Here we have another list of highlights from our ‘New Manchester Music’ playlist.
Amongst our favourite releases this week is a huge arena-filler from an emerging Manchester band, a track from Mike Dignam’s one-release-a-week project, and the perfect summer road trip anthem.
To listen to them all plus loads more new stuff – including last week’s top picks – head to our Spotify playlist here.
Rosellas – Before the Storm
Rosellas are back with a new track, ‘Before The Storm’.
Since being selected to support Shaun Ryder’s Black Grape at their London show a while back, Rosellas have gone from strength to strength. And with a string of plays from XS Manchester and support from Clint Boon on their last release, the lads have become well respected by the city’s scene.
Now, Rosellas return with another one to catch our attention. With the help of award-winning producer Oliver Shillito, ‘Before The Storm’ has turned out to be a hugely uplifting and atmospheric stadium-ready track.
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Naturally, the band take inspiration from the 90s Manchester bands they walk in the footsteps of. And since they cite The Stone Roses and The Verve as particular influences, you can definitely hear that familiar ferocity in ‘Before the Storm’.
Mike Dignam – Killer
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSKaSr1gOg4/
Soul-pop singer Mike Dignam has been very busy.
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In January of this year, the Manchester-based artist set out on a year-long mission to release a new song every Friday of 2021. And so far, he’s been smashing it, with a full music video to accompany each song, too.
Solid effort, Mike.
Now, he’s well past the halfway mark with this week’s track ‘Killer’, a collab with fellow northerner Liam Craig marking number 32 of 52.
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Singer-songwriter Liam spent some time away writing music for Emile Sande and Naughtyboy, and even touring with Little Mix. But now, he’s back doing his own thing and joins Mike with vocals over this neo-soul beat.
Patrick Saint James – Begging
Patrick’s music is known for its open and frank tone.
Manchester-based singer-songwriter Patrick Saint James was born with a hearing defect. Amazingly, he hears mainly through vibrations and has been using this to write songs ever since he was 15-years-old.
Typically, Patrick’s music falls within the pop genre with influences lying with the likes of Years & Years. He regularly draws on topics of destructive relationships and loves to tell personal stories from his own experiences, adding to his genuine and relatable character.
His new track ‘Begging’ is no different. It’s an up-close-and-personal account of the challenges he faces with bipolar disorder and explores themes of being accepted for who he is.
Recently Patrick signed to Lovers Music ahead of his debut EP which is to follow later this year. So, we can expect to hear more from the Irish-born singer very soon.
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The Covasettes – Before the Storm
The ‘Sun Struck’ artwork was designed by @carltai.
Indie-rock outfit The Covasettes have had an incredible couple of years. And with two sold-out shows this weekend alone, the boys are clearly doing something right.
The newest one from the four-piece, ‘Sun Struck’, gives off a lovely summer vibe, ideal for your road trip playlist.
Their previous tracks have received plays from BBC Radio and XS Manchester, and we imagine this one will follow suit, too.
StreamGM and The Manc have teamed up to show some some serious love and support to the region’s renowned theatres, nightclubs, and live-music venues with the launch of SeeGM – a digital campaign to shine a bright spotlight on many of the amazing events, club nights, gigs and shows in our region.
More artists added and stage splits confirmed for Neighbourhood Weekender 2026 lineup
Danny Jones
Two waves for NBHD Weekender’s 2026 lineup have now been officially confirmed, and Greater Manchester leads the way in terms of headliners, with local music legend Richard Ashcroft and Stockport’s finest, Blossoms, both already confirmed for the big slot on the main stage.
Now THAT is how you follow up a comeback.
Yes, Neighbourhood Weekender always promises a healthy dose of Northern acts on the lineup, including plenty of Mancs, scousers and others from Cheshire and the region at large, but to get two much-loved music artists from our boroughs topping the 2026 bill is an absolute treat.
With other noteworthy appearances in the Kaiser Chiefs, DMA’s, Jamie Webster, Example and many more on there already, it feels like next year’s festival is shaping up to be a potential all-timer, with a second wave of acts being added and the stage splits now set.
As you can see, the first pair of waves of the NBHD 2026 lineup includes returning crowd-pleasers like Shed Seven, Razorlight and The K’s, as well as other additions like rising stars Basht., Better Joy and North West favourites, The Kairos, as well as fellow Manc lads, M60.
Other acts that also caught our eye include our own natives like Arkayla, The Guest List, Luvcat and The Covasettes, just to name a few, as well as rising ‘Britainicana outfit’, Westside Cowboy, who just so happen to star on our most recent round-up of what we’ve been listening to.
In fact, there are a few past Manc bands of the month features on this lineup, not to mention more nearby names in Lucvat, The Royston Club, Keyside, Nxdia and so on, who are all well worth earmarking ahead of the stage splits being announced.
As for the headliners, indie heroes Blossoms need no introduction; nor does Wigan’s most famous musical son, with Ashcroft riding a real resurgence at the moment – he’s also one of our artists of the month, naturally.
In fact, confirmation of both Ashcroft and his Oasis Live ’25 support act partners, Cast, being booked for Warrington’s Victoria Park and the next NBHD Fest comes after the 54-year-old confirmed a fellow hometown band for some very big shows of his own.
This coming May Bank Holiday Weekend (Saturday 23-Sun 24 May 2026) is shaping up nicely, and we can’t wait to see what else is new to the festival site this year.
General admission tickets are already available, and new for this year, there will also be different payment plans via their website.
You can grab your tickets HERE. See you in the fields!
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)/Audio North
Music
Dispute over Manichester now ‘resolved’, say Mounfield family
Danny Jones
The family of the late, great Manchester musician, Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, have said that the drama surrounding the highly-anticipated tribute festival in his name, Manichester, has now thankfully been settled.
Now the focus can once again return to remembering him as best as possible.
Following plenty of talk about the project following his passing late last year, a live music festival honouring Mani was finally confirmed in March, and the reaction following the event’s announcement has been unsurprisingly phenomenal.
Well, at least for the most part, as there was also some confusion over whether or not Manichester was still a charitable effort as advertised, with son Gene Mounfield disputing claims online. Fortunately, it all seems to have been put to bed now.
On behalf of the boys, and as their legal guardian, I want to thank everyone for the kind messages and concern for their wellbeing. There was a misunderstanding regarding the upcoming Manichester tribute concert, but we’re pleased to share that everything has now been resolved. pic.twitter.com/j8jEMrFzsD
Being organised by Madchester.com and locally-founded fashion label, GIOGOI, the debut edition was said to have the total blessing of Mani’s family, including his brother, Greg Mounfield.
It was also said that the funds raised by the show would be going to the legendary Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassists’ twins, George and Gene, but the latter recently argued that “nothing” was going to either him or his brother and that the news was “dropped” the plans just a fortnight prior.
Gene also said that “if it was a charity gig it would be at Co-op [Live] or Heaton Park, and it would be done by SJM [Concerts]”: a Manchester-based promoters and events company.
All of this was also wrapped up in ever more paper talk and sensationalism, as some were reporting that Noel and Liam Gallagher, as well as other members of Oasis, would be surprising fans as the still yet to be revealed ‘major headliner’.
These rumours have since been quashed, as has whatever miscommunication caused the misunderstanding between the parties concerned, and we are now back to simply looking forward to seeing an already stacked lineup here in the city centre this May.
Damon Minchella of Ocean Colour Scene (a fellow bassist who also tours with Richard Ashcroft) is helping organise and will also be performing on the night itself. As for the surviving Mounfields, they went on to add in an accompanying Instagram post: “We would also like to express our gratitude to PH.
“It means a great deal to all of us that so many people loved Mani enough to give their time and energy to honour his memory in this way. We are genuinely touched by the support.
“It has been an incredibly difficult few years for the boys and for our whole family. We hope this event will bring some much‑needed joy and create new, positive memories for everyone who cared about him.
“With love and thanks – The Family”
It goes without saying that we can’t wait for this city and Greater Manchester as a whole to honour a Manc icon and are looking forward to another year celebrating the thing that never fails to bring us all together: music.
Hannah Starkie -
6th August 2021 
