What's On
Live music finally returns to Castlefield Bowl with Dermot Kennedy, Kaiser Chiefs, Snow Patrol and more from Sounds of the City
It will be the first series of concerts at Castlefield Bowl since 2019
Manchester’s iconic Sounds of the City open-air gig series is back this month, and it’s boasting one hell of a line-up.
Since 2013, Sounds Of The City has become an integral part of the Manchester music scene with some of the most acclaimed live artists taking to the stage from the likes of Kylie Minogue, Chic, New Order, Arcade Fire, The Kooks, The Wombats, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Last Shadow Puppets, Pixies and Courteeners.
And now, after sadly being cancelled last year due to Covid-19 restrictions, Sounds of the City is finally making its long awaited return to Castlefield Bowl where an impressive selection of artists will be taking to the stage across the course of the week.
First up on Tuesday September 21st will be international star Dermot Kennedy, who is also gearing up for his biggest tour this autumn which includes two sold out dates at Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse.
Dermot, who has over a billion global streams under his belt with hits such as ‘Power Over Me’ and ‘Outnumbered’ is regarded today as of the most accomplished Irish artists of his generation.
And taking to the stage on the second night on Wednesday September 22nd will be the Kaiser Chiefs, one of the most successful British guitar bands of the millennium. The rockers released their seventh studio album ‘Duck’ in 2019 to wide critical acclaim and, nearly seventeen years into their career, the band are still hitting new artistic peaks. The band will be joined by special guests Razorlight and trio PINS.
Thursday September 23rd will see Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott headline, whilst Friday 24th will host The Streets. On Saturday it’s Hacienda Classical and finally, on the final concert of the week on Sunday September 26th, the mighty Snow Patrol will take to the stage.
Snow Patrol have carved out a unique place for themselves within the music industry – since their 1998 debut, ‘Songs for Polar Bears’, the band has racked up an impressive number of critical and commercial accolades, including seventeen million global album sales.
Joining Snow Patrol are The Lathums and Lucy Blue. The Lathums recently announced their debut album ‘How Beautiful Life Can Be’ and sold out their own headline show at O2 Victoria Warehouse for November in a matter of days.
Tickets can be bought HERE.
Here’s the lineup in full:
Tuesday September 21st – Dermot Kennedy plus special guests.
Wednesday September 22nd – Kaiser Chiefs and Razorlight plus special guests Razorlight and PINS
Thursday September 23rd – Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott
Friday September 24th – The Streets plus special guests The Skinner Brothers
Saturday September 25th – Hacienda Classical plus special guests
Sunday September 26th – Snow Patrol plus special guests The Lathums and Lucy Blue
What's On
The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Get in the festive spirit!
Get in the festive spirit with a brand new FREE Christmas makers night market, with over 40 traders and small businesses from across the region.
Brought to you by Renaker, the Manchester Made Christmas night market is coming to New Jackson, Deansgate Square from Friday December 6th to Sunday December 8th.
Following on from a successful summer market in May, the Manchester Made Market is returning bigger and better than before but with a Christmassy twist.
Manchester Made Market
Expect a ‘cosy and magical’ Christmas night market experience, with food, drink, live music and even a grotto for visits to Father Christmas.
There’ll be Christmas trees galore, glittering with lighting, with one huge show-stopping tree taking centre stage.
Bringing together over 40 artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region, the three-day event will showcase a plethora of food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Manchester Made Market
Visitors will be sure to find unique Christmas gifts that support local businesses, including from The Cole Men and their award winning sauces, Moon & Sixpence’s handmade jewellery, and fine art photography by Craig Barker.
There’ll be live music from a 20-piece choir, playing Christmas classics, cocktails from Manchester Gin and Gooey’s sweet treats.
The experts from Millington Hall Farm in Altrincham will be bringing a taste of their Wild Grill experience, including live sausage making demonstrations and an array of German sausages served from a festive BBQ trailer.
Manchester Made Market
Families with children can visit the Christmas grotto, where Father Christmas himself will be waiting in a cosy tipi – kids will get a gift from Santa, and bookings can be made online for £8.50 per child.
Manchester Made Market will be open from 4pm to 9pm on Friday December 6th, and 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th – pre-register for a free guest list ticket and 50% off a hot chocolate HERE, or book the Christmas grotto HERE.
What's On
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Get in the festive spirit in Stockport!
Stockport’s free, one-day Christmas festival is returning this festive season, with 200 performers and more than 50 shows.
Spectacular Sunday will return to the town on November 17th at various sites and venues.
Following the success of last year’s event, hundreds of performers will take over Stockport, with everything from giant roller-skating presents to a living snow globe and roaming Christmas dolls.
There will also be street theatre, including grumpy Christmas grandads, a gigantic balloon man and water show.
Matthew Nichol Photography
Produced by carnival arts organisation Global Grooves and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement.
Events will be happening in iconic Stockport locations like Market Place, Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock and Suffragette Square.
A grand finale in Merseyway will bring together the brass bands of Stockport, ending the day with a huge flash mob and rendition of All You Need Is Love.
Cirq Delight
Cllr Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said: “We’re so excited to bring this event back after last year’s amazing success.
“It’s such a fun way to get everyone in the festive spirit and really shows off what makes Stockport special – our sense of community and joy.
“With loads of free performances and activities, plus a chance to enjoy the newly improved areas of Merseyway, it’s a perfect day out for families.
“Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday is all about having fun, making memories, and starting the holiday season in style.”
Spectacular Sunday is happening from 11am to 5pm on Sunday November 17th – find out more HERE.
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year next month, bringing with it a vibrant gallery space showcasing thousands of works from over 500 artists.
One of the biggest and most significant events in the UK art world calendar, it’ll take over Manchester Central for three days, from Friday November 15th to 17th.
The city will be flooded with art from all corners of the world, championing everything from local heroes to new emerging talent, as well as international artists with worldwide acclaim.
Manchester Art Fair
A wide range of artistic disciplines will be represented at the event, from painters, illustrators, and sculptors to graffiti artists and everything in between.
Expect exhibitions, workshops, Q&A sessions, demos, book signings and parties happening across the event.
Tickets include free access to art workshops and talks from leading artists and cultural experts, and are on sale now.
You can grab them HERE.
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The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Simmons Bar opens first Northern site in Manchester with free drinks at launch party
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year
