Free things to do in Manchester this week FT BRITs Fringe, SOUP & more

Swing by SOUP this week to check out the Dub Techno Chess Club featuring a lineup of MEMP3, AdomasLP and Tommy Cross.

Whether you’re an aficionado or a beginner, this is a great chance to try something a little different with your evenings!

Hannah O’Gorman, who forms one half of Nossa!, a Manchester based event series, will be doing a full evening set at Bar Shrimp this Thursday.

Hannah finds her musical roots scattered far and wide. From an upbringing filled with psych, folk, and experimental electronics on one side and samba and bossa nova on the other, this DJ has become an expert in drawing common threads between seemingly disparate sounds.

POLARIS, part of the official BRITs Fringe 2026 showcase, offers an intimate, cross-genre live experience where soulful vocalists, experimental producers, rappers, and storytellers each present their own world and sonic identity.

Hosted by Jamz Supernova, the POLARIS live tour consists of BITEZ, LouFella, Ula, GoodBoyAngie, OLUCHI, Misan Veli, Foxi and Edriff — artists whose backgrounds span alt-pop, club culture, rap, jazz, shoegaze, grunge, and ambient music. From jazz-laced poetry and underground club energy to introspective rap and alternative soul, the showcase reflects the diversity, spirit, and creative rebellion of Manchester’s grassroots scene.

A very special free music showcase at the heart of the first-ever BRITs Fringe is coming on Friday, featuring an exciting line-up of emerging artists and DJs set to take to the stage as Manchester prepares to host The BRIT Awards with Mastercard for the very first-time outside London.

The showcase, taking place at New Century Hall, will feature live performances from Chloe Slater, Meduulla, Nxdia and Third Kulture, alongside DJ sets that reflect the breadth and energy of Greater Manchester’s contemporary music scene.

If you fancy something a little different this weekend, swing by Hinterland for the launch of Sober Rebel Society, abold new community redefining nightlife without alcohol, in partnership with Chance Cider & Lucky Saint

Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or simply love a great night out without the hangover, this is your space to connect, celebrate, the sober way with two complimentary alcohol-free drinks on arrival to sweeten the deal.