JAMES | Manchester Arena | Friday 13 May
James’ 'Girl at the End of the World' tour comes off the back of its namesake album, which reached number two in the Official UK Album Charts. The Manchester-born rockers - responsible for hits like Sit Down and She’s a Star - will be joined by Jack Savoretti and fellow Mancunians, The Slow Readers Club.
Manchester Arena, Victoria Station, Hunts Bank, M3 1AR (6pm; tickets from £42.30 at eventim.co.uk)
LAURA MVULA | Gorilla | Wednesday 18 May
Ahead of the release of second album Dreaming Room, Laura Mvula visits Gorilla to perform new tracks like People, ft. Wretch 32, and Phenomenal Woman. The soul singer won a clutch of awards for 2013 debut album Sing to the Moon, including two MOBOs and Best Female Act at the Urban Music Awards.
Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth Street, M1 5WW (7.30pm; tickets from £16.50 at gorilla.seetickets.com)
Laura Mvula
BUSTED | Manchester Arena | 21 May & 3 June
We know, we know, but you’ve got to have a bit of cheese sometimes right? After an eleven-year hiatus, pop trio Busted are reunited, giving fans the perfect opportunity to relieve their misspent youth. They didn’t think it’d happen either, which is why the tour is called ‘Pigs Can Fly’. And yes, the one with the eyebrows is back.
Manchester Arena, Victoria Station, Hunts Bank, M3 1AR (6pm; tickets from £43.80 at eventim.co.uk)
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN | Etihad | Wednesday 25 May
The Boss and his E Street Band are hitting Manchester following the release of The Ties That Bind: The River, a four-disc album which celebrates the 35th anniversary of Springsteen’s 1980 classic, The River. This latest offering includes the 22 outtakes from the original album, half of which had never been previously released.
Etihad Stadium, Ashton New Road, M11 3FF (4pm; tickets from £83 at ticketmaster.co.uk)
Bruce Springsteen
AC/DC | Etihad | Thursday 9 June
Rock legends AC/DC are making a comeback, bringing Guns ‘n’ Roses’ Axl Rose with them to replace Brian Johnson as vocalist. Expect a long list of successful hits like Highway to Hell and Thunderstuck from the You Shook Me All Night Coachella headliners. It’s time to Rock or Bust.
Etihad Stadium, Ashton New Road, M11 3FF (4pm; tickets from £71.50 at eventim.co.uk)
DR JOHN COOPER CLARKE | Albert Hall | Friday 10 June
Dr Cooper Clarke’s performance poetry is a refreshing antedote to an age dominated by manufactured sugary pop, meaningless, ill-thought lyrics and KardashiaJenneroids. The ‘Bard of Salford’ will be treating Albert Hall to plenty of bite, satire, politics and a good dollop of humour as part of his summer tour.
Albert Hall, 27 Peter Street, M2 5QR (7pm; tickets from £31.35 at alberthallmanchester.com)
Dr John Cooper ClarkeM83 | The Ritz| Sunday 26 June
M83 are best known for their hit Midnight City, known to reality TV fans as the Made in Chelsea theme tune, and received a Grammy nomination for their sixth studio album, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming.
The Ritz, Whitworth Street West, M1 5NQ (7pm; tickets £21 at ticketweb.co.uk)
THE COMET IS COMING | Soup Kitchen | Wednesday 22 June
Putting another spin on electronica, this London-based quintet blend jazz, funk and psychedelic rock to otherworldly effect - as heard in the intergalactic likes of Do The Milkyway. The Comet is Coming to Manchester to perform new album Channel the Spirits.
Soup Kitchen, 31-33 Spear Street, M1 1DF (7.30pm; tickets from £8 at seetickets.com)
The Comet Is ComingLIONEL RITCHIE | Manchester Arena | 28-29 June
Best-selling crooner Lionel Ritchie is set to get audiences dancing all night long (on the ceiling optional) as he performs All The Hits from decades of classics like Hello and Say You, Say Me. Support comes from Corinne Bailey Rae as she releases latest album The Heart Speaks In Whispers.
Manchester Arena, Victoria Station, Hunts Bank, M3 1AR (6.30pm; tickets from £46.30 at eventim.co.uk)
RIHANNA | Emirates Old Trafford | Wednesday 29 June
With fourteen number one singles under her bejewelled belt and worldwide record sales exceeding 200 million, Rihanna’s latest offering Anti was destined to top UK charts - and it did, also bagging top place on the Billboard Hot 100. Striking Manchester with her Anti world tour, she will be joined by hip hop honcho Big Sean.
Emirates Old Trafford, Talbot Road, M16 0PX(4pm; tickets from £62.75 at livenation.co.uk)
Rihanna
