What's On Northwest 26 Nov-3 Dec: Lang Lang

Each week The Skinny team hand pick a selection of the best events from the Northwest cultural calendar to provide you with this here top ten guide to the most exciting goings on for the week ahead. From gigs, plays, and exhibitions, to spoken word, pop-up foodie events, and one-off film screenings, we give you the insider's guide to things to do in Liverpool, Manchester and beyond every Thursday morning.

Mythopoeia III: Legs
The Kazimier, Liverpool. Sat 28 Nov, 8pm

Stealing Sheep's final party at The Kazimier, Mythopoeia III sees the Liverpool trio perform a special set, entitled Legs. They'll also be joined by the superb Outfit, clearly trying to fit as many shows in at the Kazimier as they can before it ceases, as well as the similarly skewed Dutch Uncles, Nadine Carina, lo-fi group Joey Fourr and much more besides, all spilling out into the Kaz Garden and neighbouring Art Academy. Read our interview with Outfit from earlier this year.

Photo: Richard Manning

ATP Nightmare Before Christmas
Pontin's, Prestatyn. Fri 27-Sun 29 Nov, times vary

ATP Festival looks set to celebrate its umpteenth return with a rather fine Nightmare Before Christmas indeed. One of the breakout sensations of 2015, Courtney Barnett — interviewed by us earlier in the year — heads a lineup that also boasts the glorious fuzz of Thee Oh Sees, singer-songwriters Jessica Pratt and Natalie Prass, alongside much much more.

Photo: Marathon Artists

Dälek
Islington Mill, Salford. Thu 26 Nov, 7.30pm

Hailed by critics as risk takers and pioneers for a new generation of hip-hop, Dälek are back on the road in 2015 with a line up that features MC dälek at the controls, DJ rEk (original Dälek DJ) on turntables, and Mike Swarmbots on samplers and effects. They're supported by a pretty stunning bill too, with Mill favourite Charles Hayward and local electronica trio From the Kites of San Quentin (reviewed here) also on the lineup.

Funkademia's 20th Birthday
Mint Lounge, Manchester. Sat 28 Nov, 10pm

Club nights come and go in a flash in Manchester, so Funkademia deserves special praise indeed for keeping it up for two decades. Often the first stop in funk, soul and disco for many people, Funkademia's self-styled “chronological history of soul” brings in everyone from new students to the city, to hardened clubbers, many of whom have stuck with the night for its 20 year history.

Smog / Bill Callahan Tribute
Strange Brew, Manchester. Wed 2 Dec, 8pm

A night that's assembled some of the finest songwriting talents within Manchester to pay homage to American folk singer Bill Callahan (pictured). Artists including Jo Rose, Songs for Walter, Tekla, Irma Vep and Elle Mary & the Bad Men are all worthy of your time individually, but together you can expect a special evening that looks to stretch right back to Callahan's career beginnings performing as Smog in the early 90s. Read our interview with him about his Apocalypse tour.

Photo: Kirstie Shanley

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Kahn and Neek
24 Kitchen Street, Liverpool. Thu 26 Nov, 11pm

Two of the UK's brightest grime producers and DJs come to 24 Kitchen Street tonight, further cementing the Baltic Triangle hot spot's reputation as enthusiasts of the genre. Kahn has been finding joy in recent cuts on Mala’s Deep Medi label, while fellow Bristolian Neek has been garnering plaudits for his self-founded Bandulu label. Together they make for a pretty smokin' line-up.

Photo: James Gould

Sidekick Comedy
Via, Manchester. Mon 30 Nov, 7pm

Tucked away in Via on Canal Street, Sidekick Comedy has quietly been putting on rib-testing nights monthly for two years at a low, low price. Tonight's instalment features former Mr Leather contestant John Pendal – who regales us with a story of how a shy Baptist boy from Watford won the 25th annual International Mr Leather contest in Chicago in May 2003 – the sharp wit of Danny Pensive and surrealist Christopher Cantrill.

Photo: Bruce Haydn

The Queen
Liverpool Small Cinema, Liverpool. Sun 29 Nov, 7pm

Part of Homotopia's film programme, The Queen is a behind-the-scenes look at the Miss All-American Camp Beauty Pageant of 1965, taking place at a time where cross-dressing would still see you arrested. Andy Warhol was among the judges for this event, which director Frank Simon and Si Litvinoff (producer of A Clockwork Orange and The Man Who Fell to Earth) capture, transporting us into the rehearsals and dressing rooms as the queens prepare to shine on stage.

Molecular + Bonnacons of Doom
Liverpool School of Art, Liverpool. Wed 2 Dec, 7pm

A free evening of art and music at the Liverpool Art School sees local psych collective Bonnacons of Doom play alongside Molecular, side project of Enablers vocalist Pete Simonelli in a stirring double bill that'll be accompanied by art from the school's students. A roving ensemble of musicians, Molecular tonight will additionally comprise of Simon Goff (And the Wiremen) on violin, Sam Ospovat (Enablers) on drums, and Algis Kizys (ex-Swans, Of Cabbages and Kings) on bass.

Photo: alextronic

Lang Lang
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. Sun 29 Nov, 7.30pm

An appearance on the new Jean Michel Jarre album is just the latest note on the vast CV of one of the world's most recognisable and respected pianists, Lang Lang. In a special show at the Bridgewater Hall, he'll be performing Tchaikovsky's The Seasons Op.37 – one of three pieces this evening, alongside J. S. Bach's Italian Concerto in F and Four Scherzos by Chopin.