Audio

Sounds of the City returns to Manchester this month

Dermot Kennedy, Snow Patrol and Kaiser Chiefs are all set to headline their own concert.

Hannah Starkie - 1st September 2021

Sounds of the City is finally back at its Castlefield Bowl home with bigger lineups than ever before.

The inner-city music concert series is taking over the open-air venue for six special gigs starting in just under three weeks-time.  

Since 2013, Sounds of the City has been bringing the UK’s most acclaimed artists right here to Manchester, making it somewhat of an institution here in the city.  

Over the years, they’ve treated us to one-off gigs from the likes of Arcade Fire, The Kooks, James, New Order, Rag’N’Bone Man and Catfish And The Bottlemen.

Yet this year’s comeback is set to be the biggest series to date. Huge names like Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, The Streets and Hacienda Classical will each headline a night.

But Irish powerhouse Dermot Kennedy is responsible for opening the show on 21 September. The fast-rising international star has already racked up more than 1 billion streams. Not to mention a Brit Award nomination for Best International Male. 

The singer rocketed to fame following the release of his debut album ‘Without Fear’ in 2019 which sat at #1 in the Irish charts for an astonishing year and a half.

The following day on Wednesday 22 September, the insanely successful Kaiser Chiefs will be heading up their own concert at the Bowl. 

With 21 years in the business, the band are still riding the peak of success with their seventh album ‘Duck’ hitting wide critical acclaim in 2019.  

The band will be supported by none other than Razorlight and Manchester’s own PINS. 

Wrapping up the 2021 edition on Sunday 26 September will be the Grammy, BRIT Award and Mercury Music Prize nominated Snow Patrol.  

Another band with decades of experience, Snow Patrol have accumulated more than 17 billion album sales, five UK Platinum Albums and more than a billion global streams over the years.  

They’ll have support from singer Lucy Blue, plus Wigan band The Lathums who have recently become the most talked about Manchester band. They’re pipped to become strong contenders for the city’s next big indie outfit. 

Their headline tour at O2 Victoria Warehouse sold out within a matter of days. Meanwhile the announcement of their debut album ‘How Beautiful Life Can Be’ has been met with much anticipation. 

Dates for Sounds of the City 2022 have already been set, too. This time, taking place earlier in the year across multiple dates in early summer.  

Foals, Crowded House and Lewis Capaldi are already confirmed to headline their own shows between 29 June and 6 July 2022.  

So with lineups of this calibre, now is your time to book! Click here for tickets.

Featured image: SOTC at Castlefield Bowl by Sam Neill