June is shaping up to be the biggest month of music Manchester has had this year, with the return of festivals like Parklife, Outbreak and Sounds Of The City at Castlefield Bowl plus some massive gigs.
We’ve got huge stadium shows by the likes of Coldplay and Arctic Monkeys, who’ll be performing on the same night.
Elton John will finally make his arrival on the live stage after his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour was delayed many, many times.
And then there are the smaller acts ready to take over stages like YES, New Century, and the Albert Hall.
Below we’ve selected some of our favourite Manchester gigs this June, which will be coming to a venue near you.
Coldplay – 31 May, 1 June, 3 June, 4 June
Coldplay are at Etihad stadium in Manchester this week. Credit: Publicity picture
What: Coldplay will finally touch down in Manchester this month for their long-awaited Music of the Spheres World Tour. The group, fronted by Chris Martin, will be performing a whopping four nights at the 60,000-capacity Etihad Stadium, home ground of Manchester City.
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Where: Etihad Stadium, Ashton New Road, M11 3FF
Support act: Chvrches and Porij.
Tickets: Keep checking See Tickets here for any last-minute releases.
Elton John is coming to the AO Arena in Manchester. Credit: Publicity picture
What: Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tour is finally set to arrive in Manchester this June after being rescheduled for health reasons, with three gigs at the AO Arena. It’s set to be his last-ever tour and has around 300 dates – so you can imagine what the demand for tickets has been like…
Where: AO Arena, Hunts Bank, M3 1AR
Tickets: Priced between £51 and £899 (that is not a typo), tickets are very much sold out, but you might be able to get some resale tickets. Keep an eye on Ticketmaster here.
What: Alex Turner and co will be back in Manchester this month for two massive shows. It’s part of their biggest-ever UK and Irish tour in support of their seventh studio album, The Car. You can expect to hear all their record-breaking hits like ‘I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor’ and ‘When the Sun Goes Down’, as well as newer material from their 20-year music career.
Where: Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground, M16 0PX
Support act: The Hives and The Mysterines.
Tickets: There are still a few tickets available for Arctic Monkeys – check See Tickets for the latest.
What: It just wouldn’t be summer without the absolute scenes that occur every time Courteeners play a hometown gig, so their Heaton Park show is right on schedule. The concert will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the band’s seminal debut album St Jude (which they’ll play in full), back in the city where it all began.
Where: Heaton Park, Middleton Road, Higher Blackley M25 2SW
What: Every year we say the same thing – it’s bigger and better than ever before. This year is no different, with a huge line-up spanning two days and headline performances from The 1975, Fred Again, and local lad Aitch. It’s easy to see why Parklife is one of the biggest festivals in the North, at a capacity of 82,500.
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Where: Heaton Park, M25 2SW
Tickets: Only Sunday tickets remain – check See Tickets for the latest.
Roger Waters – 10 June
Roger Waters.
What: He’s better known for being, as he would put it, the creative genius behind Pink Floyd, but 57 years after the band’s formation, Roger Waters is still going strong with his ‘This Is Not A Drill Tour’ sending him all over the world. Now he’s arriving in Manchester on Saturday 10 June and after his recent appearances in the news, we’re interested to see what he’s got up his sleeve…
Where: AO Arena, M3 1AR
Tickets: It’s very close to all sold out – check See Tickets for the latest.
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The Weeknd – 10 June
The Weeknd. Credit: Facebook
What: After completely selling out his After Hours til Dawn tour in the USA, The Weeknd announced a new leg across Europe and Latin America. We’ll have him for one night only.
Where: Etihad Stadium, Ashton New Road, M11 3FF
Support act: Kaytranada and Mike Dean
Tickets: There are actually still some tickets available, as well as resale tickets – but with prices starting from £247.35, they ain’t cheap.
Dope Lemon – 13 June
Dope Lemon.
What: Angus Stone has been making indie-surf-rock music under the pseudonym of Dope Lemon since his debut album ‘Honey Bones’ in 2016. He played at the O2 Ritz last year after the release of his previous album ‘Rose Pink Cadilac’ but now he’s returned, this time to the beautiful Albert Hall for a Tuesday night show on 13 June.
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Where: Albert Hall, M2 5QR
Tickets: Tickets still remain and are only £27.40 – check See Tickets for the latest.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – 15 June
Unknown Mortal Orchestra.
What: The New Zealand psychedelic rock band last played gigs in Manchester way back in 2018, a hefty FIVE years ago. Since, Unknown Mortal Orchestra have released their fifth studio album ‘V’ back in March, with them teasing it in 2021 with the release of the single ‘That Life’. It’s good to have them back in the music capital of the UK, it’s been a long time coming.
Where: Albert Hall, M2 5QR
Support act: Makeness
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Tickets: Some tickets still remain – check See Tickets for the latest.
What: Manchester post-punk band Soup! are making a storm in the underground music scene and are slowly but surely creating a name for themselves. They play their headline show in the basement of YES, Friday 16 June and if you’re looking for a new, young and exciting band to follow, these are definitely your guys (we’ve linked their latest single below).
Where: YES (The Basement), M1 7DB
Support act: Divorce Fiance and Vincents Lasts Summer.
Tickets: Priced at only a tenner, it’d be hard to say no – check See Tickets for the latest.
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Circa Waves – 17 June
Circa Waves.
What: They’re only from down the road and yet they haven’t had a headline show here in Manchester for three years. They released their latest album ‘Never Going Under’ at the start of the year and have been gearing up for this massive gig at the O2 Victoria Warehouse since.
Where: O2 Victoria Warehouse, M17 1AB
Support act: Courting
Tickets: You can still buy tickets, with the CD bundle also still available – check See Tickets for the latest.
Kurt Vile & The Violators – 19 June
Kurt Vile.
What: Indie-folk singer Kurt Vile returns with his band The Violators to the newly refurbished and recently opened New Century. It’s bound to be one of the coolest gigs in Manchester this June.
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Where: New Century, M4 4AH
Support act: King Hannah
Tickets: There’s still a bunch of tickets left costing £30 – check See Tickets for the latest.
Kelis – 21 June
Kelis.
What: Kelis fans new and old rejoice, as the international chart-dominating artist, best known for her songs Milkshake and Millionaire, returns to headline Manchester after a long nine years since her last show here.
Where: Albert Hall, M2 5QR
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Tickets: Tickets are still available – check See Tickets for the latest.
Goo Goo Dolls – 23 June
Goo Goo Dolls.
What: They formed in the 80s but found massive commercial success in the 90s as an alt-rock band, with their most popular song ‘Iris’ at one billion streams on Spotify. They’re still making music with their latest album dropping last year and they’re new tour finding them at the Academy on Friday 23 June.
Where: Manchester Academy, M13 9PR
Support acts: Those Damn Crows
Tickets: Tickets remain but will cost you £43 – check See Tickets for the latest.
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Outbreak Festival 2023 – 23, 24 and 25 June
Outbreak Festival 2023 Line-up.
What: Originating in Sheffield but finding its home in Manchester last year, Outbreak is a hardcore punk and alternative music festival taking place at Depot Mayfield where Warehouse Project is usually hosted. Massive acts will be headlining like Death Grips, Denzel Curry, Converge, and more.
Where: Depot Mayfield, M1 2PY
Tickets: Day and weekend tickets are still available – check See Tickets for the latest.
The Lathums (Sound Of The City) – 30 June
The Lathums. Credit: Ewan Ogden.
What: The Wigan lads recently released their latest album ‘From Nothing To A Little Bit More’ and will be celebrating in the best way ever, by headlining the outdoor venue Castlefield Bowl for Sound Of The City 2023.
Where: Castlfield Bowl, M3 4JR
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Support act: Sundara Karma and The Royston Club
Tickets: There are still tickets left but wheelchair and accessible seating have sold out – check See Tickets for the latest.
Featured image: Parklife 2022, Jody Hartley
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Review | We need Neigbourhood Weekender every year – and so does the North West
Danny Jones
Neighbourhood Weekender returned for 2026 this late May bank holiday, and after its second consecutive edition following an admittedly brief hiatus, we’re more confident than ever that we want this music festival on the calendar every single year.
Actually, we’d go so far as to say that lots of people around the North West and beyond NEED it.
We know plenty of people are understandably wary of potential hyperbolic declarations like that, but let us explain ourselves…
For starters, getting an opportunity to see the likes of criminally underappreciated Northern names like Richard Ashcroft playing the big slot on the main stage is a good place to start.
Many of you will have no doubt seen the Wigan legend on solo tours – not to mention serving as the pitch-perfect support act for Oasis’ reunion tour last summer – but topping the bill on Saturday night of NBHD Weekender 2026 served as yet more proof that he is, in fact, a headline act.
Maybe that changed a little for lots of people post-Live ’25, but his set was one of several over the course of the two-day festival in Victoria Park that served as a reminder of just how good lots of these long-standing acts both were and still are.
Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight, The Fratellis, Mel C, Shed Seven, and so on: they’re not just nostalgic acts that those of a certain generation get to enjoy as a throwback – they’re all still incredible, seasoned performers in their own right.
They boast a wealth of experience and aptitude for playing to live crowds that you only get by being very good at what you do for a long time. You only have to look at the countless youths who quickly realised they knew more choruses than they realised, and got to sample hearing them in person for the first time.
Strong crowds from 12 noon until curfew. (Credit: Audio North)
And then speaking of the younger, more up-and-coming section of the lineup, the next generation absolutely smashed it as well. Let’s just say there were more than a few rising stars on show.
Westside Cowboy are clearly at the start of something very special and got a healthy dose of shout-outs from punters on the day; Keo were as frenetic as everyone knew they would be, Brooke Combe was on top form as she has been every time we’ve seen her, and Cassia were class.
More Mancs rose to the challenge in the form of The Guest List’s biggest show yet, too – they were also left super humbled when we spoke to them afterwards – and fellow regional band The Royston Club were nothing short of excellent, simple as.
Hearing thousands belt out ’52’ and ‘Cariad’ at the top of their lungs was one of our highlights of the entire weekend, to be honest.
Of course, then you’ve got the likes of the already established DMA’S, who were absolutely box office and made it plain how much affection they have for “their second home” up here in this part of the UK, and Sunday’s headliners, Blossoms, have proven time and time again that they’re the real deal now.
But aside from banger after banger, it was a conversation we overheard near us during the Stopfordians’ set that helped us come to this revelation.
Somewhere between their walk-out on stage and the second/third song, a bloke and his mate behind us shared an intimate moment we felt almost rude for having accidentally eavesdropped on, right up until the point it made us well up ourselves.
Without going into too much detail, this very stereotypical-sounding Northerner dropped all pretence and confessed to his friend that he’d had a tough couple of months, and that he’d been looking forward to this for weeks – not simply because Blossoms are his favourite artist, but because he needed it.
Call it a release, that hour or so of sheer abandon, or just sharing a special music memory with his best mate: whatever it was, this evening was much more than a gig to him. People throw the phrase ‘lifesaver’ around about music a lot, and it never feels like an exaggeration in moments like this.
It was also apparent that he was a working-class Warrington native who was lucky enough for his postcode to help him afford to go to Neighbourhood Weekender and have this embrace with his pal, who was in an ideal setting to have perhaps a long overdue heart-to-heart. THIS is what it means to people.
Music is therapy, and when done in its purest form – i.e. played live to people who live and breathe the stuff – it can do more good than you’ll ever know.
Doja Cat at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
One of the 2020’s leading female artists, Doja Cat, is heading to the UK for a stop on her newest tour and has chosen to host it at Co-op Live in Manchester.
American recording artist Doja Cat is making her long-awaited return to Manchester and an arena debut, with this artist’s first and only visit to the city being back in 2024, headlining Parklife.
Heading to the UK as part of her Ma Vie World Tour, the California-born star is recognised for her spellbinding performances, extravagant outfits and array of UK Top 40 hits.
Not afraid to blend genres, Amala Dlamini, better known by artist moniker Doja Cat, has lent her voice to rap, hip-hop, pop, R’n’B, and now 80’s synths on her newest LP, Vie.
Gig guide | Doja Cat at Co-op Live, Manchester
Doja Cat is coming to Co-op Live in Manchester for one night of her Ma Vie Tour / Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)
Doja Cat UK tour dates
Sat 23 May – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Tues 26 May – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Fri 29 May – London, UK – The O2
Are there any tickets left for Doja Cat at Co-op Live?
Do you ‘Need to Know’ about grabbing tickets to see this multi-hyphenate performer live? Well, you’re in luck…
After seeing this iconic ‘Woman’ live on stage in Manchester? Well, if I’ve got your ‘Attention’, you can find tickets and more info HERE.
All you ‘Need to Know’ about Doja Cat’s Ma Vie World Tour in Manchester / Credit: Greg Swales (Supplied) / The Manc Group
Doja Cat setlist for 2026 UK tour
Lipstain
Cards
Get Into It (Yuh)
Kiss Me More
Gorgeous
Couples Therapy
Take Me Dancing
Woman
Acts of Service
Agora Hills
Make It Up
All Mine
Ain’t Sh*t
Paint the Town Red
Silly! Fun!
Juicy
Need to Know
Streets
Wet Vagina
WYM Freestyle
Demons
Tia Tamera
AAAHH MEN!
Boss B*tch
Stranger
Happy
One More Time
Say So
Jealous Type
What are the stage times for Doja Cat in Manchester?
Doors for Doja Cat’s Ma Vie Tour at Co-op Live in Manchester are set to open from 6:30pm with a kick-off time of 7pm from one very good warm-up act.
Supporting the rapper and performer on her UK and EU leg of the tour is alternative-r&b artist Naomi Sharon with singles like ‘Better Days’ and ‘Bittersweet’.
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live.
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Dean Hadcock -
31st May 2023 
