Join us for a guided game session for ‘Liquid Dependencies: What does a decentralised, caring society look like?’ This live action role-playing experience invites 12 participants to inhabit characters within the fictional ReUnion society, a sustainable community shaped by long-term mutual care and collective responsibility. £10 - £12.50. More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/liquid-dependencies-guided-game-session-tickets-1985187102062

Liquid Dependencies: Guided Game Session

esea contemporary, 13 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1EU, UK

DG Kollective is an 18-piece ensemble combining soaring brass, sleek saxes and a powerhouse rhythm section to deliver a bold, contemporary big band sound. Tickets and more info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/big-band-brunch

Big Band Brunch

Matt & Phreds Jazz Club, 64 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LW, UK

After All Festival is back and bigger than ever in 2026! With four stages spanning three venues, Manchester’s premier grassroots music festival once again descends on the city’s Northern Quarter. £20. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/after-all-festival-2026/

After All Festival 2026

Band on the Wall, 25 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JZ, UK

Kemani & Friends is a fantastic showcase from Manchester vocalist and multi-genre artist Kemani Anderson, live at Matt & Phred’s. This special series highlights underground Manchester talent, featuring Kemani’s blend of soul, jazz, and RnB, alongside guest artists. FREE. More info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/kemani-and-friends

Kemani & Friends

The Chinese Marbles are a collective of ten multi-instrumentalists from Macclesfield. This band plays a truly eclectic mix of genres including rock, ska, funk, disco, soul, reggae and blues. Bring your dancing shoes! More info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/chinese-marbles

Chinese Marbles

This is a special one. The award-winning Tom Sharp Jazz Orchestra continue their exploration of big band music looking this year at the work of the great Duke Ellington. More info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/tom-sharp-jazz-orchestra

Tom Sharp Jazz Orchestra

Join us at The Jazz Room as we celebrate two of the most influential musicians of all time: Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong. Experience their timeless music reimagined by a talented live band in an intimate setting. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/the-jazz-room-a-frank-sinatra-louis-armstrong-tribute-early-show/

The Jazz Room: A Frank Sinatra & Louis Armstrong Tribute – Early Show

Join us at The Jazz Room as we celebrate two of the most influential musicians of all time: Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong. Experience their timeless music reimagined by a talented live band in an intimate setting. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/the-jazz-room-a-frank-sinatra-louis-armstrong-tribute-late-show/

The Jazz Room: A Frank Sinatra & Louis Armstrong Tribute – Late Show

An evening in two parts featuring a funny look back at thirty years in comedy and Smug’s debut one-hour stand-up comedy special, performed live at the Frog and Bucket Comedy Club. £15. More info: https://frogandbucket.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873661707/events/128642144

Smug Roberts Live & Almost Famous

Frog and Bucket Comedy Club, 102 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LJ, UK

Bombastic and barefaced, theatrical and sincere, it invites us to laugh, to sing, to reckon, and to revel. An undeniable artist-to-watch, Selve aren’t just performing; they’re liberating – they’re throwing open the curtains and letting it all spill out. – Atwood Magazine. More info: https://aatmavenue.co.uk/event/selve-manchester/

Selve // Manchester

Aatma, 1st Floor, 14-16 Faraday St, Manchester M1 1BE, UK

The Hillbilly Moon Explosion are heading back to the UK for a short run of dates calling into Night & Day Manchester on Sunday 17th May. £22.50. More info: https://nightnday.org/show/the-hillbilly-moon-explosion/

The Hillbilly Moon Explosion

Night & Day Cafe, 26 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JN, UK

Kaitlin Butts’ fearless approach to country music is helping her reach new heights. In 2024, Butts released her acclaimed album Roadrunner! £21.50. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/kaitlin-butts/

Kaitlin Butts

For this extra special Jam Night, Matt & Phred’s are teaming up with Manchester Jazz Festival to give all singers and musicians the opportunity to come down to our little backstreet Jazz Club and get on stage to perform. FREE. More info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/jazz-jam

M&P X MJF Jazz Jam

Sit out the rush hour in style, with a special edition concert for MJF, from the Beat the Jams series at Band on the Wall. This intimate set promises an eclectic musical journey from two of Manchester’s leading contemporary jazz performers. £12.50-£15. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/beat-the-jams-tom-thorp-george-king-x-mjf/

Beat the Jams – Tom Thorp & George King X MJF

Roller Derby is not only the name of a feminist roller sport, but also the name of the dream pop duo from Hamburg, formed in 2020. Blending 60s melodies and nostalgic 80s textures with modern indie pop, Roller Derby craft a sound that’s both dreamy and direct. £16.50. More info: https://soupmanchester.com/

Roller Derby

SOUP, 31-33 Spear St, Manchester M1 1DF, UK

Ryan Cassata (he/him) is a multi-talented artist signed to Kill Rock Stars. As an award-winning singer-songwriter, actor, performer, published writer, LGBTQ+ activist, and transgender motivational speaker. £15. More info: https://nightnday.org/show/ryan-cassata/

Ryan Cassata

Get ready for a night of high energy, feel good music spanning decades of iconic hits, showcasing some of your pop favourites and rock anthems and some unexpected throwbacks. If you like loud music, strong vocals and a crowd that’s fully committed, you’ll feel right at home! £5-£10. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/arden-school-of-theatre/

Arden School of Theatre

Fergus Quill and Anna Chandler-King come together to share their mutual love of the composer and bass player Charles Mingus. Booking a table is recommended, but you can just turn up if you’re happy standing. FREE. More info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/three-or-four-shades-of-mingus

Three or Four Shades of Mingus

This very special night of comedy features a special extended headline set from Irish Mock The Week comedy superstar, ED BYRNE! Ed will have two brilliant guest comedians with him on the night – names to be announced soon! £30. More info: https://frogandbucket.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873662286/events/128644565

Ed Byrne Comedy Special!

Beefheart & McQuinn is the new project from UK artist Moby Beefheart aka William Murray (formerly of UK outfit Fur) and Melbourne / Naarm musician Winter McQuinn (Sunfruits, jade imagine). £15.71. More info: https://dice.fm/partner/tickets/event/bbxgbo-beefheart-mcquinn-20th-may-gullivers-manchester-tickets

Beefheart & McQuinn

Gullivers, 109 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LW, UK

Hania Derej Trio - Part of Manchester Jazz Festival. Enjoy free entry and a variety of jazz compositions by Hania, a talented composer and pianist. Booking a table is recommended, but you can just turn up if you’re happy standing. FREE. More info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/hania-derej-trio

Hania Derej Trio

Hailing from a combo of Manchester and the hills of the Peak District, Calico are a 5-piece collective who fuse pop hooks, catchy melodies, and blissful harmonies with elements of jazz, folk, blues, samba, and trip hop. FREE. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/calico-x-mjf/

Calico X MJF

Do you ever go to a gig and think "Oh wow wouldn't it be sick if they brought someone on stage like Taylor Swift or Bruce Springsteen does except it's in a tiny little club with sticky floors?" Maybe you think "I wish it was me up there playing the triangle." If any of these things are true, or you just want to watch people lose their inhibitions and throw caution to the wind, this show is for you. £1. More info: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/Creatures-Comedy-Club/Stage-Invaders---The-Interactive-Karaoke-Comedy-Show--Creatures/42292681/

Stage Invaders - The Interactive Karaoke Comedy Show

Creatures of the Night Comedy Club, 42-44 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE, UK

June's big Hometown Headline! With a singular soulful voice, June Holland has been labelled one of the top emerging talents. Having just recorded her debut EP, she is delighted to bring her new material to Gullivers in Manchester. Grab your tickets now! £10. More info: https://www.fatsoma.com/e/83tk0wvc/june-holland-out-of-the-darkness-into-the-light-ep-tour-manchester

June Holland Out of the Darkness Into the Light EP Tour - Manchester

Well into their fifth decade as a band, Yellowjackets show no signs of slowing down. This event will feature a vibrant blend of styles and influences from their latest release, Fasten Up. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/yellowjackets-mjf/

Yellowjackets – MJF

Beyond the Blue are an exciting, up-and-coming London-based Jazz band. Their music, written and arranged by pianist/composer Jude Lane, draws influence from a wide range of genres ranging from UK dance music to jazz and classical music, with a unique instrumentation of: cello, guitar, alto, tenor and rhythm section. FREE. More info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/beyond-the-blue

Beyond the Blue

The Finite Experience is an Afro Jazz-Fusion project that blends the rhythmic richness of Afrobeat with the improvisational spirit of jazz, inviting listeners into a world where tradition and innovation coexist in harmony. FREE. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/finite-experience-x-mjf/

Finite Experience X MJF

Yoni Mayraz Traverses Fears and Desires on New Album Dogs Bark Babies Cry, Out September 5 on PPK Records. FREE. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/yoni-mayraz-dogs-bark-babies-cry-x-mjf/

Yoni Mayraz – Dogs Bark Babies Cry X MJF

Social Media Sensations and Biological Brothers Wyatt Feegrado & Luke Abranches bring their national Sibling Rivalry Tour to Manchester. £20. More info: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/Creatures-Comedy-Club/Wyatt-Feegrado-and-Luke-Abranches-Sibling-Rivalry-Tour/41996015/

Wyatt Feegrado and Luke Abranches: Sibling Rivalry Tour

Listening to Eliza McLamb lilt her vivid, carefully-placed lyrics rife with empathy, emotion, and sensitivity. £15.87. More info: https://soupmanchester.com/

Eliza McLamb Live

Bel Cobain, the enigmatic East London songstress evoking Pink Floyd and Kate Bush, thrives onstage in authentic confidence. Her boundary-transcending music blends radical ethos, poetic lyrics, and ethereal melodies. £15-£19. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/bel-cobain-x-mjf/

Bel Cobain + [ K S R ] X MJF

As the lead singer of the Inspiral Carpets during their glory years (1989-2011), Tom Hingley’s voice defined an era of Manchester music. Accompanied by his band, The Karpets, he’ll be delivering high-energy performances. £11. More info: https://aatmavenue.co.uk/event/tom-hingley-and-the-karpets-supported-beeside-and-diffuse/

Tom Hingley and The Karpets, Supported by Brian & the Onions, BeeSide and Diffuse

Join us at Queer Lit for a wonderful evening where Kai Spellmeier will be here at Social Refuge to discuss his charming, romantic new title Boy Friends! We're delighted to be hosting the launch event for this brilliant new book, and can't wait to get to chatting with Kai. £5. More info: https://www.socialrefuge.com/event-details/boy-friends-book-launch

Boy Friends - Book Launch

Social Refuge, 27 Great Ancoats St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5AJ, UK

Melanie Baker makes music about everything that hurts and everything that feels just right. Based in Newcastle (UK), she writes with unflinching honesty — songs that sway between noisy catharsis and quiet confession, between absurd humour and deep vulnerability. £13. More info: https://gulliversnq.info/events/melanie-baker/

DHP Presents Melanie Baker With Guests Polite Bureaux

Thiara Collective have come to reclaim their mark on the scene. Infused with the innovative ethos of the UK’s underground scene, their sound is a dynamic fusion of rhythmically audacious grooves, and a melting pot of harmony with a heavy woodwind and brass lead sound. FREE. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/thiara-collective-x-mjf/

Thiara Collective X MJF

Made in Manchester, The Plimp Souls are a conga-crammed, horn-heavy, soul-stuffed nine-piece fuelled by boundless energy and a burning mission to put the fun back into funk. More info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/the-plimp-souls

The Plimp Souls

Hayley is a long-standing Fitz favourite, and she’s here tonight bringing the party vibes for 3 amazing sets! A mixture of pop and post-modern jukebox you’ll soon see why she’s a Fitz legend. More info: https://www.thefitzgeraldmanchester.com/live-music/live-music-with-hayley-russell-4

Live Music With: Hayley Russell

The Fitzgerald, 11 Stevenson Square, Manchester M1 1DB, UK

After a wildly popular sequence of shows on NTS and 2 roadblock nights at the Carpet Factory in London, 2 of the UK’s top diggers are bringing a White Label Showdown to Soup! £9-£11. More info: https://soupmanchester.com/

John Gomez Vs Ruf Dug – White Label Showdown

A day retreat on the theme of the Four Gifts, for trans, non-binary, agender, gender-fluid and gender-questioning people. Just come along, no need to book. More info: https://manchesterbuddhistcentre.org.uk/whats-on/gender-diverse-day-retreat-2026/

Gender Diverse Group Day Retreat

Manchester Buddhist Centre, 16-20 Turner St, Manchester M4 1DZ, UK

Leeds based jazz/electronica trio make their first appearance at Manchester Jazz Festival. Expect drum, synth and saxophone theatrics. For fans of Knower, Corto Alto, Herbie Hancock etc. FREE. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/manchild-x-mjf/

Manchild X MJF

Spend your Saturday afternoon in style with live jazz and a curated brunch pizza menu at Matt & Phred's. Join us for our Jazz Brunch, featuring the Grant Russell Quartet performing classic swinging melodies from the Great American Songbook. More info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/jazz-brunch

M&P’s Jazz Brunch

From the heart of Catalonia to the vibrant streets of New York City, Lau Noah captivates as a self-taught composer and virtuoso guitarist. £15-£19. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/lau-noah-x-mjf-matinee/

Lau Noah X MJF – Matinee

Jon Onabowu is making waves across the music scene with his innovative jazz/fusion sound. FREE. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/jon-onabowu-x-mjf/

Jon Onabowu X MJF

Suboptimal is the immersive, brass and vocal led, live looped extravaganza you never knew your life was missing. Prepare yourselves. This show will take you on a live looped journey through dance. FREE. More info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/suboptimal

Suboptimal

Founded in 2021 by Norwich-based brothers Jonny Silver and Kenny Pleasures, PleasureInc. have made music you can’t quite put your finger on. £12. More info: https://gulliversnq.info/events/pleasure-inc/

Scruff of the Neck presents Pleasure Inc.

Paris-based eight-piece disco-funk band Cotonete return to the UK for the first time in two years. £23-£27. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/cotonete-mjf/

Somewhere Soul Presents Cotonete – MJF

Alligator Gumbo are a 7 piece New Orleans jazz band from Leeds, who have been playing together since 2011. A gig with Alligator Gumbo sees jazz from the hey-day of the New Orleans swing/jazz era.  More info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/alligator-gumbo

Alligator Gumbo

A riot of musicianship, foundation-shaking noise and fearless originality. Flute, harp, drums: a rare combination turned upside down by this explosive, effervescent French trio on their UK debut. £7.50. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/nout-x-mjf/

Nout X MJF

Domonique is a Manchester-based female vocalist who specialises in lounge style. Her jazzy tone provides the ideal vibe for the Fitzgerald. With an eclectic mix of musical genres available, Domonique will entertain you for the night and leave you wanting more. Domonique is a Fitz legend! More info: https://www.thefitzgeraldmanchester.com/live-music/8za84ptftnrn45ladls2jm7cscj9d5

Live Music With: Domonique

Orlane is a 22-year-old French singer based in Manchester. Her love for music began early, with her school years being filled with choirs, bands, musical theatre and talent shows. More info: https://www.thefitzgeraldmanchester.com/live-music/live-music-with-orlane-1

What's On in the Northern Quarter: One-Off

Just to be sure...