BELOW you'll find ten of the best gigs and concerts in and around Manchester throughout September and October. Not your bag? Well then how about the Top 10 Exhibitions or Top 10 Theatre and Comedy shows?
THE ENEMY | O2 Ritz | Wednesday 7 September
With the British indie band disbanding this year, it’s Last Orders for The Enemy’s farewell tour. Their gig later this month is sold out but there are still tickets left for Wednesday’s concert. After ten years and three Top 10 albums, prepare for one last hurrah as the band perform their impressive back catalogue of anthems.
O2 Ritz, Whitworth Street West, M1 5NQ (7pm; tickets £22.50 at ticketweb.co.uk).
THE GODFATHER LIVE | Saturday 17 September | Bridgewater Hall
After a sold-out run at London’s Albert Hall, The Godfather Live comes to Bridgewater Hall courtesy of Manchester Camerata. Coppola’s masterpiece - regarded as one of the greatest films ever made - will be shown on the big screen whilst Nino Rota’s epic score is performed simultaneously by a live orchestra. If this doesn’t send a few shivers down the spine, we don’t know what will.
Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, M2 3WS (7pm; tickets from £39.50 at bridgewater-hall.co.uk).
The Godfather Live
RONAN KEATING | O2 Apollo | 23-24 September
The Irish crooner is in Manchester for his 2016 tour, following his new album - Time of my Life - earlier this year. It’s an apt name, considering that since his Boyzone days he’s sold over 20 million records and now enjoys a stint as a judge on Australian talent show The Voice. His tenth release employs the same undivisive acoustic balladry that has earned such success. Well, if it ain’t broke...
O2 Apollo, Stockport Road, M12 6AP (7pm; tickets from £41.30 at ticketmaster.co.uk).
VONDA SHEPARD | The Lowry | Sunday 9 October
Multi Emmy, Golden Globe and Grammy award-winning artist Vonda Shepard - best known as the former musical director of Ally McBeal - heads from LA to the Lowry this October with her bluesy soulful tunes and powerful vocals. Her 2016 UK tour follows last year’s sell-out UK run in support of her latest album Rookie; building on a repertoire spanning five studio albums and a stage debut in Randy Newman’s musical Faust.
The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ (8pm; tickets £27 at tickets.thelowry.com).
Vonda Shepard
NEIGHBOURHOOD FESTIVAL | Citywide | Saturday 8 October
As if Manchester didn’t already boast a phalanx of local music fests, yet another enters the fray this year. Neighbourhood is ‘a brand new metropolitan music festival’: one day, ten venues, over 100 artists. Headlined by Circa Waves and Twin Atlantic, the line-up also includes a wealth of both established and emerging talent like Kate Nash and False Advertising.
Various; tickets £30 at neighbourhoodfestival.co.uk.
HOMEGROWN FOLK FESTIVAL | Bury | 13-15 October
If folk’s more your thing, you’re in luck because Bury Met’s Homegrown is devoted to the genre. Performers this year include folk legends like Michael McGoldrick, Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain and Steeleye Span - while indie folk is represented by Turin Brakes and Moulettes. Venues include the Castle Armoury Drill Hall and the Fusilier Museum.
Various; tickets from £30 at themet.biz/homegrown.
Moulettes
NICKELBACK | Manchester Arena | Wednesday 19 October
Billboard’s ‘Top Rock Group of the Decade’ return to Manchester Arena for the first time since 2012, performing bestselling hits like How You Remind Me, Hero and Photograph. The Canadian rock band - lead by Chad Kroeger’s gravelly vocals - have seen staggering success since their inception twenty years ago, even earning a place on the Canadian Walk of Fame.
Manchester Arena, Victoria Station, Hunts Bank, M3 1AR (7.30pm; tickets £45.80 at eventim.co.uk).
JAKE BUGG | O2 Apollo | Wednesday 19 October
His first, self-titled, album hit the top of the UK charts faster than a lightning bolt. Since then, indie folk-rock star Jake Bugg hasn’t looked back - producing two more successful albums, collaborating with the likes of Red Hot Chilli Peppers and winning an NME award for ‘best solo artist’ in 2015.
O2 Apollo, Stockport Road, M12 6AP (7pm; tickets from £28.60 at seetickets.com).
Jake Bugg
REBECCA FERGUSON | Bridgewater Hall | Monday 24 October
Despite being frequently confused with a Swedish actress of the same name, the ‘Liverpool Lungs’ has proved she’s got the X Factor - after coming second in the 2010 talent show - by releasing three albums to commercial and critical acclaim. Her Bridgewater Hall appearance will feature a mixture of hits from Lady Sings the Blues and new material from her forthcoming album.
Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, M2 3WS (7pm; tickets from £39.50 at bridgewater-hall.co.uk).
MAXWELL & MARY J. BLIGE | Manchester Arena | Sunday 30 October
It’s astonishing to think that Blige was once a background singer. Now known of the ‘Queen of Hip Hop Soul’, she has received a record thirty Grammy nominations - winning nine - and is one of very few to have eight or more albums reach multi-platinum status. Also hailed as an inspirational voice to women worldwide, Blige joins neo soul pioneer Maxwell for the co-headlining King and Queen of Hearts World Tour.
Manchester Arena, Victoria Station, Hunts Bank, M3 1AR (7.30pm; tickets from £57 at eventim.co.uk).
Mary J.Blige
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