The start of a new month and another gigs round up! With festival season in full swing, August isn’t as jam-packed as others, but what it lacks in amount it makes up for in quality – as there’s some incredible bands and artists touching down in the city.
From Cate Le Bon at Albert Hall to a tribute to avant-garde pop icon, Kate Bush who has recently been brought back to life by Stranger Things, there’s plenty to fill your diary with. Manchester Pride takes place across the August bank holiday, too, featuring some of the UK’s very best LGBTQIA+ performers and DJs that will once again transform Canal Street.
And, finally, it’s that time of year again – the start of Warehouse Project! Kicking off a little earlier than usual, Bonobo and Caribou are joining forces to present a one-off joint headline performance that will see the critically acclaimed artists collaborate on a special full live show.
DIIV at O2 Ritz
Tuesday 2nd August
One of rock’s most fascinating bands, DIIV are back in the UK this month with a string of shows celebrating their influential legacy and brand-new EP ‘Sometime / Human / Geist’. The band formed back in 2011 and quickly established themselves as a breath of fresh air in the avant-garde art rock scene. Since then, they’ve gone onto influence a line-up of long-haired alternative indie aficionados that have subsequently set the scene of fire.
Curtis Mayfield Superfly 50th Birthday
Wednesday 3rd August
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Curtis Mayfield’s pioneering film soundtrack, Superfly, The Blues Kitchen will welcome The Untold Orchestra this week to honour the hits and get everyone up on their feet! The funk and soul classic contains some of the greatest tracks of the 70s, including; Pusherman, Freddie’s Dead and Superfly, which all feature to create a rare soundtrack in which the music well and truly outgrew the accompanying film.
Cami Layé Okún at NAM
Thursday 4th August
Cuban record collector, DJ and NTS resident Cami Layé Okún will be taking over NAM’s basement for this Thursday’s Lotus – a night dedicated to showcasing womxn DJs from Manchester and beyond. Cami collects vinyl records from all over the world as a way of sharing stories through music. Expect a diversity of rhythms from across the globe, from tropical to tribal, but always infused with a Latin touch.
Goldie at Joshua Brooks
Friday 5th August
Joshua Brooks has been at the forefront of Manchester’s burgeoning club scene since the early 90s, reportedly playing host to The Chemical Brothers’ first ever residency in the city. But this Friday another Manchester icon appears on its stage, as Goldie returns to his rightful home armed with his greatest jungle, garage and drum and bass hits. Since he burst onto the hardcore scene back in the mid 90s, his controversial career has garnered him a huge following of loyal fans, especially across the local Manchester scene.
Shindigger SHINGRI-LA at Adelphi Lads Club (Jenna G presents…)
Saturday 6th August
Starting this Saturday, Shindigger has collaborated with Adelphi Lads Clubs to host an incredible programme of DJs throughout August. SHINGRI-LA is Shindigger’s biggest event so far, and all of the summer day parties are 100% free to attend. The residency kicks off this weekend with an event curated by Jenna G featuring artists such the legendary Salford DJ and producer Strategy who was a member of the original Adelphi Lads Club as a young boy and has released an EP entitled ‘The Adelphi Lads Club’ in honour of the heritage of the venue itself, ensuring that the club remains a part of Salford’s history for years to come. Jenna G, Aletha, Lena C, and Mystique are also set to take to the stage for an all day party in Salford’s best sunny terrace which will continue late into the night.
Miche at NAM
Saturday 6th August
One of London’s most exciting young selectors, Miche, will be joining NAM on Saturday night, 7pm – 12am. The serial crate digger will be bringing his extensive collection – spanning across modern soul, disco, deep house and beyond – live and direct. His deep knowledge and enthusiasm for collecting and playing records means he holds close ties to institutions such as Mr Bongo, BBE and more. He has also hosted slots on Worldwide FM, Brussels’ Kiosk Radio and Red Light Radio, and appeared at Gilles Peterson’s We Out Here festival.
Eastern Bloc Live Sessions
Saturday 6th August
The first Eastern Bloc live session in a long while will be graced by three mixers and live performers currently at the top of their game. Ross Alexander, Ste Spandex and Cy Humphreys will be armed with some stellar selections that span everything from techno to house, soul and live electronic showcases for a sweaty 4 hour session in one of the city’s most iconic institutions. As always, it’s a fiver on the door.
MC Yallah, DEBMASTER and Tardast at The White Hotel
Sunday 7th August
A key member of the Nyege Nyege crew, MC Yallah is known for her quick fire lyricism and awe-inspiring stage presence, placing any onlooker firmly in her grasp. This show will be hosted by underground Manchester promoter, Grey Lantern on the outskirts of the city at Salford’s enigmatic White Hotel, a fitting place to hold one of hip-hop’s greatest futuristic talents. She’ll be joined by DEBMASTER, offering fierce dancefloor anthems and Tardast, an intriguing Iranian producer.
Mr Scruff at Band On The Wall
Friday 12th August
Manchester legend Mr Scruff will be heading back to his humble home of Band on the Wall on Friday 12th August, with a six-hour session of jazz, hip-hop, soul, funk, disco and deep house and techno, as well as a few surprises that might intrigue his diverse roster of fans! The Macclesfield born DJ has been spinning tunes across the city since the early 90s at the height of Manchester’s burgeoning club scene, and continues to grapple with complex genres and dancefloor fillers to this very day.
Cloudbusting – The Music of Kate Bush at Manchester Academy
Friday 12th August
Cloudbusting is the longest running tribute to pop pioneer, Kate Bush formed by UK-based musicians with a passion for bringing some of music’s greatest hits to life again on the live stage. Cloudbusting’s performance is an eye-catching spectacle which also features video projections and high-quality audio visual elements, reinventing and adding depth and drama to the songs we all know and love.
Bloc2Bloc & Chimpo presents at Manchester Carnival
Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th August
To celebrate 50 years of the carnival Bloc2Bloc & Chimpo are joining forces with Neuron AV and the UKs leading Undergorund Artists to take over a whole area of Manchester Caribbean Carnival.
Bloc2Bloc: Manchester Carnival After Party at Rebellion
Saturday 13th August
Manchester’s official carnival after party will tear up Rebellion, featuring a roster of local DJs playing the very best carnival reggae vibes and some chest rattling drum and bass. The line-up is still yet to be confirmed, but you can rest easy known Bloc2Bloc have some incredible acts in the pipeline. Free shots of rum will be available to those who arrive early and many gifts will be handed out throughout the night, too!
Cate Le Bon at Albert Hall
Thursday 18th August
Welsh musician and producer, Cate Le Bon has been a firm favourite of mine ever since her early enigmatic album ‘Me Oh My’. Since then, she has gone onto tour and work with artists including John Grant, St Vincent and Tim Presley. She returns to Manchester next year to tour her sixth studio album, Pompeii, which will be released on February 4th. “Pompeii was written and recorded in a quagmire of unease. Solo. In a time warp. In a house I had a life in 15 years ago,” Le Bon recalled in a statement. “I grappled with existence, resignation and faith. I felt culpable for the mess but it smacked hard of the collective guilt imposed by religion and original sin.”
This Paranormal Life at YES
Friday 19th August
Every week, comedians Rory Powers and Kit Grier try their hand at investigating some of the world’s biggest paranormal and unsolved mysteries to uncover the hidden truths of each case. They’ll be bringing the podcast live to the stage in a couple of weeks and you can expect the usual deep dive into a complex case complete with audience participation and live investigating, where pretty much anything could go wrong!
Breaking Barz at The Old Abbey Tap House
Friday 19th August
Celebrating the life and legacy of Manchester-born boxer Len Johnson, Sleazy F Baby, Ragoloco, Renee Stormz and Shoa & Meduulla will hit the city’s suburban boozer for a night of live music on the 19th of this month. Breaking Barz focuses on conscious music, local culture and making positive change in our community via a mixture of short talks from activists, a cipher, open mic and performances from local talent. £5 tickets are available on the door.
size?session Music Festival at Victoria Warehouse
Saturday 20th August
Kicking off this month, size? is launching a brand-new festival that brings together music and sneaker lovers for a full day of music from some of the hottest acts and musicians on the scene right now. Headlined by AJ Tracey, there’s little introduction needed, as the artist is clearly in his prime with chart-topping hits such as ‘Thiago Silver’, and he’ll be joined by Nines, Knucks and Miraa May, amongst other performers currently putting their own unique stamp on the industry.
mhaol at The Castle Hotel
Wednesday 24th August
The intersectional pop-punk band we’ve all longed for, Dublin-born mhaol’s music explores themes of feminism, gender constructs and relationships, which form a nostalgic nod to the work of Courtney Love’s Hole and the husky tones of Garbage. Off the back on 2021’s chaotic ‘Gender Studies’ EP, the band are returning to Manchester for an intimate gig at The Castle Hotel on Oldham Street.
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets at Band On The Wall
Thursday 25th August
Unearthed from the depths of Perth’s experimental psych scene, the bonkers Psychedelic Porn Crumpets have quickly become one of the hottest bands to burst out of the Aussie circuit. They’re a group that you wouldn’t be able to come close to cracking on guitar hero, with intricate fretwork and complicated riffs dominating their sound – and this hasn’t wavered in newest album ‘Night Gnomes’, which is a lively return from the long-haired sextet.
Smoove & Turrell at The Blues Kitchen
Thursday 25th August
Newcastle’s finest soul and funk band, Smoove & Turrell are putting on an intimate show at The Blues Kitchen at the end of the month. The band have risen to the top of the British soul scene since their debut back in 2007, which put them straight on the map as one of the leading contemporary funk acts in the North. They’ve since performed sell out performances and DJ sets across the country and been hailed by the likes of BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 2 and the one and only Nile Rogers.
Bonobo and Caribou at Depot Mayfield
Friday 26th August
Bonobo and Caribou will open this year’s Warehouse Project season, returning to the spectacular confines of Depot Mayfield with a one-off opening concert, which begins earlier than ever this year – across the August Bank Holiday weekend. The night will see critically acclaimed artist Bonobo perform a special full live show, alongside Dan Snaith’s Caribou, who returns to Manchester for this huge bank holiday doubleheader.
Riot Jazz at The Blues Kitchen
Friday 26th August
Hailing from Manchester’s unmatched creative scene, Riot Jazz was born out of a passion to spread love and enthusiastic energy across the nation. The nine-barrelled brass ensemble defies genres and performs an energetic live set that is the perfect match for Blues Kitchen’s downtown US aesthetic.
Moovin Festival
Friday 26th – Monday 28th August
Back once again for 2022, this year’s Moovin line-up features some of the very best cross-genre legends including; Sugarhill Gang, Orbital, Moodymann, Roy Ayers and Sister Nancy. The festival takes place at Whitebottom Farm in Etherow Country Park in the picturesque location of Compstall, which is just a 30 minute drive away from Manchester, and each devotes its line-up to eclectic acts that each year make the weekend unforgettable.
Solis at Gullivers
Friday 26th August
Ireland-born now Manchester-based artist, Solis aka Sarah-Louise captivates audiences with her haunting vocals and alluring melodies that give nod to artists such as Kate Bush and Jeff Buckley. Sarah’s finger is firmly on the folk-pop pulse and if you get the chance to see her live, her tear-jerking performance will leave you in awe of her profound, elegant charm.
The National at Depot Mayfield
Saturday 27th August
90s American Rock trailblazers, The National will perform a huge show at the home of Warehouse Project this month. Formed at the end of the millennium, the five-piece band are known for their low tempo garage rock that takes elements from traditional country and folk. The band’s extensive discography of honest and moody melodies has shaped a generation of leading sad indie bands, such as The Strokes and The Libertines.
High Hoops Pride 2022
Saturday 27th August
A weekend long celebration of queer love, High Hoops are bringing an all-day party to arguably Salford’s best beer garden, Adelphi Lads Club and carrying on the fun into the early hours at their rightful home of The White Hotel. Joined by D. Tiffany Michelle Manetti, Fafi Abdel Nour, Kim Lana, Club Rush, Aiden Francis and Marjai with more still yet to be announced, this is the only utopian club that mashes together all of music’s greatest genres for an inclusive celebration of the city’s creative scene.
Bright Eyes at The Apollo
Wednesday 31st August
Bright Eyes tug on the heart strings of every sad indie kid who desperately tried to play the acoustic guitar but didn’t get any further than The xx’s ‘Intro’. The band’s music is melancholic, but turned the tides of the indie genre and cemented the band deep in the hearts of anyone with a sweeping fringe circa 2000. Now with 10 studio albums under their belt, the band are still touring to sold out crowds worldwide.
