Gigs to look forward to in 2024

Oasis, The Smiths, Joy Division, The 1975...us Mancs love our music. And, with a new year, comes new opportunities to see your favourite band live. With a plethora of music venues sprawled across the city, it's no wonder artists choose Manchester as a pitstop for their tours. 

Here are some of the best upcoming gigs in 2024.

JANUARY

Mud Morganfield

Son of legendary blues artist Muddy Waters will perform live at The Blues Kitchen, showcasing his endless knowledge of all things Chicago Blues.

Where: The Blues Kitchen
When: 16 January, 7pm
Price: £16.50
Tickets: dice.fm

Ladytron

Scouse band Ladytron will take their ever-evolving electronic tunes on tour, stopping off at Manchester's very own New Century to perform hits from their two-decade strong discography. 

Where: New Century
When: 26 January, 7pm
Price: From £34.79
Tickets: dice.fm

Adam Wakeman & Jazz Sabbath

Expect jazz interpretations of the iconic heavy metal band, helmed by Black Sabbath's very own Adam Wakeman.

Where: Band on the Wall
When: 30 January, 7pm
Price: From £18
Tickets: bandonthewall.org

FEBRUARY

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes

In the wake of their new album Dark Rainbow, set to be released at the end of January, the band will embark on their biggest headline tour yet. Hear all the fan favourites like Kitty Sucker and Crowbar as well as some never-before-heard-live tracks from the new album.

Where: Manchester Academy
When: 9 February, 7pm
Price: From £32.45
Tickets: livenation.co.uk

Enter Shikari

With seven studio albums, Enter Shikari are a hit with elder emos and younger moshers alike. Expect to be taken on a journey of their discography, with old hits and new favourites to discover.

Where: O2 Victoria Warehouse
When: 14 February, 7pm
Price: From £40.60
Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk

King Nun

Having recently released their new album 'LAMB', King Nun are hitting the road to perform those tracks live, straight into your earholes. It's bound to be a riot.

Where: YES
When: 20 February, 7pm
Price: From £12.32
Tickets: seetickets.com

Psychedelic Porn Crumpets

With a wild (and pretty raunchy) name and even wilder music, the Australian psychedelic rock band are travelling from Perth to Manc (and some other, less-important places) to take you on a trip.

Where: O2 Ritz Manchester
When: 23 February, 6pm
Price: From £21.30
Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk

MARCH

Stone

Stone are fairly new kids on the block, but don't let that fool you - they're still more than capable of selling out headline shows. Psst...that's your cue to get your ticket, stat. 

Where: Manchester Academy 2
When: 1 March, 7:30pm
Price: From £13.75
Tickets: manchesteracademy.net

Alestorm

What's better than metal? Pirate metal, obvs. Joined by folk metal giants Korpiklaani and Heidevolk, this voyage is bound to be full of mischief and mutany.

Where: O2 Victoria Warehouse
When: 5 March, 7pm
Price: From £13.75
Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk

King No-One

Indie rockers King No-One have filled more concert halls than they've had hot dinners since coming onto the scene in 2013. Bringing their exuberant stage presence and head-banging tracks, you'll be floored by just how much energy can be packed into one set.

Where: Gorilla
When: 15 March, 7pm
Price: £17.63
Tickets: eventim.co.uk

APRIL

Dream State

Headed up by powerhouse vocalist Jessie Powell, Dream State are set to play a punch-packing set at Canvas. Expect clean vocals, scream, and everything in between. 

Where: Canvas Manchester
When: 7 April, 7pm
Price: £17.25
Tickets: thecanvasvenues.com

The World of Hans Zimmer

Known for creating some of the most atmospheric soundtracks in film history, expect to see the musical genius arrange a brand-new selection from his diverse collection of scores.

Where: AO Arena
When: 7 April, 8pm
Price: From £70.50
Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk

Peter Hook & The Light: An evening of music and conversation

This intimate, 200-capacity event will raise money for Shout, the UK’s only free and confidential 24/7 text messaging support service designed to help those who are struggling and need in-the-moment support. Tickets will be allocated via balloting process. Find out more here. 

Where: The Star & Garter
When: 12 April, 6pm
Price: From £11.25* 
Tickets: skiddle.com

*Please note this is one ballot entry and not a guaranteed ticket.

MAY

Craig Charles' Funk & Soul House Party

Listen and dance along as Craig rifles through his extensive record collection to bring you the best bangers of past and present. 

Where: Albert Hall 
When: 4 May, 8pm
Price: From £33.45
Tickets: alberthallmanchester.com

Grey Daze

Phoenix-born band, Grey Daze are known for being one of the first bands Chester Bennington from Linkin Park fame started out in. The quartet will bring over 30 years of alternative rock music to Rebellion on 16 May.

Where: Rebellion
When: 16 May, 7pm
Price: From £22
Tickets: gigantic.com

Take That

Come on, everybody knows Take That. Need I say more? Love them or hate them, they'll be performing a long list of dates at Co-op Live this summer. 

Where: Co-op Live
When: Various dates from 7 May - 12 June, 6:30pm
Price: From £81.14
Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk

JUNE

Tool

Since forming in 1990, TOOL have won four GRAMMYs for their epic performances and recording style. Expect to hear over 30 years of progressive metal including all the hits like Schism and Lateralus. 

Where: AO Arena
When: 1 June, 7:30pm
Price: From £82.95
Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk

Richard Hawley

Considered one of the UK's greatest songwriters, Richard Hawley will take to stage at Manchester's O2 Apollo to perform hits and lesser known treasures for fans and soon-to-be fans alike.

Where: O2 Apollo
When: 12 June, 7pm
Price: From £41.35
Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk

My Son The Hurricane

A multi-horn, multi-drummer, multi-singer brass funk hybrid of a band, My Son The Hurricane are quite literally a tornado of sound. Expect to be wowed by this 12-piece enigma.

Where: Rebellion
When: 26 June, 7pm
Price: From £11.20
Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk eventim.co.uk

JULY

Antarctic Monkeys 

'Is that Alex Turner I see?' you ask. No, but you're not far off. Antarctic Monkeys are the UK's best tribute to the famous Sheffield band and, for a fraction of the price, you can just close your eyes and pretend you're at Old Trafford instead. 

Where: O2 Ritz Manchester
When: 6 July, 6pm
Price: From £23
Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk 

Sounds of the City: Hacienda Classical

Taking over Castlefield Bowl every summer, Sounds of the City is back with its feel-good offering of Hacienda Classical. Expect those same vibes from back in the good old days when the Hacienda club was thriving - just with a classical twist.  

Where: Castlefield Bowl
When: 13 July, 5pm
Price: From £55.45
Tickets: seetickets.com

Ten 

Melodic hard rock band Ten have released a whopping 16 studio albums since their formation in 1995. Fans can enjoy the best of their discography at this intimately-sized gig. 

Where: Academy 3
When: 13 July, 5pm
Price: From £16.50
Tickets: manchesteracademy.net

AUGUST

Live from Wythenshawe Park presents: New Order

Making their first full headline performance in three years, New Order will play a homecoming gig at Wythenshawe Park this August bank holiday. They'll be supported by non other than Johnny Marr (of The Smiths fame) and Róisin Murphy.

Where: Wythenshawe Park
When: 24 August, 2pm
Price: From £61.60
Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk

Live from Wythenshawe Park presents: Blossoms 

This all-day outdoor concert will see the Stockport lads headline, with support from Inhaler, Shed Seven, The K's, Seb Lowe and TTRRUUCES. Expect sunny tunes and (hopefully) sunny weather.

Where: Wythenshawe Park
When: 25 August, 2pm
Price: From £50.40
Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk

Niall Horan 

Everyone's favourite One Direction-er, (or is that Harry Styles? dunno) is playing Co-op Live, bringing his list of hits including 'Heaven' and 'Nice to Meet Ya' with him. But hurry - tickets are selling fast.

Where: Co-op Live
When: 27 August, 6:30pm
Price: From £52.50
Tickets: seetickets.com

SEPTEMBER

Goldie Lookin Chain 

The Welsh comedy hip hop group are heading over from Newport to perform their controversial (yet often hilarious) list of songs from the early 00s that satirise 'chav' culture. This one is bound to be a good laugh.

Where: Gorilla
When: 6 September, 7pm
Price: From £23.25
Tickets: eventim.co.uk

Elvis Costello & Steve Nieve 

Costello and Nieve have been collaborating for almost half a decade, appearing on 25 record albums together. But this will be the pair's first full-length UK appearance together in 20 years. It's one for the history books.

Where: Opera House
When: 8 September, 7pm
Price: From £75
Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk

David Essex 

Internationally renowned singer, composer and actor (is there anything David Essex can't do?), the OBE returns to Bridgewater Hall to perform his greatest hits like Hold Me Close and Burning Love. 

Where: Bridgewater Hall
When: 16 September, 7pm
Price: From £41.25
Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk

OCTOBER

In Flames 

Performing with Arch Enemy, Swedish heavy metal band In Flames are ready to rip the roof off Manchester Academy with their punch-packing tracks.

Where: Manchester Academy
When: 4 October, 6pm
Price: From £45.50
Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk

Becky Hill

British singer-songwriter Becky Hill embarks on her biggest headline tour to date, in support of her highly-anticipated second album. Expect hits like Remember and Crazy What Love Can Do. 

Where: AO Arena
When: 20 October, 7:30pm
Price: From £63.11
Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk

Beartooth 

The Ohio-based band are back in the UK this year, touring their fifth album The Surface. Frontman Caleb Shomo, known for detailing his struggle with mental health, highlights issues through an optimistic set of eyes with this new chapter.

Where: Victoria Warehouse
When: 24 & 25 October, 6pm
Price: From £42.45
Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk

NOVEMBER

Martin Kemp: Back to the 80s

After shooting to fame as the bassist of 80s New Wave band Spandau Ballet, Martin Kemp has become an actor, TV personality and now DJ as he takes to the stage at New Century to spin the biggest records of that decade. 

Where: New Century
When: 2 November, 6pm
Price: From £31.93
Tickets: dice.fm

Sepultura 

Calling all Sepultura fans - this is your last chance to see the band before they split. See them on their farewell tour as they stop off at Manchester Academy, joined by special guests Jinjer, Obituary and Jesus Piece.

Where: Manchester Academy
When: 8 November, 5pm
Price: From £43.45
Tickets: manchesteracademy.net

Nine Below Zero 

With a cult following across Europe, as well as a cameo in 80s British Sitcom, The Young Ones, the English rock band are still touring their music. 

Where: Gorilla
When: 9 November, 7pm
Price: From £34.50
Tickets: eventim.co.uk

DECEMBER

IDLES

Bristol-born punk band IDLES are back with their latest musical offering TANGK (set to be released in February). Known for his creatively anarchic lyrics and larger than life stage presence, frontman Joe Talbot is bound to whip the crowd into a frenzy at the O2 Apollo.  

Where: O2 Apollo
When: 6 December, 7pm
Price: From £35
Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk

Fat Freddy’s Drop 

The seven-piece band from Wellington, New Zealand, will be bringing their dub and reggae vibes for an energetic performance at Manchester Academy. Expect to hear all the favourites like Blackbird and Hope.

Where: Manchester Academy
When: 10 December, 7pm
Price: From £39.60
Tickets: manchesteracademy.net

Slipknot 25 Year Anniversary 

Masked metal band Slipknot are celebrating 25 years of savage songs and brutal breakdowns. Hear hits from their seven studio album discography at Manchester's new arena, Co-op Live. Just be sure to warm your neck up ready for the head-banging so you don't end up with whiplash.

Where: Co-op Live
When: 17 December, 7:30pm
Price: From £137.82
Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk 

Follow Harley Young on X @Harley__Young

Read next: Things to do in Manchester this January

Read again: The Big Interview: Peter Hook talks about Ian Curtis & his own musical journey

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