running social where you can meet new people whilst getting your yards in, just not quite as you know it. Instead of people turning up for a 5k and then heading home, the fun carries on at a host venue where people can keep chatting and mingling whilst having a boogie.
And the best part is that not only is it more of a causally paced, low-pressure jog and crucially social-first, but it’s all for a good cause too.
Started out by East Manchester locals and lifelong mates, Liam Parker-Worsley and Sarah Edwards, (‘Sezzle’ to those who know her among the Manc running circles), Run The Streets started out as a running social concept at its very core but has now become truly bigger than the sum of its parts.
While the ‘run and rave’ idea has been done before, this particular event is the first of its kind in Greater Manchester and after facing some serious obstacles to get it off the ground and plenty of adversity at the very first hurdle – for lack of a less punny phrase – they’ve managed to turn it into a force for good.
After pivoting the model at the start of 2024 to be completely non-profit, the monthly event is now helping bring people together for a good time, from the tarmac to the tiles, all whilst raising money for the likes of The Running Charity (TRC).
Not only do all the proceeds from the super affordable tickets – we’re talking the same price you’d pay for a decent pint in town these days – go straight back into running the next social, but they also help fund the chosen charity for that month.
Be it national causes like TRC, which recently received huge support from the incredible ‘Hardest Geezer‘s run across Africa, or charities strictly local to Manchester, everyone involved is striding towards a goal – quite literally.
Meet the team behind the new non-profit run social in Manchester.
Offering a different kind of night out
Speaking to The Manc, co-creator Sezzle says the mission statement is simple: “Everyone’s welcome and you can meet new people whilst running but at the same time we’re giving back to the community.
“We’re supporting local charities, artists and DJs, as well as local running clubs who want to get involved. Essentially, it’s just about bringing people together, which is what run clubs do, but we’re also in a big city and not everyone wants to go out and just drink at a bar all night.
“You want to keep fit, it’s good for your mental health, but you also still want to be social and enjoy yourself. Run The Streets is that Mancunian through and through but everyone’s invited.”
Sober for five months now, she acknowledged that outlets like this are crucial, insisting: “I don’t want to stop going out and having a good time or meeting new people, so this is a way that you can still go out on a Friday night and enjoy a party atmosphere with no pressure to drink”.
This is what the start of a night in trainers, hi-vis and glow sticks looks like. (Credit: Supplied)
The ‘by Manchester for Manchester’ ethos
Her partner in crime Liam echoed that party-run description, reiterating that whilst people can still get a bit boozy if they like, it’s all about “providing an alternative for anyone who doesn’t want to drink and want to be included but might have felt a little alienated otherwise”.
A fellow Tameside native, he explained how Run The Streets has already partnered with zero-alcohol brands like Clean Break for their inaugural event back in March and now alcohol-free favourite Lucky Saint for their sophomore social this month.
“It’s not about the financial aspect for us”, says Liam, “we only charge for tickets to sustain the event and pay for the talent, hiring spaces and so on… It might be different venues, different charities etc., but as long as we focus on core issues to Manchester with a cultural element that’s important to us, we’re happy with that”.
Sez couldn’t agree more, adding: “At the end of the day, we’re Mancs, we’ve watched the city grow into what it is today. When it comes down to it everyone knows about the Manchester spirit, it’s a hard-working area and there’s such a community to this place – we want to make sure everyone feels welcome.
“We look out for each other. That’s how it’s always been.”
Their recent running event with Matchroom ahead of the Gill vs Barrett fight at AO Arena. (Credit: Run The Streets MCR)
Roots in the running and wider Greater Manchester community
Chatting with Tom Lewis, founder of Manchester’s annual 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness and Chairman for the Run The Street’s official host club, Manchester Road Runners, he said that they became interested because they “really liked the idea of sponsoring different charities every month”.
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Confessing that it felt like “a natural crossover” given MRR’s size and ethos, as well as their own non-profit work with the British Heart Foundation and Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, he said the “overall response from the first event was incredible – everyone just loved it”.
“There were people dancing on the streets as they saw us come past and there were so many videos on social media. That sort of stuff can really help get people into running who wouldn’t necessarily consider it in the first place.”
“I think it’s going to grow really quickly; the first event sold out and I think the next ones will too, definitely. It’s great to see what just a random group of friends can accomplish when we come together.”
Manchester Road Runners is helping bring huge numbers to the event already.
Liam himself couldn’t speak highly enough of the Castlefield-based group, insisting that “me and Sez find a lot of happiness and solace” at MRR.
While they are affiliated with others like KOKO (Keep On Keeping On’s Manchester arm) and Stretford Run Club that they want to help promote, the hope is that events like this might help people who run but don’t attend a club might give them a try in the future.
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Regular ambassador and volunteer at both organisations, Natasha Barclay – who herself is over a year into her own sobriety journey – described the flagship event as “such good fun, really welcoming” and filled with plenty of people who had never even run before.
Nat also urged people not to be scared if they’re first-timers to run socials or running full stop, reassuring that “no one gets left behind; even if you can’t really run, you’ll always make it back, have a good time and meet others in the same boat”.
She went on to add: “Run The Streets MCR is all about giving back to the running community which I think can often get overshadowed by social media and certain brands. The spirit can sometimes get taken out of it but this run social puts its straight back in whilst helping Manchester business and DJs.”
When we asked the guys to sum this whole experience up in three words or less that weren’t ‘rave and run’, they came up with some pretty telling answers too. “Community, soul and fun”, “alternative Friday fun” and our personal favourite: “Simply for Manchester”.
It’s also worth reiterating that these guys have done it completely off their own backs and are doing so on an entirely voluntary basis on top of their full-time jobs, sometimes juggling two or three different roles. It’s been built over countless late nights and dinner hours, all for the love of running and the city.
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The second ever Run The Streets MCR running social and party kicks off this Friday, 26 April from 7pm at Joshua Brooks, with a light 5k around our lovely city centre starting at 7:30pm before heading back to the venue for more tunes, dancing, glowsticks and general good vibes from 8pm onwards.
You can grab the last few remaining tickets HERE and we hope to see a few of you there on the night.
Come rain or shine, there’s always tunes to keep you going.The turnout at the last Run The Streets Manchester social at The Deaf Institute.Credit: Supplied/The Manc Group
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Run The Streets MCR
Music
Why Leeds is the best city to visit this summer for live music, gigs and festivals
Sophie Smith
Our neighbours over in Leeds have got all the best music festivals, homecoming gigs and performances you’ll struggle to find anywhere else this summer.
Leeds has become known locally, and increasingly nationally, as a go-to city for live music and it’s not difficult to see why.
Once upon a time it was Leeds Festival that carried their reputation as a proper Northern Powerhouse in the music scene, and whilst the city still welcomes 80,000 visitors the festival brings each year, there’s plenty more to explore than this.
From up-and-coming indie artists performing in intimate venues to England-exclusive performances; world record attempts; homecoming gigs from some of the biggest artists through the decades and a celebration of our local music nights, we’ve scoured the city in search of all the best events to get yourself down to.
Keep reading to find our sister page The Hoot Leeds’ guide to the most exciting events to visit this summer that are putting Leeds on the map as one of the best cities for live music and festivals…
Festivals
Whether you’re planning to camp out at one of the UK’s biggest music festivals or fancy yourself a trip into the city centre to discover new artists, Leeds is packed withfestivals and events throughout the summer, plenty of which you can’t find anywhere else in the country.
Gold Sounds Festival
The festival that booked Phoebe Bridgers before she became a hit sensation
Images: The Hoot Leeds / Hanglands
Hosted inside the legendary Brudenell Social Club, one of Leeds’ most popular music venues for up-and-coming artists, Gold Sounds Festival is an all-day event bringing alternative music lovers together for a day of non-stop tunes. The festival has a pretty impressive alumni, including Phoebe Bridgers, Wunderhorse, Dune Rats and The Big Moon.
Leeds and Manchester share the festival between them, but with a host of different names in each city, Sounds Of The City Leeds is well worth travelling for to your only chance to catch Anne-Marie, Paloma Faith and Gabrielle, Busted, Suede and Manic Street Preachers perform as part of the festival.
When: Thursday 4 July – Friday 19 July 2024
Where: Millennium Square, Leeds City Centre, LS2 3AD
Tickets: Varying between £45 and £66.45, tickets are available via See Tickets here
Find out more here.
Live At Leeds: In The Park
The indie day festival where you’re destined to spot the ‘next big thing’
Image: Supplied
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Making up the summer portion of the Live At Leeds series, Temple Newsam will be abuzz with artists new and old. This year headlining are The Kooks, plus Declan McKenna, The Cribs, Sea Girls, Future Islands, Circa Waves, Baby Queen and Melanie C.
There’s nothing else like it on this scale in the north
Image: Millennium Square
Image: Buster Shuffle via Instagram
Leeds music festivals span across all genres, including a seven hour festival dedicated to Ska and Mod music. Doors open from 2pm with artists like King Hammond & The Rude Boy Mafia, Stranger Cole, The Chords, Death Of Guitar Pop and Buster Shuffle confirmed for the outdoor event.
When: Sunday 4 August 2024, 2-9pm
Where: Millennium Square, Leeds City Centre, LS2 3AD
Catch You Me At Six’s final UK festival performance.
Images: Supplied
The UK’s biggest indie rock festival regularly attracts crowds from across the country, and this year with a line-up of I Prevail, The Interrupters, The All American Rejects and the final UK festival performance from You Me At Six, this year will be no different.
Fred Again’s festival exclusive, the return of Catfish and The Bottlemen’s, plus the chance to see some of the world’s biggest artists live across three day festival
Image: Supplied
Image: The Hoot Leeds
An obvious choice when it comes to ‘must-visit events in Leeds’: the festival is set to have one of it’s biggest years to date with over 200 acts promised to attend over the three days, including headliners Blink 182, Lana Del Ray, Liam Gallagher, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Gerry Cinnamon.
When: Friday 23 August – Sunday 25 August 2024
Where: Bramham Park, Leeds, LS23 6ND
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Tickets: £125 for a day ticket or £325 for the entire weekend, all tickets are still available viaTicketmaster here
Leeds is home to some incredible talent. We grew with the Kaiser Chiefs in the 00s, followed Mel B on her journey to success with the Spice Girls and have plenty of time for ex-One Direction star Zayn Malik who always shares how proud he is of his West Yorkshire roots (and is now the face of theBradford 2025 campaign).
If you want a live event where you can genuinely watch artists feel at home, with local fans pouring out to see their neighbours, school alumni, or even just celebrities that keep the dream of live music alive and accessible for us all, heading to a homecoming gig in Leeds is a must.
Here’s our top picks of which homegrown artists you can catch back in Leeds this summer…
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Yard Act
Vocalist James Smith and bassist Ryan Needham started the band after moving into a house in Meanwood together in 2016. Image: Yard Act
The four-piece band from Leeds have been going from strength-to-strength since steering their golden rover into the public eye in 2020. Yard Act command the stage at every single gig and fill their acts with fun, humorous twists choreographed to a tee and we’re expecting nothing less from their homecoming gig this August.
When: Saturday 3 August 2024
Where: Millennium Square, Leeds City Centre, LS2 3AD
Corrine Bailey Rae grew up in Moortown and attended university in Leeds. Image: Corrine Bailey Rae
Black Rainbows is a musical project ‘inspired by the objects and artworks collected by Theaster Gates at the Stony Island Arts Bank in Chicago’ that Corrine Bailey Rae will be sharing with Leeds as part of the Live At Leeds festival at Temple Newsam.
Kimberly Walsh grew up in Allerton and returns for two nights on The Girls Aloud Tour. Image: Supplied
Girls Aloud are back after a long hiatus, celebrating 21-years together and in memory of fellow band member Sarah Harding, the Sound Of The Underground returns to stages across the UK, with two nights planned in Leeds.
When: Saturday 15 June and Sunday 16 June 2024
Where: First Direct Arena, Arena Way, Leeds, LS2 8BY
Tickets: Both dates still have limited tickets left, available via Ticketmaster here
The band came together in Bailiff Bridge, just outside of Halifax in the 90s.
Cast your mind back to the early 00s, Embrace were on the Millennium Square stage at Live At Leeds (pictured above), Chris Martin had just co-written a song with the band and Coldplay were their support act. Now the West-Yorkshire-born-and-bred band will be taking over the stunning ruins of an old monastery at Kirkstall Abbey in celebration of 20 years of album ‘Out Of Nothing‘.
Leeds’ own The Pigeon Detectives will be supporting Madness at Kirkstall Abbey this summer. With six albums to choose from, expect the summer party to start on stage before we’re welcomed to the House Of Fun this July.
The English indie rock band has been through it all in the last 40 years. Tied with Elvis Presley for the most number of Top 40 hits in a single year in 1992, seven record labels, nine albums and a whopping 26 band members during this time (five present and 21 former): now The Wedding Present is coming home for a performance at the O2 Academy.
When: Saturday 5 October 2024
Where: O2 Academy Leeds, 55 Cookridge Street, Leeds LS2 3AW
Gigs you’ll struggle to find anywhere else this summer
So Leeds might not be the biggest city in the UK, but it’s been chosen by artists across the world as a must-visit for live music, in fact, Leeds has been chosen as the only English city to host Global-Award-winning band Nothing But Thieves this summer, as well as one of a handful taking part in Frank Turner‘s world record attempt.
We’re also a city that knows how to party, and as such, you’ll be able to find tickets to the new day rave for over 30s here, and remain one of, if not the only, place in the country with availability.
Keep reading to find out our top picks for exclusive music events in Leeds this summer…
Frank Turner’s World Record Attempt
Image: Frank Turner via Facebook
Leeds joins a select number of UK venues for this weekend-long record attempt
Leeds has been chosen as one of the cities to play a part in artist Frank Turner’s attempt to perform at the most music venues in 24 hours. There will be a solo set lasting around 20 minutes or so around 4pm, but due to the nature of the record attempt, timings may vary on the day.
Millennium Square is the band’s only headline show in England this summer
The Dead Club City band toured the UK last year, missing Leeds off the rota – until now that is. Leeds is now the only headline stop for the band as they play across Europe this summer, and with a back catalogue of four albums and six EPs all recorded in the last decade to choose from, there’s going to be non-stop-hits all night long at Millennium Square.
When: Wednesday 3 July 2024
Where: Millennium Square, Leeds City Centre, LS2 3AD
‘The daytime disco that doesn’t ruin your Sunday’ is returning to Leeds following the success of its launch over Easter weekend. Over-30s club event Day Fever is touring across the country but Leeds is the only city (at the time of writing) that still has tickets available, but this is sure to change soon so grab yours whilst you can to avoid disappointment.
Paris, Berlin, New York and West Yorkshire host the prestigious event.
Now in its 21st year, Leeds International Piano Competition comes to an exciting crescendo at the Great Hall inside the University of Leeds. Heats are held around the world before a second round and semi-finals are held in Leeds, and the grand final nearby in Bradford.
When: Friday 13 September – Saturday 21 September 2024
Where: The Great Hall of the University of Leeds, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JT
Returning favourites that keep us dancing every single month
Just because these events happen regularly, by no means suggests they shouldn’t be shouted about. As a city we’ve got world-renowned speakeasies with talented jazz artists inside; we’ve got the streets lined with DJs and open mic nights, and performances every single day of the week inside venues that have more customers each year than Leeds Festival.
Keep reading to find our top picks for unique live music events you can find each month (or so) in Leeds.
The Domino Pub Quiz
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Where else can you take part in a music quiz inside a secret Jazz speakeasy?
Barbers by day, underground speakeasy by night, The Domino is a local favourite for a fun night out and now you can take part in a monthly pub quiz with a live band that combines the tongue-in-cheek humour; an incredibly talented trio of musicians and all the best bits of your usual pub quiz (drinks included).
When: Last Tuesday of every month from 8pm
Where: 7 Grand Arcade, Leeds City Centre, LS1 6PG
Tickets: £10 per person, recommended four people per team, bookings can be made directly withThe Domino here
Think of the most British songs you can name, with lyrics replaced with northern slag; some of the most talented local singers, guitarists, violinists and more
Northern Guitars is Call Lane’s answer to an early doors night out to kick the Monday blues: head down for Happy Hour drinks and then relax into the evening with acoustic sets, hilarious covers and remakes, as well as musicians from near and far. It’s a real escape from reality.
Swiftogeddon is the Taylor Swift night that fans continue to sell out every single time it’s in town. Taking place at Belgrave Music Hall every few months, the night comprises of back-to-back hits from the American pop sensation, and nothing else.
When: Friday 26 April / Friday 21 June 2024
Where: Belgrave Music Hall, Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds LS2 8JP
Anyone that’s worked their way up through the ranks as a performer in Leeds will be able to tell you about their first time at the Brudenell Social Club. Affectionately known as ‘The Brude’, the 400-capacity music venue is a jumping off point for artists big and small.
Recently Gene Gallagher (son of Liam Gallagher)’s band Villanelle ; The Last Dinner Party and Yard Act have performed here, and it’s been known to host secret gigs for the likes of Franz Ferdinand and the Kaiser Chiefs in the past. It’s a must-visit venue for anyone looking to find a new favourite artist.
If you find yourself travelling over from outside the city to visit Leeds, there’s a whole host of unique hostels, hotels and exciting staycation options to choose from.
You can find The Hoot’s top picks on where to stay in Leedshere.
Hannah Starkie -
12th August 2021 
