THINGS TO DO

We break down the highlights of 2020

JANUARY FEBRUARY

MCR OPEN EXHIBITION 2020 @ HOME: 18/01/20-15/03/20

An open-entry art show celebrating the work of Greater Manchester artists. From January to March, the HOME Gallery will contain over 500 works of art from local residents, selected by a panel of art experts and community representatives. Submit your own work - it’s open to people of any background and any level of experience. EXTRAORDINARY WALL OF SILENCE @ HOME: 12-22/02/20

A bilingual performance in both English and British Sign Language, Extraordinary Wall of Silence tells the coming-of-age stories of three young deaf people who are told they are impaired and need fixing. Another vital performance from theatre company Ad Infinitum, a group described as “one of contemporary theatre’s vital organs”.

MARIKA HACKMAN @ GORILLA: 24/02/20

Known for her open, honest and often quite dark lyrics, Marika Hackman blends a mix of genres with indie rock and contemporary folk. Her first mini-album was produced by Alt-J’s Charlie Andrew and she first gained popularity after supporting Laura Marling on her 2013 European and Australian tour.

LANA DEL REY @ MANCHESTER ARENA: 26/02/20 Now six albums in, Lana Del Rey remains a household name after her huge ascent in 2012 following the release of her sophomore album Born to Die. Still containing a mix of genres from pop, baroque and trip hop, Del Rey puts on a captivating show and refuses to be put in a box.

MICHAEL KIWANUKA @ O2 APOLLO: 07/03/20

Winner of BBC’s Sound of 2012, Kiwanuka has released two albums to critical acclaim. Combining R&B, blues, soul and indie with his strong voice to create a unique sound which saw him top the charts with 2016’s album Love & Hate, his third album, Kiwanuka, is due out in October and is expected to be just as mesmerising.

ROCK AGAINST RACISM @ GALLERY OLDHAM: 14/03-31-05-2020

Gallery Oldham presents a nationally touring exhibition of photographs by Yorkshire-born Syd Shelton capturing the legendary Rock Against Racism movement. The collected images offer a fascinating snapshot of the raw energy, optimism and excitement that defined Rock Against Racism, as well as the social context out of which it emerged.

MILTON JONES @ THE LOWRY: 21/03/20

Mock the Week’s resident one-liner is headed to The Lowry to bombard you with more jokes than you can shake a stick at. Known for his deadpan delivery and zany dress sense, Jones’ unique wordplay creates jokes guaranteed to have you in stitches.

PLANET EARTH II LIVE IN CONCERT @ MANCHESTER ARENA: 27/03/20

Following the success of Blue Planet II’s orchestral tour, the BBC are back with Plant Earth II - Live in Concert. Featuring specially-selected footage in 4K ultra HD on a huge screen, the images will be accompanied by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. Expect rousing renditions of Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack alongside stunning footage. A unique experience not to be missed.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: CRYSTAL @ MANCHESTER ARENA: 01-05/04/20

Cirque du Soleil is bringing its one-of-a-kind arena show blending circus arts and the world of ice-skating into its coolest arena show yet - CRYSTAL. CRYSTAL features the story of a creative, misunderstood young woman and displays a multitude of ice skating styles from freelance to extreme.

THE KITE RUNNER @ THE LOWRY: 07-11/04/20

Coming to Manchester straight from its success in the West End, The Kite Runner, based on Khaled Hosseini’s international bestselling novel, is a haunting tale of friendship in a country on the verge of a devastating war. LOWKEY @ GORILLA: 15/04/20

Not only a rapper but also a playwright and political activist, UK hip-hop star Lowkey is back after a hiatus with a new album that’s been described as “the most important album of the decade.” Soundtrack to the Struggle 2, is a project full of political and social comments and critiques on today’s society.

HINDS @ ACADEMY 3: 20/04/20

Spanish indie-rockers Hinds, take major influence from The Strokes, Ty Segall and Black Lips but still manage to put their own spin on it. As huge advocates for Keychange’s 50/50 pledge, expect a night full of girl power.

MAY

SOUNDS FROM THE OTHER CITY @ ISLINGTON MILL: 02/05/20

By showcasing new and emerging talent, Sounds From The Other City has become an underground favourite for music lovers. The 2020 event will take place throughout the festival’s spiritual home of Chapel Street, as the community festival of art, new music, and culture returns to the pubs, churches and community corners of Salford.

PLAY EXPO @ BOWLERS: 09/05/20

The North’s biggest video gaming expo is back for 2020 at Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Manchester. The show will feature areas devoted to all elements of gaming including: indie and modern games, retro consoles and computers, classic arcade machines and pinball tournaments and cosplay. DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL @ CITY CENTRE: 22-23/05/20

The award-winning, multi-venue festival Dot To Dot returns to Manchester in May 2020, bringing a huge lineup of the best in underground and emerging talent to the city. Acts announced so far include Easy Life and Skinny Living.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WEEKENDER @ VICTORIA PARK: 23/05/20

Neighbourhood Weekender will take over Victoria Park across the May bank holiday weekend. Ian Brown, former The Stone Roses frontman, will return to his hometown of Warrington for his first major solo headline in almost a decade. Brown is joined by Catfish and the Bottlemen, The Wombats, Miles Kane and Pale Waves.

KING STREET FESTIVAL @ KING STREET: 06-07/06/20

This annual festival celebrates King Street’s timeless architecture and rich history with a weekend of live music, historical tours, VIP shopping experiences, a pop-up gin bar and cocktail trail, and the return of the prestigious Manchester Flower Show.

LIAM GALLAGHER @ HEATON PARK: 12/06/20

Liam Gallagher will play a huge hometown show at Heaton Park this summer as part of his Why Me? Why Not. tour. The former Oasis frontman will play the iconic Manchester park on the eve of Parklife Festival, joined by a host of special guests (to be announced soon). PARKLIFE 2020 @ HEATON PARK: 13/06/20

Parklife festival returns to Manchester this June, celebrating its 10th anniversary. The Parklife 2020 lineup will feature a headline set from Tyler, The Creator, his first solo UK headline show outside of London, and sets from Skepta, Lewis Capaldi, Khalid and more.

MANCHESTER DAY 2020 @ CITY CENTRE: 21/06/20

Manchester Day is an annual event that celebrates everything great about the city. It is a day for families, residents and visitors to get together and celebrate all things Mancunian that have made Manchester one of the world’s most iconic cities. This year’s theme is ‘Our Planet, Our City’.

JULY

SOUNDS OF THE CITY: HACIENDA CLASSICAL @ CASTLEFIELD BOWL: 11/07/20 BLUEDOT FESTIVAL @ JODRELL BANK DISCOVERY CENTRE: 23-26/07/20

Hacienda Classical concerts bring together a mixed crowd and lively atmosphere, with a set played as a continuous live DJ mix where vocalists, choir, orchestra and guests all combine creating a vibrant, exciting performance.

BILLIE EILISH @ MANCHESTER ARENA: 21-22/07/20

Singer-songwriter Billie Eilish brings her Where Do We Go? World Tour to the city, performing two dates. The global, charttopping artist won Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist at this year’s Grammy’s for her single ‘Bad Guy’ and her debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go. Bluedot is a festival of discovery located in the shadow of the world-renowned Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank. Recent Bluedot Festival lineups have featured music from across the genre spectrum.

MANCHESTER MEGA MELA @ PLATT FIELDS: 25-26/07/20

Manchester Mega Mela is the largest celebration of South Asian Culture in the North of England. The Mela is a two day fun-filled event featuring live music, dance, food and traditional arts and crafts bringing the sights, sounds and spicy aromas of South Asia to Platt Fields Park.