Five live music gigs you need to see in Manchester in September

Whether it’s the Madchester scene of The Hacienda and groups such as Joy Division and New Order or the Britpop sounds of Oasis, Manchester is famous for its music scene.

As one of the UK’s largest cities it is also a magnet for groups from around the world touring Britain and playing to their fans.

We’ve had a look at the gigs list for September and picked out a few great acts you won’t want to miss who are passing through Manchester.

The Specials

Coventry’s most famous musical export are back on the road this year and heading for the O2 Victoria Warehouse on 9 September.

The ska and Two Tone legends, known for songs such as Ghost Town, enjoyed a triumphant 2019 with the release of the critically acclaimed Encore, their first number one album.

Remarkably, that milestone came 40 years after they first exploded onto the music scene with their sharp Caribbean-influenced riffing and socially-conscious lyrics.

Mason Hill

The Glaswegian rockers are fast becoming one of the breakthrough names in guitar music in 2021.

The group’s debut album Against The Wall, released in March, stormed the UK national album chart at number 19 while reaching number one on the UK album rock chart.

That made it the first new British rock debut to chart in the top 20 since Royal Blood managed the feat in 2014.

The band is also about to receive a PPL/PRS Momentum Fund award to enable the musicians to record and market two new singles in 2022.

Manchester audiences can find out what the hype is all about when the band play at Rebellion on 25 September.

Billie Marten

Raised in the rolling hills of North Yorkshire, Billie has lined up a run of autumn dates in support of her latest album Flora Fauna.

That brings her to Manchester and an appearance at Academy 3 on 29 September.

Her critically-acclaimed debut album Writing of Blues and Yellows was released in 2016 when she was still just 17, while its follow-up Feeding Seahorses By Hand was similarly lauded in 2019.

Recorded with Rich Cooper in London, her new material blends her signature hushed, resonant vocals with a rapid pulse and rich instrumentation, her inspirations now stretching from German progressive rockers Can, to the likes of Broadcast, Arthur Russell, and Fiona Apple.

She was nominated for the BBC Sound of 2016 award.

Paloma Faith

The singer-songwriter needs very little introduction, having picked up a huge fanbase with her retro and eccentric style.

Her success can be measured by the fact that she will appear on the stage at The Bridgewater Hall for two concerts on 21 and 22 September.

October 2020 saw Paloma release Infinite Things and gain her fifth UK Top 10 album of her glittering career.

She now embarks on a massive UK run of live concerts, her first tour since the birth of her second child.

Creeping Jean

Putting a modern twist on the vintage ‘60s and ‘70s sound, Creeping Jean are a Brighton six-piece who have found a considerable fanbase with their huge, thunderous indie-rock anthems.

The band has thundered its way towards success in 2021, building on previous appearances at festivals including Isle of Wight, The Great Escape and Truck Festival.

Rave reviews have poured in while the band honed their live skills putting a tour with Temples under their belt.

Now the band has a full UK tour this autumn, which includes a Manchester date at Northern Quarter venue Gullivers on 30 September.