It’s looking like another massive month ahead for live music in and around the city. There’s the return of Live from Wythenshawe Park, day parties in Ardwick and a few excellent intimate shows at The Abbey and The Castle Hotel.
Read on for the best gigs happening around Manchester this August.
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.
Liverpool’s heavy-hitting alt rock duo, Pale Strangers, head to the intimate surroundings of The Castle Hotel this August. Expect rollocking riffs backed by bruteish drums. It’s loud, and it’s really, really good.
Nigerian Afrobeats powerhouse Zlatan stops by the Albert Hall as part of his UK tour, bringing with him an array of chart-topping anthems that he’ll be performing with a full band.
Hannah Cohen’s latest record, Earthstar Mountain, draws from a range of styles; there are bits of otherworldly dream pop, country, infectious funk and loads of other good stuff. With contributions from the likes of Sam Evian, Sufjan Stevens, Clairo, Sean Mullins, Liam Kazar and Olivier Hill, it really is a stellar album. Don’t miss her in the famous YES Pink Room this August.
Live from Wythenshawe Park has been a brilliant addition to the city, and this year’s lineup might be the most impressive yet. Now stretching across two entire weekends, the star-packed bill features headline performances from The Cure, Pulp, The Prodigy, Lewis Capaldi and a massive homecoming show for The Courteeners.
Founded by ex-Fat White Family’s Saul Ademczewski, Insecure Men is pretty much the antithesis of those musical roots. Melodic and vulnerable, 2025’s A Man for All Seasons rawly confronts several serious themes and came following Ademczewski’s own recovery from opioid addiction and psychosis. The result, though, seemingly against the odds, is an album that emerges with an overriding sense of hope. Head over to The Abbey later this month to hear it live.
Violet Grohl brings her mightily impressive debut record, the fizzing, 90s-esque, PJ Harvey-inspired Be Sweet to Me to Manchester’s Band on the Wall, an upgrade after her initial date at Deaf Institute was met with such overwhelming demand.
Dr Banana lands at the Progress Centre in Ardwick over the August bank holiday for an all-day session hosted by Animal Crossing. Expect his inimitable blend of bassy cuts from across the house spectrum.
Alternative R&B trailblazer and Odd Future alumnus Syd heads to Manchester this August, bringing her long-awaited third solo album Beard to Albert Hall for a one-off show on Bank Holiday Monday.
- Words:
- Bradley Lengden
- Published on:
- Wed 29 Jul 2026
A cracking-looking night sees Paris-born, London-based five-piece, Spanish Horses, bring their acclaimed live show to The Abbey, the recently revived reincarnation of Hulme’s beloved Old Abbey Taphouse. A great excuse to get down and see the new space if you haven’t had a chance yet.