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Live Music Articles

Spotlight on Withington: the student scene south of Fallowfield

Spotlight on Withington: the student scene south of Fallowfield

A lot of people new to Manchester have yet to hear of the ideal student spot Withington — an underrated area for a fun day or night out
An autumn of music in Manchester: Five first semester gigs you can’t miss

An autumn of music in Manchester: Five first semester gigs you can’t miss

Music fans are being treated to a stacked schedule of unmissable gigs this autumn, as a genre-spanning array of artists are due to perform across Manchester’s many venues
The elusive history of Manchester’s Albert Hall

The elusive history of Manchester’s Albert Hall

What did the Albert Hall use to be? Take a walk into the often overlooked past of a Grade II listed veteran of the city’s historical Peter Street
Live Review: Frank Turner refuses to sit down and shut up at 3014th show

Live Review: Frank Turner refuses to sit down and shut up at 3014th show

Frank Turner’s 3014th show proves the Wessex songwriter to be a master of performance with a set filled by new material and fan favourites
Billie Eilish at Co-Op Live: Alt-pop mega-star hits Manchester hard and soft

Billie Eilish at Co-Op Live: Alt-pop mega-star hits Manchester hard and soft

Alt-pop sensation Billie Eilish brings her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour to Manchester’s Co-Op Live in the last of four exceptional performances
Over and Out: Jeff Lynne’s ELO at Co-Op Live

Over and Out: Jeff Lynne’s ELO at Co-Op Live

Jeff Lynne’s ELO play what turned out to be their final show at Manchester’s Co-Op Live as part of the Over and Out farewell tour
Live review: A breath of fresh Eire as Inhaler take on O2 Apollo Manchester

Live review: A breath of fresh Eire as Inhaler take on O2 Apollo Manchester

In a much-anticipated return, Dublin quartet Inhaler kick off night two of their Open Wide tour
Rebecca Black live in Manchester: An artist in her prime

Rebecca Black live in Manchester: An artist in her prime

In a brilliant show at Manchester’s O2 Ritz, viral star Rebecca Black showcases her career-redefining brand of electro-pop
The Dare live in Manchester: Indie-sleaze icon at risk of falling flat

The Dare live in Manchester: Indie-sleaze icon at risk of falling flat

The Dare returns to Manchester to perform a set filled with indie sleaze escapism, but is hindered by his own unbothered demeanour and a lack of true invention
Sam Fender stuns Co-op Live in a night of Geordie magic in Manchester.

Sam Fender stuns Co-op Live in a night of Geordie magic in Manchester.

On a cold Saturday night in the height of Storm Darragh, Sam Fender completed his run of two dates at Manchester’s Co-op live in an electric and emotional display. A short tram ride from the centre, climbing the stairs and moving over the bridge towards the venue, the Co-op live glistens in the cold air. […]
Big Society at Deaf Institute: A big success for the Manchester based support act Doad

Big Society at Deaf Institute: A big success for the Manchester based support act Doad

Indie rock band Big Society put on a brilliant performance at Deaf Institute with support from folk artist Doad
What became of the ‘Likely Lads’? The Libertines live at Albert Hall

What became of the ‘Likely Lads’? The Libertines live at Albert Hall

Returning to Manchester, the Libertines delivered as only they can, with a scrappy yet heartfelt set calling back to the indie sleaze era
Sports Team kick off their Boys These Days tour with an electric set at Club Academy

Sports Team kick off their Boys These Days tour with an electric set at Club Academy

Sports Team are once again in Manchester, this time turning the subterranean Club Academy into a sweatbox for die hard fans of their bourgeois rock
Stepping up or pricing out: Are gig tickets becoming too inaccessible for the average person?

Stepping up or pricing out: Are gig tickets becoming too inaccessible for the average person?

Over the past five years, a pastime once enjoyed by the general population, live music, has become more and more inaccessible – a once-in-a-blue-moon splurge as opposed to a consistently experienced hobby
Inside two of Manchester’s most iconic music venues: Gorilla and The Deaf Institute

Inside two of Manchester’s most iconic music venues: Gorilla and The Deaf Institute

Manchester boasts a host of incredible music venues. I spoke to staff at Gorilla and The Deaf Institute about the importance of grassroots venues
The Rat and Pigeon: the pub with a bit of everything

The Rat and Pigeon: the pub with a bit of everything

From the ashes of Manchester’s most infamous pub, rises The Rat and Pigeon, an independent pub that has a bit of everything
The Magic Gang live in Manchester: A magical farewell from the indie darlings

The Magic Gang live in Manchester: A magical farewell from the indie darlings

After announcing that they would be calling time on the band, Brighton indie darlings The Magic Gang bring an electrifying farewell set to Manchester’s New Century Hall
Has Covid killed live music?

Has Covid killed live music?

From excessive queuing and crowd arguments to throwing things on stage, it’s clear that concert etiquette is on the decline
Boogie on down to The Blues Kitchen’s all-new Friday happy hour

Boogie on down to The Blues Kitchen’s all-new Friday happy hour

£6 cocktails, free chicken wings and live music: The Blues Kitchen’s Friday happy hour is an offer you won’t be able to resist
Brief Encounter review: A charming, classic love story

Brief Encounter review: A charming, classic love story

Stellar performances, dreamy jazz and great dance sequences, it’s a story that will definitely warm your heart and keep you from the winter cold!