July marks the official start of summer, as well as the launch of Sounds Of The City at Castlefield Bowl, which sees an incredible line-up of global artists from across the genre spectrum land in the city.
Lewis Capaldi kicked things off this week, and will be followed by the likes of Sam Fender, Pixies, Primal Scream and Hacienda Classical – but if you haven’t managed to bag tickets for these gigs, there are still loads of brilliant artists to catch this month.
Rock and Roll royalty, Roger Daltrey will perform his pioneering discography at the Apollo, The Prodigy return for their first gigs since the death of Keith Flint, and there’s also a candlelit orchestral tribute to Fleetwood Mac taking place at Manchester Cathedral this month, too!
Image: @_punkarty_
Pixies at Castlefield Bowl
Tuesday 5th July
American alt-rock heroes, Pixies are headlining Castlefield Bowl next week as part of Sounds Of The City 2022. Kicking off on Tuesday this week, Lewis Capaldi and Foals have already graced its stages, with the Pixies show due to be a celebration of tear-jerking classics from one of the greatest pioneers of gut-punching rock.
Image: @diegmuellerk
Slothrust at The Deaf Institute
Wednesday 6th July
On Slothrust’s latest album, bandleader Leah Wellbaum pushed herself to try and understand her own spirituality on a deeper level, putting a lens on the loneliness of humanity. The band’s live show is just as intimate and darkly poetic, with the band usually joined by a devoted crowd eager to hear the ethereal vocals of Wellbaum.
Roger Daltrey at O2 Apollo
Saturday 9th July
A true rock and roll legend, Roger Daltrey will headline the Apollo next Saturday! The show, which will comprise of a unique mix of music and conversation, is built around his iconic musical journey and encompasses nearly every style imaginable – including blues, rock, country, soul and metal. During the evening he will also dig into his incredible back catalogue pulling from his nine solo albums, album with Wilko Johnson and even reinterpreting a few Who classics.
Image: @ebar.photo
Kassa Overall at Band On The Wall
Tuesday 12th July
Kassa Overall is a jazz musician, singer, producer and drummer, who is a product of New York City’s jazz scene. Melding avant-garde experimentation with hip-hop production techniques he has tilted the nexus of jazz and hip-hop in unmapped directions, reflecting a panoramic musical background from West Coast G-Funk to the underground sounds of New York.
Image: emi-arts.com
La Luz at The Deaf Institute
Wednesday 13th July
La Luz has always been a band with a vision. Their discography balances heavenly and haunting sounds for a new breed of rock music that’s authentically their own. On their self-titled fourth album, the band fearlessly launched themselves into a new realm of emotional intimacy with a collection of songs steeped in the mysteries of the natural world.
Bright Light Bright Light at YES
Wednesday 13th July
Welsh-born, now NYC-based, Bright Light Bright Light AKA Rod Thomas’ sound is steeped in electronic pop and sparkling synth sounds. Merging elements of Elton John-inspired balladry with 90s house elements, his music is colourful and effervescent and his live show is just as electric. He’ll illuminate YES on the 13th July with his infectious energy as a true pop icon.
Fleetwood Mac Candlelit Orchestra at Manchester Cathedral
Thursday 14th July
Get whisked away to the tribute of your dreams with a candlelit Fleetwood Mac concert at the cathedral this month! The talented group of musicians from the Untold Orchestra will meld the sounds of strings, piano and percussion to create fresh renditions of many of Fleetwood Mac’s biggest hits. Located in a beautiful, candlelit setting, prepare to relive these most treasured Rock masterpieces as you’ve never heard them before.
Grey Lantern x STEAM Radio: GOMID and Sibz at Low Four Studios
Friday 15th July
Manchester promoter Grey Lantern is teaming up with STEAM Radio to bring the experimental rap/spoken word duo GOMID to Low Four for an intimate show, with support from Sibz and STEAM residents on Friday 15th!
The Prodigy
Tuesday 19th July
The Prodigy return to the stage for a run of live shows that coincide with the 25th anniversary of The Fat Of The Land. Their first set of gigs since the untimely death of Keith Flint. They’ll be hitting up Victoria Warehouse with what is sure to be an energetic and highly charged spectacle.
Prez T at Manchester Rebellion
Friday 22nd July
President T is a UK Grime artist, and a former member of Meridian Crew along with Skepta, JME, Big H, Pablo, Bossman Birdie, Dan and Lieutenant. Nowadays, you’ll find him making music as part of the Bloodline Fam collective. The artist was working on a mixtape called ‘Back Inna My Face’ which was due to be released in March 2007 until he took a break from the grime scene, and the mixtape was never released. After huge demand from fans, the mixtape was released for free download in February 2008 as an apology for keeping them waiting. He then returned in 2015 with the jaw-dropping album ‘Greatest to Ever Touch Down’ and more recently released single ‘Teachers Pet’, which debuted last year.
Francis Lung at Low Four Studios
Saturday 23rd July
Francis Lung is a singer/songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist from Manchester. He began writing and stockpiling music after the demise of his former band WU LYF in 2012. The unique brand of power pop featured on his recorded output spans genres as diverse as disco, soft rock and alt-country whilst gliding seamlessly between them.
Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King at The Blues Kitchen
Thursday 28th July
Evelyn “Champagne” King is the Grammy-winning vocalist who’s without question one of the disco world’s true icons. Throughout her storied career she’s notched up hits including 1978’s ‘Shame’, which was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame, and ‘Love Come Down’ and ‘I’m in Love’, both of which are perennial favourites on the dance floors of the world. The queen of disco will hit The Blues kitchen at the end of the month for a stripped-back evening of disco anthems!
