Book now: Sufjan Stevens at O2 Apollo Manchester

Surjan Stevens’ previous endeavour was of the electronic and experimental kind, but for his seventh studio album, his label, Asthmatic Kitty, have kindly suggested listeners to immerse themselves in the album without the distractions of our devices. Carrie & Lowell is named after Stevens’ stepfather and mother, who he lost to stomach cancer in 2012, and this album speaks of the impact this caused. The result so far of live sets for this record have been heartbreakingly beautiful, and some performances have seen the display of old home movies of Stevens’ and his parents’ childhoods in Michigan, enveloping the audience in a cloud of poignancy. Don’t let yourself miss this chance for Stevens to tell you his story.

Mon 31 Aug, O2 Apollo Manchester, Stockport Road, Ardwick Green, Manchester M12 6AP, 7pm, £25 (seating), www.seetickets.com