This long-running unadulterated funk and soul night takes place every Saturday night at Mint Lounge in the Northern Quarter and, in testament to its quality, always has a full house.
Billed by promoters as a ‘chronological history of soul’, its team of resident selectors will guide you through four decades of the very best soul, funk, disco and hip-hop with just a touch of smooth r&b.
This month sees Manchester party series WHP return for its 2022 season a little bit earlier than usual with a special joint live set from alternative, downtempo trip-hop stalwart Bonobo and shoegazing dream pop musician Caribou.
Running from 7-11pm on Friday 26 August, it’s just one of several August Bank Holiday weekend WHP events at Depot Mayfield.
One for the millenials and Y2k wannabes to enjoy alike, this poptastic Manchester club night delivers exactly what it says on the tin: non-stop chart hits from some of the biggest artists of the era.
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90’s Baby Pop will go one step further, bringing the likes of AQUA, Eiffel 65, Los Del Rio, Heather Small and B*witched to Manchester AO Arena for a stand-out live show with lashings of nostalgia.
American singer-songwriter Ne-Yo will play Bowler’s as part of a new worldwide tour that sees the ‘Let Me Love You’ singer land in the UK next month.
His first performance in the UK since 2016, fans can expect to see him perform new music from his eighth album, ‘Self Explanatory’, as well as some of his biggest hits.
If you’re looking to discover some weird and wonderful underground bands, you can’t do much better than Manchester Psych Fest.
Spread across some of Manchester’s best indie venues like Gorilla, YES and Deaf Institute, uncover everything from the spoken word absurdism of Dry Cleaning to the devastating folk of Skullcrusher at this all-day event.
Watch a 16-piece orchestra perform a special rendition of American artist Frank Ocean’s two biggest studio albums, Blonde and Orange.
Taking place at the Blues Kitchen over the August Bank Holiday weekend, expect to hear his neo soul and smooth r&b vibes to be taken to new heights courtesy of a full string section.
The man, the myth, the legend returns to Band on the Wall for a night of jazz, hip-hop, soul, funk and disco floor fillers on 12 August.
Macclesfield-born DJ Mr Scruff has been a legend on the Manchester scene for decades, and as his varied collection of fans can attest his eclectic range of selections never disappoint.
Manchester Carnival returns to Alexandra Park this month for its 50th anniversary, with a host of different stages (and street parties) spreading out across Moss Side.
Grime and bass music fans won’t want to miss the Chimpo X Bloc2Bloc stage, run by a group of south Manchester locals with an enviable collection of dubplates.
Manchester Art Fair unveils ‘biggest lineup yet’ ahead of return this weekend
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Art Fair returns this weekend, and it’s now unveiled its ‘biggest lineup yet’.
The countdown is on, as one of the UK’s largest and most significant art fairs makes its way back to Manchester this weekend, bringing more than 180 exhibitors together all under one roof.
Manchester Art Fair has gone from strength to strength since it first began back in 2008, as the annual event is now by far one of the most celebrated cultural events in Greater Manchester‘s social calendar, and is known and loved for bringing together hundreds of individual artists, galleries, and artist-led spaces to our city centre – with around 13,000 visitors attending each year.
Designed for the collector, the curator, and those who are just simply curious, Manchester Art Fair will feature lots of new and returning galleries and artists, all of whom will be showing new works.
From this Friday through to Sunday, Manchester Central will transform into the North’s biggest art gallery, where art enthusiasts can connect directly with galleries and artists and find that perfect piece to take home.
Some of the highlights include nationally acclaimed Manchester oil painter and artist, Chloe Cox, who is renowned for her powerful depictions of Caribbean heritage, as well as Brighton-based textile artist Corinna Wilson, known professionally as Bob & Eve, and sculptor and painter Jamie Frost, whose bold works explore the tension between strength and vulnerability in the human form.
Iconic names Porsche and Boodles will also be debuting at this year’s fair, fusing art with exquisite design are luxury brands.
But this year’s event isn’t just for art collectors, as visitors can also enjoy an extended programme of high-profile talks, immersive experiences, and workshops too.
Manchester Art Fair is making a grand return to the city centre this weekend / Credit: Manchester Art Fair
TV scriptwriter Joe Tucker, Guardian journalist Eddy Frankel, and Art Newspaper critic and correspondent Louisa Buck are just some of the names set to host talks and Q&As this weekend.
Workshops visitors can take part in from just £10 per person include the chance to explore the art of expressive contemporary still life drawings, or travel the journey from realism to abstraction to create your own abstract art with inspiration from one of Europe’s most influential artists, Piet Mondrian.
And on Friday 21 November, two chefs from North West Michelin-starred restaurants will be preparing bespoke menus for leading art buyers and collectors. Paul Leonard – Head Chef at The Forest Side – and Ollie Bridgwater – Executive Chef at the Gilpin Hotel – will be working with work with Exec Chef Matthew Hagan and his team at Manchester Central.
Speaking ahead of the fair’s return this weekend, Sophie Helm, who is the Director at Manchester Art Fair, said: “This year’s programme features an exciting breadth of names, many of whom will be joining us in person to share the inspiration behind their work and journey as an artist, including a number of UK and Northern firsts.”
More than 180 exhibitors will all gather together under one roof / Credit: Manchester Art Fair
Sophie described this year’s fair as a ‘clear statement of intent’
“Culture is a driving force for commerce and community in our region, reflecting the fair’s growing influence and its ability to connect contemporary art with premium yet accessible lifestyle experiences,” she concluded.
Manchester Art Fair 2025 will first open at Manchester Central with an exclusive preview night on Friday 21 November from 5-9pm, before it then continues on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November, with tickets still available to grab.
Tickets are priced at £12 for a day ticket, £15 for a two-day ticket, or £25 for a preview night ticket, including access throughout the weekend, all with booking fees applying.
The Darkness announce huge arena tour, with a Manchester date
Daisy Jackson
The Darkness have announced their largest headline tour in 20 years, and they’re heading straight to Manchester.
The British glam rockers will be performing seven nights across the UK, including the AO Arena.
The Darkness Band of Brothers Tour will include support from the Grammy Award-winning American country rockets Brothers Osborne, as well as UK rock band A.
Earlier this year, the band released their eighth studio album, Dreams On Toast, which has become their most successful album since their debut Permission to Land.
Permission To Land, which spawned the single I Believe in a Thing Called Love, has been revealed as the most successful British rock album of the 21st centiry.
They’ve been touring across Europe, Australia and the USA with their new music, and soon it’ll be time for their gargantuan headline tour.
The Darkness will be performing at Knebworth Park in support of Iron Maiden next summer, before The Band of Brothers Tour kicks off in winter 2026.
Frontman Justin Hawkins said: “Powerful rock was designed to be played in huge rectangular buildings. Huge rectangular buildings were designed to house powerful rock bands.
“The Darkness are a powerful rock band and the arenas listed below are huge rectangular buildings. Except for the exception which proves the rule. Thank you O2 Arena…
“In December 2026 this elegantly logical proposition will become a reality, driven by three bands consisting of seven brothers.
“Three of them are Perrys, from Lowestoft’s A. Two of them are Osbornes, from the Brothers Osborne. And two of them are my brother Dan and I.
“The Darkness, Brothers Osborne and A, veritable Bands of Brothers, rocking in a huge rectangular (or domed) building – what could be more powerful than that?”
The Darkness will play the AO Arena in Manchester on 11 December 2026, with tickets on sale from 10am on Friday 28 November HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
5th August 2022 
