Live music in Manchester this week: 21-31 Dec

We dive into the listings to bring you this essential guide to gigs in Manchester this week plus the latest news on festivals, tour announcements and more. Think we've missed something? Hit up jess@theskinny.co.uk with the details. 

Wed 21 Dec & Thu 22 Dec

Night and Day's Local Showcase still has another two bashes to go before the year turns in; on Wed 21 you can catch Lanterns, Zauwie, The Casablancas and Joebo, and on Thu 22 you can see Dome Hall, Ronald Raygun, Field Manual, Treason and Level 7 Event. Night and Day Cafe, 8pm, £6

Fri 23 Dec

[Pins. Photo: Alexander Bell]

The Night and Day bow out with their last live show before Christmas, welcoming a Pins and The Underground Youth supergroup, Machiine. They’ll be joined by Salfordian psych five-piece Lavender, Heavenly Records’ BRITAIN and lo-fi alt-pop act Eton Mess. Night and Day Cafe, 8pm, £5

Meanwhile, following the recent release of their new single Scream, over at Gullivers local glam-rock lot The Bright Black will be heading up Propeller Management's Christmas shindig to see out the year, with support from Lost Trends, The Maitlands and Hopper Propelled Electric. Gullivers, 7.30pm, £4-£5

[The Hallé, photo: Russell Hart]

And if there's any time to go classical it's Christmas, so head on down to the Bridgewater Hall where the Hallé are serving up a festive feast of music from the movies. Featuring tunes from Polar Express, White Christmas, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Babes in Toyland, Frozen, The Sound of Music, Harry Potter and Happy Feet, it's a good way to get in the mood for Christmas Eve Eve. Bridgewater Hall, 7.30pm, £21-£43

Wed 28 Dec

Oldham garage three-piece Gardenback throw an end-of-year party with their last gig of 2016, with a pay-what-you-want entry system; with all money donated going to Lifeshare, a charity working with homeless and vulnerable people in Manchester. The Castle Hotel, 7.30pm, £3-£5 suggested donation

Fri 30 Dec

Hailing from Darwen, Lancashire, synth-pop duo Pax and The Scarlet Field end their year on a high, playing their first official gig after releasing debut EP, Love, Hate & Curiosity, back in October. The Castle Hotel, 7.30pm, £3

[Horsebeach, photo: Gwen Riley]

Also waving farewell to 2016 are Niles Marr's Man Made with a special End of Year Party, where they'll be joined by hazy lo-fi dream-pop locals Horsebeach and Warrington shoegazers Danxia. Night and Day Cafe, 8pm, £5

Now booking:

For goodness' sake, why haven't you got your ticket for Stay Fresh Fest 2 on 28 Jan yet? Following last month's announcement of the first confirmed acts, polyrhythmic electronic outfit Strobes and Manchester party-smart punks Patty Hearst have been added to complete the line-up. They join The Orielles (recently signed with Heavenly Records), Luxury Death, Henge, Heavy on the Magic, Seize the Chair and MUMS on an action-packed bill. GET YR EARLY BIRDS HERE for a mere £8. C'mon, shake a leg.