Music
Guide
Best Live Music in Manchester This Month: October 2026
Our guide to the must-see gigs, concerts and club nights in Manchester this month
Manchester’s gig calendar isn’t slowing down as we head into October, with a packed week of live music across the city’s biggest arenas and most beloved grassroots venues. From chart-topping pop and R&B icons to rising indie stars and underground favourites, there’s something for every kind of music fan. Whether you’re after a huge night out or a more intimate show, here are the best gigs happening in Manchester this month.
See a renewed lineup of metal legends Fear Factory
- Where: O2 Ritz, Whitworth St W, Manchester, M1 5NQ
- When: Thursday 1 October
Debuting in the early ‘90s, Los Angeles band Fear Factory were pioneers of alternative metal and nu-metal with their heavy, groove-laden, industrial sound. Having survived through various lineup shifts, they’ve recently renewed their sound with a new vocalist, Milo Silvestro. They’ll be bringing the ‘Cybernetic Domination’ tour to Manchester on Thursday, and it’s set to be a fearsome night.
Get tickets to Fear Factory at the O2 Ritz
Get revved up with Brighton alt-rock trio Yonaka
- Where: New Century Hall, 34 Hanover St, Manchester, M4 4AH
- When: Friday2 October
Alt-rock Brightonians Yonaka are a genre-bending force, fusing heavy riffs with elements of hip-hop, pop and EDM. After a seven-year wait, they released their second album, ‘Until You’re Satisfied’, in March of this year, garnering praise from the likes of Kerrang! and DIY Magazine. The new songs bring a revved-up energy that will make their headliner at New Century Hall pretty epic.
Get tickets to Yonaka at New Century Hall
Get the party started with Real Housewife DJ Meredith Marks
- Where: Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth St, Manchester, M1 5WW
- When: Friday 2 October
How often do you get to see a DJ set by a Real Housewives star? You may know DJ Meredith Marks from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, but you can also often find her behind the decks spinning house and pop bangers. Her set at Gorilla is one of only two UK appearances, and you won’t need to be a fan of reality TV to have a real good time.
Get tickets to DJ Meredith Marks at Gorilla
Enjoy new and old tunes from Britpop favourites Cast
- Where: New Century Hall, 34 Hanover St, Manchester, M4 4AH
- When: Saturday 3 October
Formed by The La’s co-songwriter John Power, Liverpool group Cast became part of Britpop’s main – ahem – cast during the 1990s. They’ve got a famous fan in Noel Gallagher, and they supported Oasis during their massive reunion tour last year. Their new album, ‘Yeah Yeah Yeah’, followed in January of this year, so there’ll be new tunes and old favourites in the mix at New Century Hall this Saturday.
Get tickets to Cast at New Century Hall
Be won over by open-hearted singer-songwriter Matt Hansen
- Where: O2 Ritz, Whitworth St W, Manchester, M1 5NQ
- When: Wednesday 7 October
Based in Los Angeles, Matt Hansen has made a splash online with his open-hearted and soulful songwriting. Fans of pop-tinged singer-songwriter music, à la Niall Horan or Lewis Capaldi, will find something to love in his music; he released his debut album ‘Orchid’ this year, and there’s surely much more to come from him.
Get tickets to Matt Hansen at the O2 Ritz
Get to know dance-punk band to watch ALEXSUCKS
- Where: Night and Day, 26 Oldham Street, Manchester, M1 1JN
- When: Wednesday 7 October
Those who miss the golden era of Bloc Party and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs should get down to Night and Day on Wednesday, where dance-punk upstarts ALEXSUCKS are playing one of two UK headline gigs. With propulsive energy, pounding drums and catchy hooks, they’re a band to watch for all indie rock fans – don’t miss the chance to see them at such an intimate venue.
Get tickets to ALEXSUCKS at Night and Day
Get in your feelings to Dylan Flynn and the Dead Poets’ anthemic tunes
- Where: Night and Day, 26 Oldham Street, Manchester, M1 1JN
- When: Thursday 8 October
Limerick heartland-rockers Dylan Flynn and the Dead Poets make anthemic, heartfelt tunes that’ll get you moving and weeping in equal measure. Their headliner should make for a rowdy, cathartic night at Night and Day, in the heart of the Northern Quarter.
Get tickets to Dylan Flynn at the Dead Poets at Night and Day
Start your Friday night in style with The Skints
- Where: Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth St, Manchester, M1 5WW
- When: Friday 9 October
Described as “torchbearers for modern British reggae”, The Skints’ London-via-Jamaica sound incorporates ska, punk, dub, grime, soul and pop to make a genuinely unique blend. Their music is full of personality and a lot of fun; tucked away under the train tracks at Gorilla, they’ll provide a riotous Friday night for punk and reggae heads alike.
Get tickets to The Skints at Gorilla
Give a Manchester welcome to Australian pop up-and-comer Ruel
- Where: New Century Hall, 34 Hanover St, Manchester, M4 4AH
- When: Saturday 10 October
Sydney singer-songwriter Ruel has been in the music industry since he was 14, when he released his debut single ‘Golden Years’. Since then, he’s been developing into a bona fide pop star, with his newest album ‘Kicking My Feet & Screaming’ full of heartfelt, songwriting-led bangers. Still only 23, his breakthrough is only going to reach new heights – watch this space.
Get tickets to Ruel at New Century Hall
Watch hot UK rap prospect ArrDee ‘lead by exsample’
- Where: Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth St, Manchester, M1 5WW
- When: Sunday 11 October
Hailing from Brighton, ArrDee (that stands for his real name, Riley Davies) is one of the UK’s hottest rappers, breaking out with the mixtape ‘Pier Pressure’ in 2022. He’s collaborated with the likes of Aitch, Cat Burns and Bugzy Malone, and has racked up top-10 hits like ‘Oliver Twist’ and ‘Flowers (Say My Name)’; now he’s back with the EP ‘Lead by Exsample’, and he’s sure to set things off when he headlines Gorilla on Sunday.
Get tickets to ArrDee at Gorilla
