As Summer begins to draw to a close, there is only one way to make the most of it, live music! And this August there are some incredible gigs happening in and around Manchester to make sure you do just that. With Legendary bands like OMD and The Cure, to new and upcoming artists to watch out for, there is never a dull moment in Manchester. Here is what is happening this August.

 

August 2

  • Solya – Deaf Institute

August 5

  • Borderline — Deaf Institute

August 6

  • Biohazard — Club Academy
  • Spectral Wound — Gorilla –

August 7

  • OMD + Peter Hook & The Light + A Certain Ratio — Rochdale Town Hall – This August, in Rochdale, an incredibly special evening of wonderful music is taking place, featuring some of the most respected bands in the country. Headlining is the Merseyside pioneers of the electronic music genre, OMD, who are coming up on 50 years as a band. Alongside them will be a packed event featuring ex Joy Division and New Order bassist, Peter Hook and his band, The Light. As well as A Certain Ratio who are also coming up on 50 years since their forming. This is certainly going to be an incredible evening, and one not to be missed!

August 8

  • Feelgood Festive: Gabrielle, Ash, Starsailor — Rochdale Town Hall Square
  • Ladysmith Black Mambazo — Band on the Wall

August 12

  • Mistrust + Alex Lewis, Lunathug and Kazim — Eagle Inn

August 15

  • Jeffrey Silverstein — Kamera

August 16

  • Joji — Co-op Live – Years before fans knew him as Joji, he went by another name, and was one of the most prolific creators on YouTube, until 2017 Miller went by Filthy Frank and Pink Guy. Until he decided to pursue a career in Music going by Joji, which is the Japanese version of George. His debut album in 2018 Ballads 1, reached 26 in the UK charts and 3rd in the US.  In February of 2026 he released his most recent album ‘Piss In the Wind’ which peaked at No 6 in the UK. It has been 3 years since new music by Joji, and fans are loving it, and a headline show at Co-op Live is going to be a spectacular welcome back to performing.

August 19

  • Hannah Cohen + Flora Hibberd — Yes Pink Room

August 20

  • Greg Freeman — Yes Pink Room
  • Marie Davidson — The White Hotel
  • NOFX — New Century Hall – Formed in 1983 NOFX gained popularity in the ongoing interest in punk rock in the ‘90s. They became infamous in the punk rock scene with their 1994 release ‘Punk in Drublic’ featuring tracks such as: Linoleum, and Don’t Call Me White. Punk in Drublic spent 4 weeks in the UK’s top 75. NOFX are also credited as one of the most successful independent bands of all time, as they have never been signed to a major label. At the end of August, a documentary about the band will be released accompanied by an original soundtrack album, this documentary covers the band in full detail and will be an intimate look at the band’s history.

August 21

  • DJ Jazzy Jeff & Agent J — Band on the Wall
  • The Cure – Wythenshawe Park – There is not much to say about The Cure that hasn’t already been said, they have been one of the biggest bands in the world since their debut album ‘Three Imaginary Boys’ in 1979. After their latest album ‘Songs Of A Lost World’ in 2024, The Cure have only performed in the UK once following their infamous show at the Troxy in London. But this tour brings them right back onto some of the biggest stages in the country, which includes a sold out show at Manchester’s Wythenshawe Park, with supports from the legendary shoegaze and dreampop pioneers Slowdive it is going to be an incredible day and one that should not be missed!

August 24

  • Ora Cogan — The Abbey
  • Flock of Dimes – Yes Pink Room

August 25

  • Wednesday — Ritz
  • Violet Grohl — Band on the Wall – With her debut record being released in May of this year, Violet Grohl has already made a name for herself and her debut album ‘Be Sweet to Me’ has received incredible reviews from fans and critics alike. At only 20 years old it is looking incredibly hopeful that Violet Grohl is going to have an impressive career, and whilst already playing support to bands such as The Breeders her talent is clearly being seen. Doors for Violet Grohl at Band On The Wall are at 7pm.

August 26

  • Jane Remover — Project House
  • Rochelle Jordan — Academy 2

August 30

  • Frost Children — Gorilla
  • Current Joys – New Century – Since 2013, when the debut album Wild Heart released, Current Joys has been one of the most popular indie pop and lo-fi pop bands, if you can even call it a band, as it is only Nick Rattigan recorded however played live with a full band. After Wild Heart, Rattigan went on to make several albums, until 2018’s ‘A Different Age’ which many fans call his masterpiece, which peaked at 13 in the UK charts. More recently, a new wave of fans have discovered Current Joys, with a few songs being featured on the soundtrack for the wildly popular movie Obsession.  This is going to be an incredible night of some of the best indie and lo-fi music, and it will be a shame to miss it. Doors for Current Joys at New Century are at 7pm.
  • The Prodigy – Wythenshawe Park

 

Looking ahead, there are many gigs happening in September, including these on the first few days:

September 1

  • Tyler Ballgame – New Century Hall

September 2

  • She’s Green – The Lodge

September 3

  • The Courettes – Yes Basement
  • Bailey Zimmerman – Victoria Warehouse
  • Les Big Byrd – The Abbey
  • Sam Smith – Albert Hall