Live music in Manchester this week (22-29 Jun)

There are plenty of great gigs in Manchester over the next seven days, from the raw rock of Ty Segall to the Congolese rhythms of Mbongwana Star, via cosmic duo Happy Meals, the tear-stained pop of M83 and a great local all-dayer.

Feature by Jess Hardiman | 22 Jun 2016

We dive into the listings to bring you this essential guide to gigs in Manchester this week – plus tips on which gigs to book ahead for. Think we've missed something? Hit up jess@theskinny.co.uk with the details...

Thu 23 Jun

Kicking things off with a much-needed midweek music fix is Congolese group Mbongwana Star – whose Coco Ngambali and Theo Nzonza you may recognise from their days with Staff Benda Bilili. Signed to World Circuit, the group released debut album From Kinshasa last year – and the ensuing critical acclaim has led them to a busy summer touring their unique fusion sound, which combines traditional Congolese rhythms and European influences. 
Band on the Wall, 7.30pm, £14


Ty Segall

Meanwhile over at the Ritz, noisemonger and Fuzz frontman Ty Segall comes hurtling into town with his purpose-built backing band – The Muggers – in support of new album Emotional Mugger. The title is a reference to the internet's knack for screwing up how we're interacting with each other, and the new material heralds a stylistic move back toward Segall's noisier, garage rock roots – and for this live show, possibly with added baby masks. Erk. 
O2 Ritz, 7pm, £17.50

Fri 24 Jun

We were lucky to stumble upon Glaswegian synthpop duo Happy Meals at this year’s Sounds from the Other City festival, where they more than justified their 2015 Scottish Album of the Year nomination with their pounding European cosmic disco. This time, they're wielding Fruit Juice, the follow-up to debut Apéro. We are more than ready for round two (for a mere fiver, we might add), and in the meantime we’ll be revisiting our interview with them from last year. 
Soup Kitchen, 7pm, £5

Sat 25 Jun

Only Joking Records, Gold Soundz, Family Tree and Fuzzkill Records are teaming up and taking to the roof of Big Hands for a Rooftop Rumble All Dayer of live music. Alongside local outfits Beach Skulls, Fruit Tones, HUSH, Mold and Thee Mightees, you’ll also find further-flung talent from Stockton-on-Tees’ Girl Sweat, Glasgow-based The Bellybuttons, and garage punk group The Audacity, all the way from the USA. 
Big Hands, 3pm, £7

Elsewhere, Manchester-based ‘turbo-prog’ two-piece Cleft conclude their last ever tour this weekend with their final gig. Playing through their back catalogue, they’ll be joined by friends Alpha Male Tea Party and Body Hound. 
The Deaf Institute, 6.30pm, £6/£8

Sun 26 Jun


M83. Photo: Sonia Kerr

French electronic project M83 stop by this week to show off new album Junk, the band's first release without longstanding vocalist/keyboardist Morgan Kibby. Expect those signature, Anthony Gonzalez-led synthy soundscapes with which M83 found their groove. 
O2 Ritz, 7pm, £18.50

Tue 28 Jun

It was just over a year ago that jazz saxophonist and composer Kamasi Washington released his latest material. Aptly titled The Epic, this triple-album whopper united many approving critics in its extravagance. Having played alongside everyone from Snoop Dogg, Lauryn Hill and Nas to Thundercat and Flying Lotus, Washington has proven not only that his jazz is accessible and bang up to date, but also that he's one of the biggest names in the industry – something that'll be mirrored by the ambitious nature of what he's bringing to UK shores this week. 
Manchester Academy 2, 7.30pm, £15.50

Oh, and there are still tickets going for Lionel Richie's two dates at Manchester Arena, which, regardless of whether you'll admit it or not, you know you'll enjoy thanks to hit upon hit of dancefloor dynamite. Dancing on the Ceiling, Hello, All Night Long... this one's surely unmissable?! That's if you've got a spare 70-odd quid knocking around. Yeah, us neither. 
Manchester Arena, 28-29 Jun, 6.30pm, £46.30-£78.25

Now booking...


Warpaint. Photo: Oli Erskine

Summer may see a decrease in pace on the ol' gig calendar, but it does give you a chance to get ahead of the game and book yourself in for some big 'uns later in the year. 

Said big 'uns include offbeat Swedish psych-fusion collective Goat, who play Albert Hall on 22 October with a several-pronged support bill of equally enticing names including Hookworms, Jane Weaver, Mugstar and Andy Votel. Wow! October also welcomes ethereal art-rock quartet Warpaint, who'll play the same venue on the 24th.

And from international touring acts to one closer to home: Kendal's pop foursome Wild Beasts have also just announced their European tour, which follows a busy summer of festival dates. They head to Manchester Academy on 9 October.

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