Manchester Theatre News & Reviews

The Best Manchester Gigs This Week

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 30 What's on in Manchester Gigs This Week

Hits Radio Live

This year's all-star party returns with another stella line-up.

Five

"Slam Dunk (Da Funk)" as, after 25 years apart, one of the most successful and iconic boy bands of all time are finally back together again with the return of Warrington rapper Jason "J" Brown.

Fatboy Slim

One of the world’s most renowned pioneering dance music DJs and record producers, Norman Cook has sold millions of records.

Parr Hall, Warrington
Sat 22 Nov 2025 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Tinie Tempah

An intimate comeback gig from the multi-Platinum chart topping London rapper on the same night he performs at Hits Live across town.

FAC51 The Haçienda

The Haçienda returns to Manchester for a huge all day stella line-up homecoming celebration taking over Warehouse Project.

Loyle Carner

Described by The Observer as "one of hip-hop’s most affecting new voices" and "a shining light for UK hip-hop" by Metro, .

Halestorm

The Pennsylvania heavy metal act became the first female-fronted band to win the Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance.

ABC & Southbank Sinfonia

A homecoming for Manchester singer Martin Fry and his Sheffield 80's pop rockers with the Soutbank Sinfonia to perform Lexicon of Love.

CMAT

A homecoming for Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, the North Dublin-born global country-pop star who after relocating to Manchester aged 17 formed the band Bad Sea before returned home to live with her grandparents and going solo.

Manchester Academy 1
Tue 25 Nov 2025 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Adam Ant

The return of 1980's pop icon and 'Goody Two Shoes.

My Bloody Valentine

Shattering the boundaries of genre and convention, the Dublin shoegaze pioneers emerged in the 1980s with a sound that felt like nothing before it.

Nicola Benedetti

Described by The Times as "The country’s favourite violinist", Nicola Benedetti performs romantic classics, virtuoso party pieces and even folk music from her native Scotland.

Ash

Platinum-selling, chart-topping Northern Irish rockers best known for their 1995 hit "Girl from Mars", as well as UK Top 10 singles "Goldfinger", "Oh Yeah", "Shining Light", and "A Life Less Ordinary".

Dodie

Dorothy Clark is a piano and ukulele playing folk pop singer-songwriter, author, and YouTuber from Epping, Essex, who reached no.3 in the UK album charts with her 2021 debut ‘Build A Problem’.

Cast

A major leader in the 1990's Britpop movement, the Liverpool indie legends were formed by The La's John Power and scored a string of Top 10 hits.

The Fray

Colorado pop rockers The Fray are best known for their multi-Platinum selling hits "How to Save a Life", "Over My Head (Cable Car)" and "You Found Me".

Turin Brakes

With characteristically robust pop melodies and spine-tingling harmonies, South London's Mercury Music Prize-nominated urban folk-pop act Turin Brakes have sold over a million records worldwide, including the UK Top 5 hit, in 2003, "Pain Killer (Summer Rain)".

Heaven 17

Sheffield new wave duo Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh left the original lineup of the Human League to go and enjoy massive success themselves with hits like "Temptation" and "Come Live With Me".

Reverend And The Makers

An intimate date from the Sheffield indie rockers famed for their 2017 hit "Heavyweight Champion of the World".

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.

English Teacher

Mercury Prize winning Leeds indie rock frontrunners whose UK Top 10 debut album This Could be Texas beat Charli XCX's Brat to the award in 2024.

Barry Can't Swim

Multi-faceted Scottish artist Barry Can’t Swim moves from deep house to jazz, from ambience to the percussive charge of afrobeat, all held together by his singular sense of purpose and trademark vivacity.

Hot Milk

Manchester emo power-pop duo continue to go from strength to strength.

Alessi Rose

Described by NME as the "Derbyshire Olivia Rodrigo", Derby indie pop rocker Alessi Rose began uploading videos to YouTube when she was 13 and has gone on to support Tate McRae and Noah Kahan.

Amble

3 piece contemporary folk based ensemble formed over a mutual grá for the music they curate.

tUnE-yArDs

California-based, experimental pop duo praised by The New York Times as 'confident do-it-yourselfers'.

The Lilacs

The Wigan indie band play their biggest Manchester gig yet.

Penguin Cafe

Avant-pop composer Arthur Jeffes follows in his father Simon Jeffes’ footsteps, and performs music from both the Penguin Cafe Orchestra repertoire alongside his own folk, classical, and minimalist Penguin Cafe material.

Christone "Kingfish" Ingram

The Mississippi Delta blues star has been described by Guitar World as the future of the blues, singing and playing with edge, verve and vitality.

The Chameleons

Two homecoming dates from Mark "Vox" Burgess's underground Middleton indie rock legends.

The Grand, Clitheroe + Albert Hall. Manchester
Thu 20 & Fri 21st Nov 2025.
Tickets & More Info

Lawrence

Led by brother-sister duo Clyde and Gracie Lawrence, a New York eight-piece soul-pop band famed for their single, “Don’t Lose Sight,” from the Microsoft advert.

DJ Premier + The Alchemist

Celebrating the history of hip-hop through their iconic beats. DJ Premier, known for his work with Gang Starr and his distinct jazz-infused style, will be joined by The Alchemist, who is recognized for his sample-heavy production and work with artists like Freddie Gibbs and Erykah Badu.

2Hollis

Los Angeles electronic/hip-hop artist who combines traditional Hip Hop components with jazz, blues, and soul influences.

South Arcade

Oxford pop punk act that has been compared to Pale Waves, Avril Lavigne, and Bring Me the Horizon.

The Guest List

A homecoming for the upcoming Manchester act who have shared the stage with big names such as The Wombats, Two Door Cinema Club, Blossoms and Inhaler..