WHAT'S ON AT MANCHESTER ACADEMY, MANCHESTER
Manchester Academy is four independent venues all (almost) under one roof, located on campus at The University Of Manchester. The venues are Academy 1,2,3 and Club Academy. The original student union building was built in 1957, the Academy in 1990, with Buzzcocks being the first band to play there. Following a refurb, capacity grew to around 2600 for Academy 1, 950 for Academy 2, 450 for Academy 3, and 650 for Club Academy.
Manchester Academy attracts a varied wealth of local and worldwide artists, including Adele, Nirvana, Blur, Oasis, David Bowie, Bruno Mars, Inspiral Carpets, Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga. It is often referred to as one of the UK’s greenest venues, making substantial steps towards minimising environmental impact and improving sustainability.
Enjoy exciting shows, events, concerts and premieres at these four live music venues. Events to look forward to include Lucy Spraggan, Tinie Tempah, Katatonia, The Charlatans, Big Country, Ultimate Ozzy UK, and Franz Ferdinand. See what's on at Manchester Academy below and book tickets online.
Most Popular Shows and Events at Manchester Academy, Manchester
What's On at Manchester Academy, Manchester
The Slow Readers Club
Academy 1
Saturday 13 December 2025
Manchester's The Slow Readers Club deliver an energetic blend of driving drums and infectious guitar lines with evocative verses and anthemic choruses, imbued with their idiosyncratic brand of insightful and confronting lyricism, all set a...Pink By Vicky Jackson
Academy 3
Saturday 13 December 2025
Vicky Jackson's tribute to Pink has been a run-away success and has consistently been her most booked act since 2008. Whilst the Pink tribute show was not her first tribute act, Vicky found herself being compared both physically and vocally...Orange Goblin
Academy 2
Saturday 13 December 2025
Originally formed in London under the name 'Our Haunted Kingdom' back in 1995, celebrated UK metal greats Orange Goblin entered the world of heavy music as wide-eyed enthusiasts, eager to channel the fire & fury of their favourite bands. Em...The 30+ Club
Academy 2
Saturday 13 December 2025 - Saturday 11 April 2026
Love to dance but can't hack late nights? The 30+ Club reclaim the dancefloor for the over 30s, with the pop music, the atmosphere and bedtime to suit those who've 'still got it'. ...Orange Goblin Manchester Tickets
Duckwrth
Academy 2
Sunday 14 December 2025
Los Angeles rapper Duckwrth is best known for touring with Billie Eilish. ...CG5
Academy 3
Sunday 14 December 2025
YouTube sensation Charlie Green (CG5) is a prolific producer, singer/songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Phoenix, Arizona, influenced by '70s and '80s pop, and artists like Hall & Oates and Phil Collins. In 2014, Charlie launched C...CG5 Manchester Tickets
Big Country
Academy 2
Tuesday 16 December 2025
 Formed in Dunfermline, Scotland by the former-Skids guitarist Stuart Adamson and childhood friend Bruce Watson, Celtic-inspired Big Country quickly broke worldwide with their ringing, bagpipe-like guitars and anthemic songs helping their...Big Country Manchester Tickets
Neck Deep
Manchester Academy, Manchester
Wednesday 17 December 2025
The "biggest band you've never heard of" has stepped onto the world stage, but it won't be long before that adage is a distant memory. The Wrexham underground heroes turned breakout stars with three UK Top 10 albums continue carving out the...Spector
Manchester Academy, Manchester
Wednesday 17 December 2025
London quartet whose debut album Enjoy It While It Lasts mixed mingling 80s new wave with 90s indie rock, reaching number 12 in the UK Albums Chart and topping the Official Record Store Chart on the week of its release. ...Spector Manchester Tickets
The Clause
Academy 2
Thursday 18 December 2025
The Clause are an indie four-piece from Birmingham who bring together the swagger of the 60s, the rolling groove of the 80s and the riotous verve and attitude of the 90s. Pearce Macca (front man), Niall Fennell (drummer) Jonny Fyffe (bass...The Clause Manchester Tickets
Clutch
Academy 1
Friday 19 December 2025
While musical trends have come and gone since Clutch originally formed in Maryland, USA in 1991, they've always thrived by just sitting back and doing their own thing. Coming from American punk and hardcore influenced roots, they moved more...Toss The Feathers
Club Academy
Friday 19 December 2025
Manchester's most exciting Celtic export since Phil Lynott, legendary folk rockers Toss the Feathers are known for their contemporary blending of traditional Irish music with various music styles. Originally formed in 1987 after Dave Smylie...Arkayla
Manchester Academy, Manchester
Friday 19 December 2025
Bursting onto the scene with a string of captivating singles, Arkayla are tipped to be the next band added to a long list of brilliant musical exports hailing from Manchester. Drawing on the grit of The Strokes, the lyricism of The Smiths, ...Black Grape
Academy 1
Saturday 20 December 2025
Featuring Happy Mondays legend Shaun William Ryder and Ruthless Rap Assassins frontman Paul "Kermit" Leveridge, Black Grape could only have been made in Manchester. The swagger, fun and cryptic humour seem hewn from a city historian AJP Tay...U2MINDS - A Celebration of U2 and Simple Minds
Manchester Academy, Manchester
Saturday 20 December 2025
Expect powerful performances of classic tracks, delivered by some of the finest musicians around, in what promises to be a fantastic night of live music."...New Purple Celebration - The Music of Prince
Academy 1
Friday 9 January 2026
Formerly known as Purple Rain, New Purple Celebration celebrate the life, legacy and The Music of Prince, with their brilliantly funky show featuring world class musicians delivering a non-stop 2 hour hit packed extravaganza. Expect to see,...Born of Osiris + Attila
Club Academy
Tuesday 13 January 2026
US metalcore groups Born of Osiris and Attila announce a co-headline tour. ...Mariah the Scientist
Academy 1
Wednesday 14 January 2026
Mariah Buckles is a singer-songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia, whose 2025 single "Burning Blue" has accounted for one of the biggest R&B hits of the year. Thanks to the explosive launch of "Burning Blue," Mariah's meteoric rise to becom...Paleface Swiss
Academy 1
Thursday 15 January 2026
Switzerland's finest metal band. The guys from Zurich have destroyed everything that wasn't nailed down. Whether it was their last US tour as direct support for The Ghost Inside or the nearly sold-out tour with West Coast outfit Lionheart...Marcus & Martinus
Academy 2
Friday 16 January 2026
Marcus & Martinus, M&M, are a Norwegian dance-pop duo consisting of identical twin brothers Marcus and Martinus Gunnarsen. Since winning Melodi Grand Prix Junior in 2012, aged 10, they have won numerous prizes, such as Spellemannprisen in 2...Midnight Til Morning
Manchester Academy, Manchester
Friday 16 January 2026
With a rapidly growing fanbase across the U.S., Australia, and beyond, Midnight Til Morning - Conor Smith (AU), Mason Watts (AU), Shane Appell (US), and Zach Newbould (US) - are fast becoming one of 2025's breakout pop acts. Formed on the h...Cryptopsy
Manchester Academy, Manchester
Thursday 22 January 2026
Tapestry Promotions are proud to present:Cryptopsy?Celebrating 30 Years of None So Vile!Plus support:200 Stab WoundsInferiCorpse Pile...Ultimate Ozzy UK - A Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne & Black Sabbath
Academy 3
Saturday 24 January 2026
UK based Ozzy Osbourne tribute band, playing covers from Ozzys solo career and monumentous Black Sabbath back catalogue. ...Only The Poets
Club Academy
Friday 30 January 2026
With delicate guitar tones and catchy pop elements, the unsigned indie band from Reading were picked by One Direction star Louis Tomlinson to support him on his 2020 UK and European tour. ...Only The Poets Manchester Tickets
Bob Vylan
Academy 1
Thursday 5 February 2026
Bob Vylan are a two-piece band that mix punk, rock, grime, and rap amongst other genres, to create a unique style of poetical political music that speaks openly on a wide range of topics. After releasing their critically acclaimed album 'We...The Blue Stones
Academy 2
Thursday 5 February 2026
The Canadian blues rock band showcase an incredibly diverse palette of influence. Although they're a duo, it's unfair to limit the comparisons just to The Black Keys and The White Stripes. The weight of Led Zeppelin, the grit of Jimi Hendri...The Blue Stones Manchester Tickets
The United Kingdolls
Academy 1
Friday 6 February 2026
Starring Bimini, Tayce. A'Whora & Lawrence Chaney. It will be 5 years since the smash hit heard around the world - Bing Bang Bong - launched the United Kingdolls into Drag Race herstory. Now, the original foursome are back together on tour ...Sleaford Mods
Academy 1
Saturday 7 February 2026
Sprechgesang electro-punk duo Sleaford Mods pull no punches either live or on record and not one inch of their rhetoric - alternately cheeky and blood-and-guts, occasionally both - is inauthentic or posed. Thrown out of school and disdainfu...Ultimate RnB
Academy 3
Saturday 7 February 2026
A brand new, high quality tribute to some of the greatest music ever made. Ultimate RnB are a full 7 piece live band featuring session musicians and vocalists that have played with and supported some stone cold Soul legends, such as Jocel...Freddie Halkon Manchester Tickets
Ultimate RnB live in Concert return to Manchester.
Manchester Academy, Manchester
Saturday 7 February 2026
This isn't some karaoke night - three killer vocalists, a ridiculously tight band, and every RnB anthem you ever danced or fell in love to....SABA








