Music
Best Live Music in Manchester This Month: May 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 May, 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 Alex Warren at the top of his game
- Where: Co-op Live, Etihad Campus, 1 Sportcity Way, Manchester, M11 3DL
- When: 27 April
California singer-songwriter Alex Warren had a worldwide number one hit with ‘Ordinary’ last year, a song which was and still is everywhere, before releasing his debut album ‘You’ll Be Alright, Kid’. He’s been climbing the charts again with latest single ‘Fever Dream’, and he’ll be bringing his victory lap to Manchester with a visit to the Co-Op Live on Monday. There’s no better time to catch him live.
Get tickets to Alex Warren at Co-Op Live
Get to know ‘big tent folk singer’ Willi Carlisle
- Where: The Deaf Institute, 135 Grosvenor Street, Manchester, M1 7HE
- When: 28 April
Arkansas-based country-folk musician Willi Carlisle makes music for the weirdos and misfits of the world, proclaiming himself a ‘big tent folk singer’ and spreading a message of hope and acceptance. His music, complete with banjos and fiddle, is as silly and absurd as it is profound, and it’s sure to make for an unforgettable gig at one of Manchester’s best indie venues, the Deaf Institute.
Get tickets to Willi Carlisle at The Deaf Institute
Catch an intimate show from rising Yorkshire singer-songwriter Fiona-Lee
- Where: The Lodge at The Deaf Institute, 135 Grosvenor Street, Manchester, M1 7HE
- When: 30 April
Hailing from the small market town of Howden outside York, Fiona-Lee’s indie-pop coming-of-age bangers have so far taken her to Glastonbury and garnered her major support slots around the UK. She’s now embarking on her first headline tour, and it will be stopping at the Deaf Institute’s more intimate room, The Lodge. Catch her here before she’s playing much bigger rooms, as she’s sure to do soon.
Get tickets to Fiona-Lee at The Lodge
Spend an evening with Scottish indie favourite Hamish Hawk
- Where: O2 Ritz, Whitworth St W, Manchester, M1 5NQ
- When: 30 April
Edinburgh indie rocker Hamish Hawk has released three albums thus far. His most recent, ‘A Firmer Hand’, was a critical success which explored themes of masculinity, sex and shame through a synthy post-punk lens. If that sounds up your street, he’ll be up Whitworth Street at the Ritz on Thursday night.
Get tickets to Hamish Hawk at the O2 Ritz
Enjoy a night of Desi Beats from Panjabi Hit Squad
- Where: The Blues Kitchen, 13 Quay St, Manchester, M3 3HN
- When: 30 April
DJ and producer duo Panjabi Hit Squad coined the Desi Beats genre back in the early 2000s while presenting on Radio 1 Xtra. They blend traditional South Asian flavours with UKG, house, dancehall and more, having a huge influence on South Asian music and creating a sound that has travelled around the world. They’ll be bringing that sound to the Blues Kitchen, one of the city’s premier spots for a good boogie.
Get tickets to Punjabi Hit Squad at The Blues Kitchen
Relive XTC’s greatest hits with EXTC
- Where: Band on the Wall, 25 Swan Street, Manchester, M4 5JZ
- When: 1 May
Terry Chambers, original drummer of the cult new wave band XTC, has in recent years headed back out on the road with his new lineup, EXTC (and with a band name that perfect, it was surely waiting to happen). Playing all the much-loved hits of his former band, including ‘Making Plans For Nigel’, ‘Towers of London’ and ‘Senses Working Overtime’, this is set to be a treat for XTC fans.
Get tickets to EXCT at Band on the Wall
Take communion with enigmatic metal nuns Dogma
- Where: Manchester Club Academy, Manchester University Students Union, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PR
- When: 1 May
Dogma are a five-piece metal band who dress in nun costumes, drop mysterious lore and have a repertoire full of songs about sexual liberation (as well as a metallic Madonna cover). Everyday stuff, then! We’re betting their gigs are an absolute riot; you can find out for yourself this Friday night at the Club Academy.
Get tickets to Dogma at Manchester Club Academy
Witness hit after hit from R&B icon Ne-Yo
- Where: Co-op Live, Etihad Campus, 1 Sportcity Way, Manchester, M11 3DL
- When: 1 May
Arkansas-born singer Ne-Yo has had five UK number ones — including ‘So Sick’, ‘Beautiful Monster’ and ‘Give Me Everything’ with Pitbull — and won three Grammys. He’s also a hitmaker behind the scenes, working with the likes of Rihanna, Beyoncé and Leona Lewis. He’s certifiably one of modern R&B’s biggest icons, and he’s coming to Manchester for a massive gig at the Co-Op Arena.
Get tickets to Ne-Yo at Co-Op Live
Experience a massive night of classic club anthems
- Where: AO Arena, Victoria Station Approach, Hunts Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, M3 1AR
- When: 2 May
Clubland Live will be bringing the biggest dance hits of the last 30 years to UK arenas, with appearances from Ben Nicky, Cascada, Darren Styles and many more. For all Mancunian clubbers, the Manchester date on Saturday the 2nd is not one to be missed — it’ll be an unbelievable party full of classic tunes.
Get tickets to Clubland Live at AO Arena
Catch the debut headline tour of alt-popper EMMMA
- Where: YES, 38 Charles Street, Manchester, M1 7DB
- When: 3 May
Connecticut-born, London-based EMMMA makes sultry, electronics-tinged alt-pop that could well make her a bona fide pop star over the next few years — that’s why we named her one of our Ticketmaster Discover artists at the end of last year. She’s heading off on her debut headline tour of the UK, which includes a stop at one of Manchester’s coolest venues, Charles Street’s super-trendy YES.
