Whether you’re after a spontaneous night of new music, a memorable trip to the theatre or a bucket-list arena show featuring your favourite global megastar, there are plenty of unmissable live performances around town this week with last-minute tickets still available.

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac | Lowry | Mon 14 Apr | From £39.50

Billed as ‘the ultimate tribute’ to one of rock and roll’s biggest bands, and with personal endorsement from Mick Fleetwood, the one-off show Rumours of Fleetwood Mac honours the legendary group at their very best, offering a special opportunity for fans across the generations to rediscover some of their best songs and performances.

Pier, 8 The Quays, Salford, Manchester M50 3AZ
Nate Bargatze | Apollo | Tue 15 Apr | From £42.15

On Tue 15 Apr, the viral GRAMMY-nominated comedian and podcaster Nate Bargatze heads to the Apollo for the Manchester leg of his 2025 BIG DUMB EYES WORLD TOUR.

Stockport Rd, Manchester M12 6AP
Mary Poppins | Palace Theatre | Tue 15 - Sat 19 Apr | From £28

Floating cordially down onto the Palace stage for a five-week run this spring, Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s production of Mary Poppins presents a delightfully uplifting take on the world’s favourite nanny and her domestic adventures on Cherry Tree Lane at the Palace Theatre.

The spellbinding production reimagines the classic children’s caper with wondrous choreography, captivating special effects and a score including Jolly Holiday, Step in Time and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, alongside new songs by the Olivier award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

97 Oxford St, Manchester, M1 6FT
Eek a Mouse | Band on the Wall | Tue 15 Apr | From £23

Having become a household name in Jamaica’s dancehall scene and worldwide after coining a new, distinctive vocal style, sing-jay, the titanic DJ Eek a Mouse comes to town this Tuesday with a career-spanning set at Band on the Wall.

25 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JZ
9 to 5: The Musical | Hope Mill Theatre | Tue 15 - Sat 19 Apr | From £26

Based on the seminal 1980 hit movie, the Hope Mill Amateur Dramatics Company production of 9 to 5 presents an outrageous, thought-provoking and fabulously funny tale of friendship and revenge set to the iconic music of Dolly Parton.

113 Pollard St, Manchester M4 7JA
IV and The Strange | Tue 15 Apr | Deaf Institute | £16.75

On Tue 15 Apr, the great-grandson of Hank Williams Sr. takes over The Deaf Institute with his genre-bending country sounds alongside his illustrious band.

135 Grosvenor St, Manchester M1 7HE
Abigail’s Party | Royal Exchange | Tue 15 - Sat 19 Apr | From £10

Running as the centrepiece of the Royal Exchange’s spring season, Mike Leigh’s cult tragicomic masterpiece Abigail’s Party brings theatre’s most chaotic cocktail party to Manchester from Fri 4 Apr – Sat 17 May.

The bold new production utilises the Royal Exchange’s uniquely intimate in-the-round staging to invite audiences into Beverly Moss’ ill-fated soiree in the heart of genial 1970s suburbia.

St Ann’s Square, Manchester M2 7DH
Cloonee | Albert Hall | Thu 17 Apr | From £29.68

Having taken over Tiktok with his irresistible dance track Sippin’ Yak last year, DJ Cloonee transforms Albert Hall into a pulsating rave club as part of a four-stop UK spring tour this Thursday.

27 Peter St, Manchester M2 5QR
Halflives | Deaf Institute | Fri 18 Apr | £20.15

Driven by an ethos of hope, defiance and encouragement, alt-rock sensation Linda Battilani – aka Halflives – stops by the Deaf Institute as part of her European Golden Era tour.

135 Grosvenor St, Manchester M1 7HE
The Murder Capital | New Century | Fri 18 Apr | From £21.22

Irish post-punk outfit The Murder Capital hit the New Century stage with a setlist of dark, intense, and vulnerable songs including new works from their latest album, Blindness.

34 Hanover St, Manchester M4 4AH
Across the Universe | Stoller Hall | Fri 18 Apr | £32.50

Backed by world-class orchestrations in string and brass, Across the Universe brings The Beatles’ greatest hits to life in a celebration of their ‘studio years’ spanning 1966 through 1970.

Hunts Bank, Manchester M3 1DA
Oscar Jerome + Tommy Wa | Band on the Wall | Fri 18 Apr | £16.50

Musician and writer Oscar Jerome joins forces with form-fusing African folk singer Tommy Wa for an unforgettable performance at Band on the Wall this Friday.

25 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JZ
Manchester Punk Festival | The Union | Gorilla | Breadshed | Sandbar | Yes | Rebellion | Fri 18 - Sun 20 Apr | £100

Returning for its tenth instalment, Manchester Punk Festival takes over various landmark venues around the city with a weekend of anarchic, percussive bedlam from Fri 18 Apr.

Various locations
Central Cee | Co-op Live | Sat 19 Apr | From £53.95

The rap superstar brings his world-beating hits and a cohort of special guests to Manchester’s Co-op Live for a blockbuster Saturday concert this weekend.

Etihad Campus, 1 Sportcity Way, Manchester M11 3DL
Sean Paul | AO Arena | Sat 20 Apr | From £56

Supported by R&B legend Ashanti, noughties icon Sean Paul brings his biggest tunes to AO Arena for a spectacular night of nostalgic delight on Sat 20 Apr.

Victoria Station Approach, Hunts Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M3 1AR
Toxic | Lowry | Sat 19 Apr | £17

Presented by Dibby Theatre and commissioned in partnership with HOME, the bold and beautiful semi-autobiographical play Toxic returns to Manchester this week, combining storytelling, movement, stunning design and a vibrant soundtrack to unpack the stigma, shame and shared trauma surrounding queerness at Lowry.

Pier, 8 The Quays, Salford, Manchester M50 3AZ
Words:
Wolf McFarlane
Published on:
Sun 13 Apr 2025