Picture this: It’s Saturday, the sun’s blazing, you’ve just cracked open your first beer and you’re off to meet your mates for the reunion of the decade.
The thought makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside. And providing things go to plan, this could be us as early as June 21. But before that, there’s a whole host of smaller and socially distanced events to tide us over.
Within the next few days we’ll be able to mingle outside in groups of six. By May, both indoor and outdoor socially-distanced music events could be in full swing. So, this is your sign to get the group back together. And to help you plan your reunion, here’s our guide to gigs and music events in the coming months – that feels SO good to say, by the way.
Social Avenue, Trafford Park, Stretford – Various dates
Image credit: Social Avenue
A massive hit last year, Social Avenue’s socially-distanced approach to clubbing returns to Trafford Park very soon – and with dates as early as May, it doesn’t even seem that far away. Despite a couple of events already selling out, tickets are still available for Darius Syrossian on 21 May, Yousef on 22 May and Eats Everything on 28 May – albeit running row. They’ve got two dates left to be announced so keep your eyes peeled for those as well.
This must be booked in groups of four, five or six as you’ll need to stick to your area. More details and tickets on Skiddle here.
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Social Circle, Victoria Warehouse, Stretford – Various dates
Brought to you by the people behind Social Avenue, Social Circle is the indoor version of the event: Same cracking little lineups and still socially-distanced for now, just set inside (and away from the Mancunian drizzle). Skream kicks off the new series on 21 May, with a number of events running through June too.
Same rules apply, tickets must be bought in groups of four, five or six and you all have to arrive together and stick to your table. Maximum two households per table.
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All the info and tickets can also be found on Skiddle here.
Hidden: The Reopening – 21 and 22 June (double header)
The usual antics at Hidden will resume on 21 June with a huge opening party planned, spanning two days and nights. They’ve got a massive list of local names set to play across the two events, including Luke Unabomber, Poison Ivy, Althea and Mystique.
Tickets are split into day and night options, with different entry times for each ticket. Final release night tickets are still available for Part 1 and whilst more are available for Part 2 it’s mainly group tickets, so round up your pals. And with it being on a weekday, you might wanna book the next date off work or risk having some explaining to do.
Another one on 21 June is South’s reopening which they’re aptly calling “A New Beginning”. They’re making the most of the big day as the event starts bang on 00:01 and runs until 06:00. We’re buzzing for the basement’s return.
SQUARE ONE, City Centre – Various dates throughout summer
Announced last week, SQUARE ONE is a brand-new open-air venue opening in June. There’s already a mega opening series of lineups which include Hot Since 82, Denis Sulta and Enzo Siragusa – all in an old car park off the Mancunian Way. Make sure you sign up for early access to new shows that’ll be added to their calendar soon.
Kaluki Summer Soundsystem, Victoria Warehouse Basement – various dates throughout summer
Manchester-based promotors and record label Kaluki is returning to its humble roots and heading back to basement parties for a special series of intimate events. There are some cracking lineups planned, including appearances from Ben Sterling, Archie Hamilton, Chris Stussy, Rich NxT and Alisha.
Tickets for the opening night on 3 July are already sold out and are running low on the rest of the nights too, so get them on Skiddle here quick.
Dr Banana B2B Interplanetary Criminal, Hidden – 9 July
On 9 July, there’s a big night of garage, jungle, grime and bass happening within the graffiti-covered walls of Hidden and we’re so ready for it. Dr Banana and Interplanetary Criminal take the headline spot but Oneman, Jossy Mitsu, Bailey Ibbs and Dr Dubplate will also provide the bassy soundtrack for the evening.
Belgian techno DJ and producer Amelie Lens will play Victoria Warehouse as part of her UK tour. She’s been tearing up the techno scene recently and we can expect more of her signature dark and thumping techno style on 10 July. She’ll be joined on the night by Airod, Blasha and Allatt.
“Techno marching brass band” MEUTE will appear at the O2 Ritz on 8 September as part of their UK tour. Their combination of brass band instruments with hypnotic techno beats creates a unique twist that makes the band unforgettable. It’s like nothing you’ll ever have seen before.
Iconic Manchester band New Order are taking on a mammoth homecoming show at Heaton Park on 10 September. It’ll be their first show in four years in their hometown as well, so not to be missed. They’ll have support from special guests Hot Chip and Working Men’s Club, too.
If you got Parklife tickets this week, congrats. The return to Heaton Park on 11-12 September sold out in record time in Wednesday’s presale without even making it general sale. But after everyone’s year off raving and a lineup like that, it was bound to happen.
Don’t give up just yet though, resale tickets might come available soon on the Ticketmaster website here.
Blossoms, AO Arena – 18 September
After having to reschedule their gig at AO Arena a couple of times now, Blossoms should finally play the Arena on 18 September for the Manchester leg of their forthcoming UK tour. All previous tickets remain valid for the new date, but if you’re without one, find some here including resale tickets. Be quick because these are running very low.
90s Baby Pop, Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Trafford Park – 18 September
For a massive night of 90s nostalgia, 90s Baby Pop is bringing together some of the most iconic pop artists of all time for the biggest throwback gig of the decade. We’re talking the likes of Peter Andre, Gareth Gates, S Club, Cheeky Girls, Blazin Squad, Atomic Kitten and East 17 all live in the flesh. I know.
This one is very close to selling out, with just 1% of tickets left. Grab them on Skiddle here.
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Further afield
Come April when we’re allowed to leave our local area with our household or support bubble, you might be interested in venturing out to see what our neighbouring cities also have to offer.
Crackle presents A Guy Called Gerald (live), 24 Kitchen Street, Liverpool – 3 July
Over in Liverpool, there’s an equally exciting selection of gigs and events popping up. Particularly this one at 24 Kitchen Street on 3 July. Manchester-born DJ and early member of the legendary 808 State, A Guy Called Gerald, will play a live set at the Baltic Triangle venue.
BassJam return with their iconic filthy drum and bass event on 24 July, with Macky Gee and CruCast members Darkzy and Bru-C. This one’s at Liverpool’s Hangar34 and will be on point with the carnage and signature high energy atmosphere.
Moxy Mu:zik presents Darius Syrossian, Mint Warehouse, Leeds – 26 June
The Moxy Muzik showcase at Mint Warehouse has fallen victim to serial rescheduling. But it’s looking like it could finally happen on 26 June. As it’s an old show, over 50% of tickets have already gone for this. A fresh batch go on sale on Friday 26 March though, if you want one.
Stay up-to-date with Manchester music and announcements via The Manc Audio.
Music
Five Manchester artists we’ve been listening to this month | May 2025
Danny Jones
Oh, hey, didn’t see you there. Come looking for more top Manc tunage, have we? You’re in luck, because Greater Manchester just keeps pumping out top bands and artists all the time, hence why we do this.
If you’re new around these parts, first of all, welcome and secondly, the whole thing is very simple: every month, we round up some of the best talents coming out of 0161 and talk about why we like them. I know, groundbreaking stuff, right?
They don’t have to be born and bred in Manchester, but they do need to have made this their music home – the first the correct career decision they made, the second being working their way into our ears.
So, now all the housekeeping is done and dusted, let’s dive into some delightful new Manchester music, shall we?
Five Manc bands and artists we’ve been listening to recently
1. IST IST
This month we’re starting off with one of those Manchester bands that may not be new but still crop up for us at regular intervals to remind us of two things: first of all, that they’re brilliant and secondly, that they should have featured on our regular round-up of artists a long time ago.
We’re talking about IST IST, who returned with another live, multiple LP-spanning compilation (plus some extras) this past March, which we’ve had on plenty over the past month. It goes without saying that they sound brilliant live, and we feel bad for only just remembering how good and prolific they’ve been.
You always get plenty of New Order, but also White Lies and Editors; Future Islands, The National and lots of other baritone-driven bands that bring that element of melodrama to layer over the instruments themselves. ‘You’re Mine’ might be their biggest track, but ‘The Kiss’ and ‘Exist’ are also favourites.
2. Robbie Cavanagh
Now, we all know that country music is having a real moment right now and we, for one, couldn’t be happier about it, to be completely frank. Though arguably simplistic at times, it’s soulful, often impressively pared-back, and when something does impress you lyrically or technically, it sticks.
With that in mind, we recently realised that award-winning songwriter Robbie Cavanagh has been on somewhat of a comeback since 2023, and we hadn’t noticed until painfully recently. Returning after a six-year hiatus – bar some little ditties during lockdown – his latest project has some of his best work yet.
Fully tilting from folk into country and folk, the stunning vocalist belatedly blew us away with the bluesy single ‘Helpless’ and a gorgeous new collaboration with solo artist, Abby Gundersen (equally talented sister of Noah), but please still start with his 2016 Mahogany Session, where it arguably all began.
Named after Manchester city centre’s famously eclectic indie emporium, Afflecks Palace have never quite blown up in the way they way we thought they would when we first came across them years ago, but there’s still plenty of time and we’ll be damn it if they don’t deserve more regular listeners.
You’ll also be glad to know that, despite the name, they aren’t one of those trite, overly performative bands who wear a stereotypical Manc-ness on their sleeve that we sometimes come across; they’re just good and deserve a lot more recognition for their contribution to the neo-pysch genre.
As for where to start, we’ll admit we prefer their first album; ‘Forever Young’ is noodley and catchy, ‘Everything Is an Attempt to Be Human’ has those shoegazey guitars, but it just doesn’t get better than the incomparable ‘Pink Skies’, which still makes us feel some type of way – we just can’t quite describe.
We just love it. ‘Nu-Madchester’, or whatever you want to call it, its distinct sunniness never fails to tickle a part of our brains.
4. Findlay
Next up is Stockport singer-songwriter Findlay, who released more new music this past February, and has been making indie pop that ropes in plenty of other influences for more than a decade now.
That being said, she’s always experimenting with her sound, as her collabs with Blossoms, Miles Kane, Bill Ryder-Jones, Joris Delacroix have shown, and this latest iteration seems to have her tapping into everything from almost 50s and 60s female soul singers to slow electronic and more.
We love the smooth sexiness and sheer ambition of her latest single, ‘Stay Kinky’ and ‘Waste My Time’ always feels like a late-night chiller fit for music video set in a dingey bar, however, we still have a soft spot for her debut, ‘Your Sister’, with the riff that’s almost reminiscent of ‘Blockbuster’ by Sweet.
Last but not least, it’s the second time we’re featuring a returning artist and it comes in the form of young Alex Spencer, whose journey from busking around the streets of Greater Manchester to sold-out headlines shows and featuring on the likes EA Sports FC 25 (yes, FIFA) is a truly remarkable one.
The charming and still fresh-faced local lad from Droylsden is nothing short of proof that hard work and determination can pay off, and those ‘Bucket List’ dreams really are within reach. Obvious talent aside, this teenager has grafted his arse off and we couldn’t be more proudof how far he’s come already.
He last featured in this round-up back in April 2024 but even in the time between then, he’s released plenty and developed even further as musician, so much so that we’re not going to suggest which songs to try; instead, you can watch our most recent interview with him and relive his last year or so with us.
I’m Alex Spencer and This is my journey so far!
8 years of my music journey summed up in 1 minute 55😅 Thankyou to everyone who’s followed my journey so far, to anyone new or to anyone who doesn’t know my story, I made this video to show where it all started and how I got here❤️ pic.twitter.com/Hi3W7MHMxX
So, the next time you hear someone foolishly complaining that the Greater Manchester music scene ‘isn’t what it once was’, you can go right ahead of show them these bands and artists.
In fact, you could just point them in the direction of this very page and Audio North, in general, as we do this round-up every month and plenty more every week, meaning you’re headphones never dry up.
For instance, you can check out which Manchester bands and artists we were listening to back in April, both new, current and old, down below. We’ll see you again very soon.
Parklife 2025 – dates, line-up, day splits, tickets and more
Daisy Jackson
Parklife is, hands down, the biggest party of the year in Manchester, luring tens of thousands of music-lovers to Heaton Park for two days of live music.
This year’s is shaping up to be the biggest in years, with huge headline slots from Charli XCX and 50 Cent, plus festival favourites like Bicep, Pawsa and Confidence Man.
With just a few weeks to go, festival-goers will be deep in their Parklife prep, whether it’s planning how to get there or what to wear all weekend.
Parklife is now releasing plenty of information about this year’s festival, including VIP upgrades, travel passes, and a few changes to the festival site, including new stages.
So we’ve rounded up a load of essential information you’ll need if you’re heading to the fields of Heaton Park.
When is Parklife 2025 and what times?
Parklife 2025 will be taking place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June, at Heaton Park.
Parklife gates open from midday on Saturday 14 and 1pm on Sunday 15 June. On both days the event finishes at 11pm.
Last entry to Parklife is strictly 5pm.
Who’s on the line-up for Parklife 2025?
It’s a whopping year for the Parklife line-up, pulling in two huge headliners – artist of the moment Charli XCX, and hip-hop heavyweight 50 Cent.
Next up will be performances from incredible talent like soul singer Jorja Smith, Parklife favourite Peggy Gou, Pawsa, Bicep, Overmono, Confidence Man, Hybrid Minds, Rudimental, and Chris Stussy.
There’ll also be slots for Mancs like Interplanetary Criminal, Antony Szmierek, and Morgan Seatree.
Sadly, one of the hottest names on the bill, Lola Young, has pulled out of the festival this year, but it’s still shaping up to be a massive weekend.
You can see the full Parklife line-up below.
How to get tickets, and ticket prices
Tickets for Parklife are still on sale, with decent availability for most ticket types – but they’re selling fast as the festival gets nearer and nearer.
Below are the prices for the main ticket options.
Weekend tickets – £164.45 each
VIP weekend tickets – £218.90 each
Saturday day tickets – £95.20 each
VIP Saturday day tickets – £137.50 each
Sunday day tickets – £95.20 each
VIP Sunday day tickets – £137.50 each
How much is a VIP or Backstage upgrade, and what does it get you?
If you’ve already bought a ticket but want to upgrade yourself to VIP, it’s not too late (and speaking from experience, WORTH IT).
You can upgrade your whole weekend to VIP for £72.80 each, or £44.80 each for day tickets.
The Parklife VIP area has jumped across to the other side of the festival site this year and is now right in the heart of the action near the Valley Stage.
From here, you have an exclusive viewing area of the stage, plus exclusive food and drink, priority entry, VIP toilets, a hair and makeup pamper station, and plenty more.
Then there’s a new Backstage ticket type this year, which gets you on-stage access to the Hangar stage, an exclusive viewing area of the Valley Stage, a backstage bar and a chill out area – it’s £165.00 each to upgrade for the weekend.
How to get to and from Parklife festival 2025, plus travel pass
Parklife takes place up at Heaton Park, so it’s a little way out of the city centre – but it’s a doddle to make your way up to the fields.
The festival still advises using the dedicated shuttle bus to get there and back, which is the quickest and easiest route.
The shuttle bus leaves from Lever Street in the Northern Quarter and will drop you right outside the festival site within about 30 minutes.
Alternatively, you can get a Bee Network tram to Bowker Vale or Heaton Park tram stops, and walk up to the gates.
As for getting home, buses will operate from early evening until everyone has safely left the festival site.
Trams will operate on their normal schedule but note that Heaton Park station closes at 9pm on both evenings, so that crowds can be safely managed at Bowker Vale instead.
There’s a special Parklife Travel Pass that allows you to travel on any bus or tram service including the shuttle bus – it’s £8 per day, or £14 for the weekend, and is available on the Bee Network app.
Parklife 2025 festival map and stages
There are some big changes on site at Parklife this year – including The Parklife Stage disappearing altogether.
Now, The Valley will act as the main stage, and there are two brand new stages to check out too.
Both Matinee and Big Top will be new this year.
Magic Sky will move a bit more centrally into the festival site, while the truly impressive Hangar stage dominates the western side of the event.
And at the top of the hill will be the small but mighty G Stage.
What you can and can’t bring to Parklife 2025
There’s strict security in place getting in and out of Heaton Park for Parklife festival, for everyone’s safety, and a long list of what you can and can’t bring with you.
You can bring your own water bottle on site with refill stations all over Parklife, but it mustn’t be larger than 500ml and can’t be metal.
You can also take sun cream as long as it’s 200ml or less and in original containers, and if the weather goes the other way, compact umbrellas are okay.
As for the banned list, it includes obvious stuff like alcohol, drugs, knives, aerosols and flares/fireworks, as well as less obvious things like hoverboards and skateboards, hi vis jackets and selfie sticks.
Hannah Starkie -
25th March 2021 
