From London Grammar to Lady Gaga, here's our pick of Manchester’s music scene over the next two months
NOAH GUNDERSEN | Night & Day | Tuesday 12 September
With a huge following stateside, young Seattle-based artist Noah Gundersen is poised to take the UK by storm with his evolutionary folk rock sound. From his devout Christian choral upbringing to breaking into the historic Seattle music scene as a teenager playing Neil Young covers, Gundersen’s new LP White Noise blends early influences with a richer, subtler sound - representing an America in upheaval. He’ll be joined by local songstress Maisie Johnson. Night & Day, 26 Oldham Street, M1 1JN (7.30pm; tickets £9 from seetickets.com).
NO PETTICOATS HERE | Waterside Arts Centre | Thursday 14 September
Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Louise Jordan tells the stories of inspirational women who challenged expectations in this ‘gutsy’ wartime show: from those who dressed as soldiers on the Western Front to the women football players banned by the FA, the ambulance drivers running the gauntlet of enemy fire in Flanders and the so-called ‘surplus million’ single women. Recommended if you like your music with meaning. Waterside Arts Centre, 1 Waterside Plaza, Sale, M33 7ZF (7.30pm; tickets £9 from watersideartscentre.co.uk).
LA LA LAND LIVE TOUR | Bridgewater Hall | 21 September
It’s been described as the film of its generation, reinventing the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema for modern times and scooping a record amount of awards. Now La La Land will be brought to audiences like never before, accompanied by a 60-piece orchestra playing Justin Hurwitz’s iconic score - winner of Best Original Score at this year’s Oscars. Guaranteed to put a spring in your step. Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, M2 3WS (7.3pm; tickets from £31.50 at bridgewater-hall.co.uk).
ABANDOMAN: LIFE & RHYMES | Gorilla | Thursday 21 September
Blending hip hop with comedy, Abandoman have found a niche and run with it - destroying rural Ireland’s talent show circuit, supporting Ed Sheeran and entertaining over £100,000 people on a sell-out run at Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Now ‘teetering on the edge of international fame,’ Abandoman commence their most ambitious: an access-all-areas tour, featuring a cast of characters…that changes every night. This is their Life and Rhymes. Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth St West, M1 5WW (7pm; tickets £12 from thisisgorilla.com).
LOST IN MUSIC WITH JOHN MORALES | Underdog | Friday 29 September
What started with a wild launch night back in July with Glitterbox star Dr Packer returns even bigger in September with Studio 54 legend John Morales. Having been at the forefront of disco music for the last 35 years, The Bronx native has worked with everyone from Jocelyn Brown to Tina Turner and The Rolling Stones. Now, after a summer blowing the roof off Ibiza, he heads to Manchester for the first time ever - joined by local DJ Will Tramp - for an night of epic re-edits spanning Eurythmics to Prince. Underdog, 11-13 New Wakefield Street, M1 5NP (11pm; tickets £5/8 at skiddle.com).
TORI AMOS | Palace Theatre | 5 October
In support of her imminent album Native Invader, Tori Amos hits Manchester this autumn for a one-off concert at the Palace Theatre. Prolific in her field of piano-driven alternative rock music (with a sound likened to Aimee Mann, Kate Bush and Bjork), the mezzo-soprano continues to push boundaries with her music: described as empowering, tender and acerbic at once. Combined with the opulent surrounds of the Palace, this promises to be a treat. Palace Theatre, 97 Oxford Street, M1 6FT (7pm; tickets from £29.15 at atgtickets.com).
THE MUSICAL BOX: THE BLACK SHOW | The Lowry | Tuesday 10 October
Internationally acclaimed for their historical re-enactment of early Genesis works, The Musical Box are exclusively licensed by both the band themselves and Peter Gabriel - the man responsible for their famous theatrics. Together, they would produce some of the most iconic images and sounds of the progressive rock era. The Musical Box will be reimagining Selling England by the Pound - the emblematic 1974 show, originally only ever seen in USA - for this special show, promising early classics and wacky costumes galore. The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ (7.30pm; tickets from £25 at thelowry.com).
LADY GAGA | Manchester Arena | Tuesday 17 October
Following 2014’s sell-out artRAVE world tour, ‘Mother Monster’ returns to Manchester as part of her latest global tour Joanne. One of the bestselling musicians of all time, Gaga is joined by the likes of Lady Antebellum, Legends Live, Emeli Sandé and Metallica for Manchester Arena’s autumn season. The premier music venue has remained closed since May’s terror attack but will be reopening again on 9 September with the We Love Manchester benefit concert - now sold out following an overwhelming demand for tickets. Manchester Arena, Victoria Station, Hunts Bank, M3 1AR (7.30pm; tickets from £35 at manchester-arena.com).
LONDON GRAMMAR | O2 Apollo | Friday 20 October
From meeting in a Nottingham halls of residence to having their debut album certified double platinum, it’s been a fruitful five years for indie pop trio London Grammar (pictured top). Characterised by their ethereal instrumentation, emotive lyrics and Hannah Reid’s resonant vocals, the band’s second album Truth is a Beautiful Thing reached top spot on the UK album charts earlier this year - and with good reason. Don’t miss this chance to see them live. O2 Apollo, Stockport Road, M12 6AP (7pm; tickets at academymusicgroup.com).
SLEAFORD MODS | Manchester Academy | Saturday 21 October
Another band with its origins in Nottingham, Sleaford Mods have garnered extensive critical acclaim for their ironic analyses of austerity Britain, leading to collaborations with the likes of The Prodigy. The electronic punk duo will be at Academy, performing from an extensive back catalogue spanning unemployment to pop culture. Profanity guaranteed… Manchester Academy, Oxford Road, M13 9PR (7pm; tickets £20.35 at manchesteracademy.net).
