Manchester Theatre News & Reviews

The Best Manchester Gigs This Week

WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK CALENDAR

With over 4000 shows listed on Manchester Theatres, it can be hard to decide which show to go and see - as you will probably know if you are one of the 200,000 members who receive our Sunday night "What's on in Manchester over the next seven days" e-mails [subscribe here].

Additionally, you can also find our top theatre shows, classical concerts, comedy gigs and tribute shows here...

Our Top 10 What's on in Manchester Gigs This Week

Zayn

The multi-platinum selling Bradford pop star has enjoyed massive solo success since his One Direction days.

AO Arena, Manchester
Tue 12 & Sun 24 May 2026.
Tickets & More Info

Sienna Spiro

London star who integrates Jazz elements into her music with a considered blend of contemporary pop.

Mitski

With electronic drum pads pulsating underneath fervent guitar lines, the critically beloved Japanese-American indie folk singer-songwriter has enjoyed three Top 10 albums.

Jon Pardi

Multiplatinum Nashville country music hitmaker behind U.S. Country chart topping hits "Head Over Boots", "Dirt on My Boots", "Heartache Medication", "Last Night Lonely" and Beer Can't Fix" (with Thomas Rhett).

O2 Apollo, Manchester
Sat 16 May 2026.

Tickets & More Info

Tricky

The Bristol trip hop rapper who found fame with Massive Attack.

AVIVA Studios Warehouse, Manchester
Sat 16 May 2026.

Tickets & More Info

The Neverland Express + Caleb Johnson

The only show that was officially endorsed by Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman, this celebration of the legendary rocker by his own backing band stars American Idol winner, Caleb Johnson.

Clementine Douglas

The soulful Birmingham house singer who has scored hits with Calvin Harris, Sonny Fodera, Blessed Madonna and Chase & Status.

Chance Peña

Texas singer-songwriter who co-wrote John Legend’s “Conversations in the Dark”.

Nick Mulvey

The reliably brilliant acclaimed Cambridge folk artist, songwriter and a founding member of future-jazz stars Portico Quartet has come a long way - both experientially, musically and philosophically.

Will Young

The winner of the first ever Pop Idol in 2002 is now British pop royalty.

Reverend and The Makers

An intimate gig from Jon McClure's Sheffield funk rockers.

Gorilla, Manchester
Thu 14 May 2026 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Lucy Spraggan

Canterbury-born, Buxton-raised and Cheshire-living folk pop star who was the first contestant on the X Factor to perform her own compositions in 2021.

Machine Head

Influential San Francisco metal band.

Carly Pearce

Kentucky country star crowned 2018's Radio Disney The Freshest! Country Best New Artist winner.

Forward Motion

An open air house music clubbing event featuring SecondCity.

Erin LeCount

Essex pop singer who first rose to prominence after competing in the first series of The Voice Kids in 2017, where she reached the final.

M.O.P.

Brooklyn hip-hop duo Mash Out Posse are best known for their hits "Ante Up" and "Cold as Ice" which reached the UK Top 10 in 2001.

Ghosts of Garage - Todd Edwards

An outside clubbing event headlined by East Coast US club royalty.

Omar

The Chetham's School of Music-educated 90s neo-soul star celebrates 40 years in music.

Thomas Dolby

"Howard The Duck" film composer who came to prominence in the 1980s, releasing hit singles including "She Blinded Me with Science", "Windpower", "Hyperactive!", "Close but No Cigar" and "I Love You Goodbye".

The Dualers

9-piece Jamaican Reggae & Ska band from South-East London.

Karnivool

Aussie alternative and progressive metal quintet.

Heated Rivalry Club

A club night devoted to the queer ice hockey viral sensation.

Roberto Fonseca

the talented Cuban jazz pianist who appeared on the soundtrack of Will Smith's Hancock film.

Bassekou Kouyaté & Amy Sacko

The legendary Mali musician, the undisputed master of the ngoni, a traditional and historic small West African instrument somewhere between a banjo and a lute, is joined by his wife, the revered griot singer.