With word from Boris that clubs can finally open from Monday 19 July in what’s being dubbed as ‘Freedom Day’, what better way to spend your first week out of lockdown than in a different club each night of the week?
Bit ambitious? Maybe, but it has been a while.
Either way, we’ve taken the opportunity to plan out our perfect week of club nights anyway. Here’s our pick of bunch from 19 – 25 July to celebrate getting our music scene back on its feet. All tickets are available on Skiddle as we speak and selling fast.
A bassy Levelz reunion on Monday
How about starting the week off with Levelz’s Lockdown Lift-off at Mint Lounge on the big day itself?
Get ready for the usual Levelz crew consisting of Skittles, Chimpo, Chunky and the rest of the lads there, providing bars and beats for an atmosphere they definitely won’t let you forgot. They’ve been gunning for this night for 16 months since their last visit to Mint Lounge in March 2020 – and so have we.
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If you had tickets to the rescheduled June date, they’ll roll over. Otherwise, last remaining tickets are on Skiddle here.
Three floors of music with THREEDOOM on Tuesday
When Hit & Run took over WHP in 2019. Image: gbmultimedia/IG
Three of Manchester’s biggest student nights will come together under one roof at Factory on Tuesday 20. Hit & Run, Ghosts of Garage and Lean & Bop will join forces to provide three floors with three different genres of music.
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For Hit & Run, we’ll have drum and bass heaters from the likes of Poison Ivy and Mystix alongside Truthos Mufasa and Sparkz, and the B2B from Sabrina and Kira will be their Manchester debut.
Representing Ghosts of Garage will be Hit & Run’s own Rich Reason, ThtGrl, Warped DJs, Offbeat DJs, Area 808 DJs and Emanate Audio DJs, with T-Man on the mic.
And on the final floor, resident Lean & Bop DJs will provide some grime, hip-hop and RnB sounds, joined by DJ Yami.
Urban music platform Origin will take over the Northern Quarter’s Off The Square on Wednesday 21. The team is renowned for showcasing the very best emerging hip-hop and RnB talent from the city – and this latest Origin event will be no different.
Manchester powerhouse Motto Estate are set to headline. The nine-strong collective represent a variety of backgrounds, making their music all-embracing and rich in different cultural and social influences.
It’ll all be hosted by radio presenter Emma Rose, with support from Dunamis, Ace Cxbain and Webbo to complete the lineup.
For a more groove-fuelled evening, get down to Stage & Radio for ‘Out The House’ on Thursday for local lads Mandalo. The Manchester DJ duo have family ties to fellow Mancs Solardo and now being signed to the Sola label we can only expect the same success for this pair.
For their own productions, Mandalo merge their wide range of dance music influences – including 808 State and Jamie Jones – to craft their own sound. As for their DJ sets, just know your feet will be sore by the end.
There’ll be music from 7pm from CAIT, DJAAL, Boy Sean, BabaNoot as well. So, you might as well get down early. Skiddle still has tickets for this one here.
Feel-good disco vibes at The Bread Shed on Friday
Presented by Antwerp Mansion, the acclaimed Discopia returns on Friday 23 July, back and bigger than ever. Bring in your first weekend of freedom with the funky house and disco sounds of Dom C. Taylor, Wallace and DJ Ray for a bit of music escapism. Expect to hear everything from Purple Disco Machine and The Shapeshifters to Fat Boy Slim and Mella Dee to put you in the party mood. Good vibes only.
An empty Joshua Brooks as the new team prepare for a huge refit ahead of the club’s relaunch. Credit: Joshua Brooks
You might have seen that Joshua Brooks is back and under new ownership. With this, a complete overhaul and redesign of the club inside and out – and you’re in for a treat.
Its relaunch features a double-header weekend of big names. On Friday 23, Darius Syrossian will return to Joshua Brooks with his Moxy Musik event which has been at South in recent years.
But on the Saturday, house legend Mark Knight will round off the opening weekend. You’ll be in good hands with the Toolroom Records bossman. He knows how to fill the dance floor with the best house music around. It’ll be an all night long set so strap yourselves in.
Originally planned for 17 July, the Jika Jika Presents Denis Sulta party at the brand-new open-air venue Square One has been rescheduled to Sunday 25 July.
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Sulta is known for his enigmatic energy behind the decks. Plus he manages to pull off the most random of selections in his mixes. You won’t want to miss this one.
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Featured image: Factory Manchester. Thumbnail image: The Bread Shed
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Kendal Calling reveals fantastic 2026 lineup, including Biffy Clyro, Wolf Alice, The Kooks and more
Danny Jones
The lineup for Kendal Calling 2026 has been officially revealed in full, and let’s just say the list of headliners alone is absolutely box office.
It feels like we say this every year, but this could be one of their best to date.
With the likes of Scottish rock legends Biffy Clyro (after years of courting them), Mercury Prize-winning Wolf Alice, as well as indie veterans The Kooks and Two Door Cinema Club topping the bill on the main stage, next year’s Kendal Calling is shaping up to be a tasty one.
Next summer will mark the 21st year of the annual music and arts festival, and after a wonderful 20th anniversary edition in 2025, we have every faith the KC crew are going to nail it yet again.
Announcing a total of 120 acts – yes, this lineup is already STACKED – the roster is packed with everything from timeless indie stalwarts, Northern favourites, some pop surprises and plenty more.
For instance, we were genuinely buzzing to see not only the one and only Scissor Sisters, but also Gabrielle, and even noughties throwback, Vanessa Carlton.
We’re now hoping and praying she doesn’t pull out and quite literally travels ‘A Thousand Miles’ over to the Lake District.
After making their own comebacks this year, the likes of The Libertines, Deaf Havana, Hard-Fi and several others have joined the lineup, which is spread across more than a dozen stages, including non-musical acts and other bits of live entertainment.
We were very much spoilt for choice for our favourite festivals this year, but you only have to read our review of ‘KC20’ to know how much it meant to be there.
You can see the Kendal Calling 2026 lineup poster down below.
‘26's Adventure Revealed! 🙌 Like & RT for your chance to win VIP upgrades, boutique camping & a £200 bar tab!
Biffy Clyro, Wolf Alice, Two Door Cinema Club, The Kooks, Scissor Sisters, The Libertines & more head to the Lakes! pic.twitter.com/HoI0qpgrxQ
If you look closely, you can also see that there’s a special guest slot thrown in there, too, though we’re stumped as to even the slightest hint of who it could be.
We’re sure you’ll have your theories and guesses in the chamber already, but let’s just say that after seeing how well they’ve done with surprises in the past, we cannot wait.
Commenting on the drop, co-founder Ben Robinson said: “I’m so excited to reveal next year’s line-up! Our brilliant team has secured a line-up worthy of the jaw-dropping faith the Kendal Calling family puts in us each year.
“Selling 98% of the tickets before announcing a single artist is the biggest compliment we could ever receive, so here’s an early Christmas present to say thank you!”
Like the man said, most full weekend passes have already gone, but if this lineup tickles your interest, you can still register for the final release of Kendal Calling 2026 tickets right HERE.
Featured Images — Press shot (supplied)/Audio North
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Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics is returning to Manchester next year
Clementine Hall
IconicDJ and radio presenter Pete Tong MBE is making his way back to Manchester with a whole host of guests ready to help you dance the night away.
Known for his live radio shows such as the ‘Essential Mix’ on BBC Radio 1, Tong is bringing back his widely successful Ibiza Classics club night to Manchester with an equally impressive roster of guests.
The ‘Ibiza Classics’ concept originated and debuted back in 2015 with Tong and co. taking on Royal Albert Hall as part of BBC Radio 1’s Proms schedule, paying homage to the island’s infectious anthems.
Since then, the English DJ has built a music event bigger than he could have ever imagined, and after a milestone year marking the 10th anniversary of the acclaimed Ibiza Classics show, Pete Tong has announced a brand-new run of UK arena dates for 2026.
Some of Tong’s notable releases include ‘Where’s The Music Gone’ and ‘Apocolypse’, alongside some very respectable dance music artists.
Other tracks to his name include ‘You Got The Love’ and ‘Time’, both collaborations with Jules Buckley, one of the famous faces you’ll get to see on this special Ibiza Classics tour.
The seven-date arena tour kicks off in Glasgow’s before heading to Manchester’s AO Arena on Friday 4 December 2026.
He will also be playing in Leeds, Birmingham, and Nottingham, culminating the tour with two huge nights at The O2 London.
Ibiza Classics Live 2026
Thursday 3 December – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
Friday 4 December – Manchester, AO Arena
Saturday 5 December – Leeds, First Direct Bank Arena
Wednesday 9 December – Birmingham, Utilita Arena
Thursday 10 December – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
Friday 11 and Saturday 12 December – London, The O2
He will be joined by long-standing collaborators Jules Buckley and The Essential Orchestra.
This night is expected to be filled with pure dance hits, and based on recent shows, there might even be appearances from even more musical talents and special guests.
Pete Tong, Jules Buckley, and The Essential Orchestra are bringing Ibiza Classics to AO Arena on Friday 4 December 2026.
Hannah Starkie -
9th July 2021 
