From open-air gigs with punk royalty and a chance to hear one of British music’s most important records in its entirety to otherworldy synth pop and a festival of experimental sounds, here are our picks of the best gigs to see in Manchester this July.
Fresh from the release of April’s quite brilliant Speaking to the Body, Madeline Goldstein brings otherworldly, 80s synth-laden dream pop to the intimate surroundings of YES basement.
American singer-songwriter Alexandra Savior, renowned for her ethereal, woozy sound and encapsulating storytelling, is at Manchester’s Club Academy on Fri 10 Jul. Saviour recently released her hotly anticipated new record, Beneath the Lilypad, which has been half a decade in the making, so it’s a great chance to hear material from it in a live setting.
The Streets return to Castlefield Bowl for what promises to be another massive couple of nights if the group’s last headline performance there in 2021 is anything to go by. This time, Mike Skinner and co will be playing their seminal record, A Grand Don’t Come For Free, in its entirety for the first time ever, which is pretty special.
Punk rock pioneers the Sex Pistols celebrate the 50th anniversary of their multi-era-defining gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall with a special show at Castlefield Bowl as part of this year’s Sounds of the City lineup. Original members Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock will be joined by Frank Carter (Rattlesnakes, Gallows) on vocals, with very special guests Dr John Cooper Clarke and The Undertones completing a seriously impressive support bill.
Hailing from just up the road in Todmordon, Lines of Silence are an experimental kosmische band that intertwines analogue and digital electronics with drone rock guitar. The group is comprised of duo David Little and Dave Clarkson, a hugely respected face in Manchester’s experimental electronics scene, with live visuals supplied by John Bonner and Adrian Ball.
Part two of this year’s three-part Green Island Festival takes place on Sat 25 Jul, returning to the unique backdrop of Hulme Community Garden Centre and NIAMOS. This month’s edition features a slate of stellar names, including 808 State, Rhod Parry, BCUC, Supernature Disco and loads more.
Fusing hip-hop, pop, and electronic sounds, GLU is the solo project of Queens of the Stone Age bassist and Mini Mansions multi-instrumentalist Michael Shuman. Catch him in YES’ famous Pink Room at the end of the month.
New Orleans-based Hot 8 Brass Band returns to Band on the Wall this summer on their 30th Anniversary Tour. Lauded for their electric live shows, the group draws on the traditional jazz heritage of their hometown, blending that with elements of funk and hip hop. We’re massive fans, and are sure you will be too.
Founded in 2019, RADAR Festival is dedicated to showcasing progressive, experimental and boundary-pushing music. Obviously, that’s a fairly wide bracket, which is great in that it makes for a properly diverse lineup. This year’s three-day event features the likes of Skindred, Northlane, Animals as Leaders, Thy Art is Murder, Hacktivist and loads more.
- Words:
- Bradley Lengden
- Published on:
- Tue 7 Jul 2026
As part of the group’s biggest headline tour to date, Wet Leg stop by in Manchester for a night at Castlefield Bowl as part of another stacked Sounds of the City schedule. If that’s not enough on its own, support comes from 2024 Mercury Prize winners, English Teacher