Events to Attend in Manchester This Year

Most Mancunians, given the chance, will proudly inform you of their city’s rich musical heritage and abundance of top notch music events on offer seven days a week, three hundred and sixty five days a year.

From intimate shows in the trendiest and most atmospheric bars of the Northern Quarter, to the large scale Victoria Warehouse raves and the mass attended outdoor events held regularly at Heaton Park, there’s almost always something exciting happening with an event to appease the most niche of flavours.

Interested in what’s on in Manchester this year? Check out this impressive list of some of the best events taking place across the city, throughout 2020…

What: Sounds From The Other city

Where: Chapel Street in Salford

When: Saturday 2nd May

Salford’s Sounds From The Other City is a one day celebration of underground music culture, those who lovingly promote it and the community it resides over for one epic day in May.

Celebrating its sixteenth birthday this year, the festival will once again invite some of Manchester’s most prominent live music promoters to build an eclectic programme of live events, comprised of some of the UK’s most exciting new and emerging talents.

Stealing Sheep, Wu Lu and Strawberry Guy are amongst some of the many names already confirmed to appear at the event with more yet to be announced.

What: Kele – live

Where: Yes in Manchester

When: Wednesday 27th May

Bloc Party frontman and rhythm guitarist, Kele Okereke arrives in Manchester at the end of May to perform the legendary Pink Room, at one of the city’s favourite independent music venues – YES.

The talented musician, who will head out on tour this coming May after previously postponing the original run of dates to finish work on the new Bloc Party record, has enjoyed widespread acclaim for his most recent release, the politically charged 2042.

What: Toots and the Maytals – live

Where: O2 Apollo in Manchester

When: Saturday 30th May

Legends of reggae and ska, Toots and the Maytals may not be as commercially recognised as the likes of fellow Jamaican artists, Bob Marley and the Wailers but their contribution to music and the genre has been just as significant.

The collectives trailblazing sound on tracks such as Monkey Man and Pressure Drop led to accreditation on some of the most culturally important film and TV titles from the past four decades, including an addition on the Shane Meadows 2006 classic, This Is England.

Don’t miss your chance to see one of the original pioneers of reggae ska in Manchester this May.

What: Parklife Festival

Where: Heaton Park in Manchester

When: Saturday 13th June – Sunday 14th June

How does attending a festival without the associated faff of transporting four days of essentials and a tent, into the middle of what’s probably an already sodden field sound? Good? Then you should definitely check out Parklife.

The UK’s largest metropolitan festival returns to Manchester’s Heaton Park for a two day summertime party this June. Consisting of a myriad of outstanding performances from some of the most current names representing genres such as hip hop, techno, house, grime and more, across several unique stages, it’s not hard to see why the event has sold out for the past three years.

Get your Parklife tickets now to witness sets from the likes of Khalid, Disclosure, Tyler The Creator, Robyn, Skepta and many more.

What: Thom Yorke – live

Where: O2 Victoria Manchester Warehouse

When: Sunday 21st June

Accomplished singer-songwriter, film score composer, experimental shape thrower (See video for Lotus Flower) and all-round creative genius, Thom Yorke will make an overdue return to Manchester this June, appearing at one of the city’s most historic events spaces – the O2 Victoria Warehouse.

Showcasing his most recent work, from 2019’s largely celebrated ANIMA, together with a selection of favourites from throughout his career, Yorke will perform alongside members of Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes, longtime Radiohead collaborator and producer Nigel Godrich and visual artist Tarik Barri on a limited run of UK shows.

What: Lupe Fiasco – live

Where: O2 Ritz in Manchester

When: Sunday 7th June

A mainstay of modern day hip hop, legendary lyricist and rap monarch Lupe Fiasco will deliver a shot of nostalgia to his faithful, long standing Manchester fan base, at the O2 Ritz this June.

Rising to fame in 2006 following his debut, grammy nominated album Food and Liquor, the thirty seven year old Chicago born wordsmith has since continued to produce a series of acclaimed records, collaborating with some of most respected names in the genre, from the likes of Talib Kweli, Snoop Dogg, Ab-Soul, Ty Dolla $ign, Rick Ross and more.

Don’t miss your chance to hear Lupe performing favourites kick Push, Daydreamin’ and Superstar this year.