As is the case most years, summer in Manchester is set to be better than ever. With festivals, events and all sorts of activities going on, we can’t wait for those sunny days to (hopefully) come around. Now, Barton Live has announced a wave of high profile line-up additions to its debut four-day open-air music series at Barton Aerodrome, Manchester.
From Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 July 2026, Barton Aerodrome will welcome the likes of Craig David, DJ Spoony and 808 State to its vast open field, with more names being announced alongside the line-up for Electric Heart festival – happening in the latter half of the weekend.
Located on Liverpool Road in Eccles, Barton Aerodrome will host four consecutive 5,000-capacity open-air shows that combine large-scale production with a welcoming and accessible outdoor setting. The site will feature bespoke staging, immersive sound and lighting and practical amenities including on-site parking and strong public transport links with early evening finishes designed to appeal to a broad audience.
Barton Live is conceived as a cohesive summer series rather than standalone events so offers audiences the opportunity to experience multiple genres and world-class performances across a single long weekend.
Barton Live line-up
Thursday 2 & Friday 3 July
Thursday 2 July is headlined by David Gray, whose Past & Present Tour is already nearing sell-out.
On Friday 3 July, iconic electronic act Faithless (Live) will now be joined by acid house pioneers 808 State who will deliver a showcase of their raw sounds with an exclusive DJ set alongside trance and progressive legend Chicane.
Saturday 4 July
Saturday 4 July sees Craig David Presents TS5 elevated with a heavyweight garage and club lineup, featuring UK garage pioneers DJ Luck & MC Neat and Kiss FM mainstay DJ Spoony plus multi-genre master Patrick Nazemi. The additions underline this as a definitive celebration of UK garage and R&B past and present and complements the much loved Craig David’s signature blend of live vocals and DJing.
Electric Heart festival – Sunday 5 July
Sunday 5 July’s Electric Heart festival features indie favourites including The Fratellis, Scouting For Girls, The Feeling, The Hoosiers, Toploader and Dodgy.
Barton Live & Electric Heart timings
Thursday 2 July
David Gray – Past & Present Tour (14+)
Support Acts TBA
Gates open: 18:00 | Last entry: 20:00 | Event ends: 23:00
Friday 3 July
Faithless – Live (14+)
Chicane
808 State
Gates open: 17:00 | Last entry: 20:00 | Event ends: 23:00
Saturday 4 July
Craig David – Presents TS5 (14+)
DJ Luck & MC Neat
DJ Spoony
Patrick Nazemi
Gates open: 16:00 | Last entry: 18:00 | Event ends: 22:30
Sunday 5 July
Electric Heart – Manchester Indie Festival (14+)
The Fratellis
Scouting For Girls
The Feeling
The Hoosiers
Toploader
Dodgy
Gates open: 14:00 | Last entry: 17:00 | Event ends: 22:30
How to get tickets
You can find tickets for each individual event at Barton Live and Electric Heart here.