Manchester is known for its rich musical culture and still rivals most cities with its live scene. From iconic returns to the stage to rare performances in incredible venues, it’s all going on with Manchester gigs in March. We’ve truly got the low-down on the biggest gigs happening in Manchester in May, so allow us to get you all excited about what’s to come in live music this month.
Large/mid-scale gigs in Manchester
1. Olivia Rodrigo, Co-op Live Arena − POSTPONED
Teen sensation and worldwide sweetheart Olivia Rodrigo is coming to Manchester’s brand new Co-op Live arena, touring her newest album GUTS. Olivia Rodrigo rose to fame during lockdown when she released her debut album Sour, at the age of 18, and songs including good 4 u and drivers license became hits on TikTok and official charts alike.
After a career-defining performance at Glastonbury Festival in 2022, new album GUTS delivers the usual Olivia angst, with a slightly more mature tone, cementing her for good as THE popstar of a generation. Support will come from Remi Wolf in the UK, a fellow Californian of Rodrigo’s whose upbeat pop-indie hybrid sound will likely appeal to the demographic at the Co-op Live Arena and beyond.
This show is postponed with details to follow.
🎟️ Find any remaining tickets here.
📍 Co-op Live, Etihad Campus, 1 Sportcity Way, Manchester M11 3DL.
2. Sounds of Kargo, Kargo Mkt Salford − Saturday 4 May
Central Bay‘s Kargo.Mkt is back with its monthly ‘Sounds of Kargo‘ series on Saturday 4 May, which celebrates food and cultures from around the globe. Foodies can expect live music, traditional dances, and DJ sets throughout the day as Manchester meets Mexico for a Taste of Tulum!
May’s Sounds of Kargo will celebrate Mexican culture – in the lead up to Cinco de Mayo. Guests are invited to join the full day bash with live music from 1pm to 6pm, with a special dance performance by Colibri Mexican Folk dance at 3pm. Those looking to continue into the night can do so with tunes from the DJ – 6pm til late.
🎟️ Entry is free.
📍 Unit 32, Quays, Quayside Media City, Kargo MKT, Central Bay, Salford M50 3AG.
3. Sounds from the Other City, Salford venues − Sunday 5 May
Sounds from the Other City, now in its 18th year, will be held across six venues on the campus, including Peel Hall, the Salford Museum & Art Gallery, the recently-refurbished Old Fire Station, the Working Class Movement Library and a stage on Heritage Lawn off The Crescent.
The festival has hosted early-day performances from artists as diverse as Black Country, New Road, Marina, Alabaster de Plume, Alt-J, The Ting Tings, BiPolar Sunshine, Hannah Peel, GoGo Penguin right through to 2017’s Mercury Music Prize winner Sampha, BBC Sound of 2018 nominee IAMDDB and 2019 Mercury Music Prize nominees, Black Midi. Expect an incredible line-up of the same caliber, with future superstars at your fingertips.
🎟️ Find tickets here.
📍 Various Salford venues.
4. Take That, AO Arena − Tuesday 7 − Sunday 12 May
This Life On Tour will see Take That– Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald – play five dates at the AO Arena (rescheduled from Co-op Live), in their hometown of Manchester. They will also be joined on the tour by a very special guest, Olly Murs. The Manchester-formed band will be performing their newest album This Life, but we’re sure they’ll chuck a few classics in there like Rule The World, Shine and Never Forget, if they what’s good for them.
🎟️ Find tickets here.
📍 AO Arena, Victoria Station Approach, Hunts Bank, Manchester M3 1AR.
5. Eric Clapton, Co-op Live − Saturday 18 May
Eric Clapton will take to the stage on May 18, 2024 for his first performance in Manchester in more than a decade. Regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Eric Clapton has sold more than 280 million records worldwide.
As well as holding a CBE for his services to music, Clapton has received 18 Grammy Awards and a BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. Clapton’s appearance at Co-op Live will be one of nine dates on his upcoming UK and Ireland tour.
🎟️ Find tickets here.
📍 Co-op Live, Etihad Campus, 1 Sportcity Way, Manchester M11 3DL.
6. Girls Aloud, AO Arena − Thursday 23 − Saturday 25 May
After a hiatus of 11 years, everyone’s favourite girl group Girls Aloud are back for a reunion tour in May and June 2024, performing 15 dates across the UK and Ireland. The tour is dedicated to the memory of the late and much-missed Sarah Harding, one of the members of the iconic pop group, who tragically lost her battle with breast cancer back in 2021.
While there is no new music planned, you can expect them to play all the hits when they hit the stage in May, and my God have they got plenty to perform. We hope to be boogying to Sound of the Underground, The Promise and Can’t Speak French amongst so many more, and the girls are set to make it a special run in memory of Sarah.
🎟️ Find tickets here.
📍 AO Arena, Victoria Station Approach, Hunts Bank, Manchester M3 1AR.
Small/intimate gigs in Manchester
7. Denver County Council, Matt and Phreds − Friday 10 May
Renowned venues Jimmy’s and Matt and Phreds are coming together for a series of live event nights and gigs to highlight the importance of preserving independent nightlife and culture within Manchester City Centre. The inaugural event will take place on May 10 2024 with up-and-comers Denver County Council headlining the gig.
Jimmy’s will work alongside the band and team at Matt and Phreds to curate a lineup of the best rising talent that Manchester and surrounding areas have to offer, making these gigs ones to look out for. The stage of Matt and Phreds will add to its already extensive genre showcasing by welcoming Indie, Rock, and Blues through this collaborative programming with Jimmy’s. Look out for more in the future.
🎟️ Find tickets here.
📍 Matt and Phreds Jazz Club, 64 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LW.
8. Gary Numan, O2 Ritz Manchester − Friday 24 May
Electronic music pioneer Gary Numan celebrates the 45th anniversary of his 1979 albums Replicas and The Pleasure Principle. The dark-haired, face-painted icon will no doubt be giving air to some of his best hits including Down in the Park and the seminal Cars, and handing out a hefty dose of nostalgia to the fans who come for it.
🎟️ Find tickets here.
📍 O2 Ritz, Whitworth St W, Manchester M1 5NQ.
9. The Barefoot Bandit, The Vale Mossley − Saturday 25 May
The Barefoot Bandit, described as an explosion of reggae, dub and world music, are coming to The Vale on Saturday 25 May 2024. Admired by DJs including the legendary David Rodigan and BBC Radio 6 Music’s Craig Charles, the band released its long-awaited debut album Hello Welcome in April 2023 and toured throughout the winter with Dub Pistols.
Other high profile support slots include Lee “Scratch” Perry, Horace Panter & Lynval Golding (The Specials) and Dreadzone, but in Mossley, The Barefoot Bandit will be taking the headline slot. Support is from rapper, poet, and educator Donovan Christoper. Catch them this May ahead of a busy summer on the festival circuit, including Gone Wild, Jurassic Fields, The Wild Gardens, Bearded Theory and Great Estate.
🎟️ Find tickets here.
📍 The Vale, Mossley, Ashton-under-Lyne OL5 0EE.
10. Gaucho Grassroots Music Lates, Gaucho − Friday 31 May
Gaucho Grassroots Music Lates will be hosted at Gaucho Manchester, a converted church in the centre of Deansgate. The event will comprise electrifying performances from emerging music artists, KSR and Victoria Jayne. KSR, draws on classic R&B and neo soul while infusing his tracks with a unique vulnerability. Victoria, one of Manchester’s most exciting new sounds, belongs to the new wave of R&B talent that pushes the boundaries and paves the way for more to follow.
In addition to the memorable live performances, the ticket price will include a complimentary Hennessy cocktail from a five-strong list. Picks of the night will be a Berry Mojito and a Hennessy Honey Highball, expertly crafted to enjoy Hennessy in a lighter, fresher and brighter way. The Gaucho kitchen will also be staying open after hours, serving the UK’s best beef and its excellent new summer menu for diners to enjoy to pair with the music − how’s that for late night bites?
🎟️ Find tickets here.
📍 Gaucho Manchester, 2A St Mary’s St, Manchester M3 2LB.