The best gigs, concerts & club nights happening around Manchester this October

Limerick five-piece Theatre arrive in Manchester fresh off the release of their rightly acclaimed debut EP, Incarnate. Sitting somewhere between shoegaze and ethereal grungey moodiness, the group already has a number of impressive support slots under their belt, having toured with the likes of DIIV, Gurriers and English Teacher. One thing’s for sure: they won’t be playing venues this size for much longer, and seeing them in the intimate surroundings of the much-loved NQ stalwart, The Castle, will be pretty special.

Led by the internationally acclaimed A New Dimension, The World of Hans Zimmer promises an emotional journey through the legendary composer’s most famous scores, presented alongside stunning projections.

Proclaimed by Tchaikovsky himself as ‘the best thing I ever composed or shall compose’, the BBC Philharmonic bring the majesty and magic of Pathétique to The Bridgewater Hall this October, with a programme that also features Leonard Bernstein’s Overture to Candide and Erich Korngold’s Violin Concerto.

Salsa sensation Gia Fu brings a free night of infectious Latin beats to Dahlia Stereo as part of the barbecue and music joint’s impressive opening programme.

Lauded as one of the most exciting new live acts around, experimental Belfast outfit Makeshift Art Bar bring a no-doubt raucous evening of post-punk and noise rock to The Abbey as the venue continues its triumphant second coming.

A perfect introduction to classical music, The Hallé performs some of the world’s favourite and most iconic arrangements at The Bridgewater Hall. The night’s programme features everything from Shostakovich’s Festive Overture and Barber’s Adagio for Strings to Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet: Montagues and Capulets.

One of Australia’s truly great musical exports, Courtney Barnett brings her UK tour to Manchester’s Aviva Studios in celebration of her fourth studio album, Creature of Habit.

Bobbie Dazzle brings brilliantly flamboyant UK glam rock to The Deaf Institute. Having already toured with Alice Cooper, Sweet, Lita Ford and Thunder’s Luke Morley, along with a spot at Hyde Park with Jeff Lynne’s ELO, she arrives in Manchester with an already stellar reputation. What better way to spend a Sunday eve?

A spellbinding moonlit concert celebrating the eerie back catalogue of Tim Burton and other gothic classics takes over Manchester Opera House. Expect to hear pieces from The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, Batman, Beetlejuice, Labyrinth and more.

Twice Grammy-nominated, Mercury Prize and BRIT Award–winning artist Arlo Parks brings the Desire tour to the Albert Hall. Not many tickets left for this one.

Indie rock royalty The Strokes are in Manchester this month, taking over Co-op Live in support of their new record, Reality Awaits. Joining them will be very special guests Fat White Family and Alex Cameron. Unsurprisingly, this one sold out a long while ago, but there are still face value tickets knocking around on resale sites.

Overmono heads up a packed night at Depot Mayfield as part of this year’s Warehouse Project season. Joining are the likes of James Blake B2B Joy Orbison, Aurora Halal, Dry Mystery and special guest Andy C.

The ‘heavy sound of Manchester’, Baked A La Ska, bring a Halloween special to Band on the Wall. Fancy dress is encouraged, and dancing shoes are a non-negotiable.

The RNCM Session Orchestra reimagines timeless disco anthems into powerful orchestral creations. Expect to hear reworked versions of hits by the likes of Chic, Gloria Gaynor, and Diana Ross, expertly arranged for the full sound of an orchestra and soloists from the school’s Pop Department.