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.

Doja Cat

The "Queen of Pop-Rap", GRAMMY Award-winning L.A. rapper and global superstar Doja Cat is best known for the UK no.1 single and International chart topper "Paint the Town Red".

Kraftwerk

Led by founder Ralf Hütter, influential German electronica icons and their much-celebrated robots return.

O2 Apollo, Manchester
Fri 22 & Sat 23 May 2026.

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Blue

All Rise for the homecoming of Simon Webbe and his mates from Blue.

Sienna Spiro

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

Pixies

The 1980's Boston alternative rock legends have been cited by avowed fan Kurt Cobain as a heavy influence on Nirvana with "Smells Like Teen Spirit" a conscious attempt to co-opt the Pixies' style.

AVIVA Studios Hall, Manchester
Sun 23 & Mon 24 May 2026.

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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.

Christopher Cross

With his 1980 debut album and international hit "Sailing", the legendary Texan soft rocker became the first person in Grammy history to win the the “Big Four”: Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. He has also won an Oscar and a Golden Globe.

The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Mon 18 May 2026.

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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.

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Super Furry Animals

Burtsting on to the scene in 1996 and led by Gruff Rhys, Cardiff quintet Super Furry Animals are a musically eclectic band, incorporating pop, prog, punk, jungle, electronica, techno and death metal.

O2 Apollo, Manchester
Thu 21 May 2026.

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Tricky

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

AVIVA Studios Warehouse, Manchester
Sat 16 May 2026.

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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.
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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.