Festival season is well and truly underway and it's always an exciting time for artists and music fans alike. While chaotic, the pull of live music is like no other - especially in the British sunshine - and people travel for miles glowing in the anticipation of weekends filled with top-class performances, friends and festival grub.
Whether you've been touring the UK to catch your dream line-ups, or if you've been following all the action on TV, it's no doubt been an unforgettable summer for music enthusiasts. It’s also a busy time for Manchester’s very own live scene, with a whole host of shows billed for venues across the city.
So, here’s a bumper round-up of the best gigs going on in Manchester in September 2022, selected by the MEN's What's On team. There's a mix of home-grown Manchester talent, as well as musicians from across the UK and overseas - from as far as Japan and Australia.
Read more: Courteeners announce huge Heaton Park gig for summer 2023
So wherever you end up, have fun. This city is alive (with the sound of music).
NIMMO - Night & Day - September 4
Two best friends hailing from London, NIMMO are a queer pop duo to be reckoned with. Sarah Nimmo and Reva Gauntlett released their debut EP in 2018, followed up by album The Power a year later.
Their latest single Company, a dance anthem oozing with mid-90's euphoria, signals that NIMMO's second album is on the way. The pair, who also frequent the top London parties as DJs, play Night & Day as part of the The National Lottery's Revive Live Tour with Music Venue Trust.
NIMMO will stop off at Glasgow and Hove before taking on Manchester.
Barbara - Gullivers - September 7
Brothers Henry and John Tydeman - known as Barbara - will be bringing their satirical tunes all the way from Brighton. While their music is American-inspired, with nods to Broadway and Glam Pop, their lyrics remain quintessentially British.
Last year Barbara drew acclaim for their performance at The Isle of Wight Festival, and their first two releases were supported by BBC Introducing. With a number of tantalising collaborations on the horizon 2022 promises to be a breakthrough year.
Who needs to travel all the way to New York for a Broadway experience? You can expect a night filled with wit and toe-tapping tunes at Gullivers.
Will Sansom - Castle - September 8
For 10 years now, Will Samson has been steadily curating a catalogue of albums and EPs that explore the spaces between folk and electronic. His latest album, the nine-track Active Imagination, was released in May 2022.
Alongside headline shows across Europe and the UK, he has previously toured with artists such as S. Carey, The Album Leaf and Kurt Vile. It’s sure to be a special gig at Castle, bursting with ambient sounds you can really get lost in.
The Xcerts - Night & Day - September 11
The Xcerts , the Scottish veteran three-piece, visit Night and Day this month. They’re playing in Manchester for the first time since they released the EP, ‘So No One Told You Life Was Going To Be This Way’, in 2021. It’s actually the first UK tour the band have had this decade, made possible by The National Lottery's Revive Live Tour with Music Venue Trust, so don’t miss them because it might be a while before they come back round.
That EP is also their first release since their 2018 album ‘Hold on to Your Heart’, which has a cult following, but the newest material is actually a covers record. Whatever is in their set, expect big choruses, bigger riffs, and a feel-good vibe throughout the night.
Ducks Ltd - Yes (Basement) - September 13
Jangles galore, here. Ducks Ltd split their time between Canada and Australia, so a UK tour will be something of a rarity. Their last album — ‘Modern Fiction’ — was actually their debut, and was perhaps overlooked by audiences on this side of the Atlantic (and Pacific).
It’s a record full of energy, spirit, and enough nostalgia to keep you smiling.
There’s a real chance that, given the right amount of time and the right amount of luck, Ducks Ltd could become a cult sensation here. So get yourself downstairs in Yes, because it could be the start of something really special.
Tricot - Yes (The Pink Room) - September 13
Another international act with the potential to draw in a cult following is Tricot . The Japanese outfit have put out six albums since their formation in 2010, each more popular than the last. If you’re thinking this is twee-teen-pop, though, you’re wrong. It’s serious rock music with plenty of heart and soul. It’s also likely to bring the house down in the Pink Room — Yes’ larger venue — so be ready to use hearing protection.
To characterise Tricot as a four-piece band who scream their songs is also incorrect. There’s plenty of thought from the Kyoto gang, and some elements of post-Brexit new wave that the likes of Black Country, New Road and Squid would be proud of.
Baby Strange - Night and Day - September 18
One week on from the first Scottish band to play Night and Day this month, Baby Strange are rocking up. The Glaswegians have just released their second album, ‘World Below’, six years on from their debut ‘Want It Need It’.
Not dissimilar to The Xcerts, there’s a heavier, darker side to Baby Strange. That’s perhaps unsurprising, given they take their name from a T-Rex song, but there’s an extra level of linear drive to their work, as well.
Nevertheless, expect noise, a singalong, and something that will genuinely capture your attention.
Superorganism - Gorilla - September 20
Originating from the capital city, art pop outfit Superorganism will be making a special appearance in Manchester this month. A combination of psychedelic indie pop and funky electronica, the eight-piece have found fans in the likes of Frank Ocean, Vampire Weekend and Gorillaz.
The Londoners first introduced their tunes to the world in 2017 and in July this year they dropped their second album, World Wide Pop. The LP boasts an international set of collaborators including Stephen Malkmus, CHAI, Pi Ja Ma, Dylan Cartlidge and even actor Gen Hoshino.
Just Mustard - Band on the Wall - September 22
Released a few months ago, Just Mustard’s second album, ‘Heart Under’, has really shown the evolution of the band. Hailing from Dundalk, Ireland, the group’s darker, shoegazey undertones are coming along very nicely, and making their sound much fuller than their first record.
That’s not to say that the 2018 album — called ‘Wednesday’ — was a poor one, but it is to say that the band are moving in the right direction and have plenty of creative zeal, even after such a long gap between releases.
There will be an element of doom, and high drama, to their performance — so don’t miss out.
Katy J Pearson - Gorilla - September 22
Guitarist and vocalist Katy J Pearson will be stopping off in Manchester this month as part of her 19-date UK tour. Influenced by country music and fusing American indie pop with folk rock, the Gloucestershire-based songwriter isn't afraid to experiment with her sound.
Back in July, Katy released her latest album Sound of the Morning, which she says was 'a labour of love' and 'such a joy to collaborate with so many talented individuals' on. As an artist who professes to 'always strive for the bittersweetness of things,' Katy delves into the darker themes of life - but balances it out with the light, making producing music a cathartic experience for her.
Prepare to get deep in your feels while having a good old boogie at Gorilla.
Obongjayar - Band On The Wall - September 25
You may never have heard of Obongjayar . But you’ll have listened to him.
The Nigerian musician has most famously appeared on Little Simz’s track ‘Point and Kill’, which is one of the stand-outs from her Mercury Prize-nominated ‘Sometimes I Might Be An Introvert’. She is favourite to take home British music’s most respected prize, and Obongjayar — real name Steven Umoh — will richly deserve any praise that comes his way with it, if she does win.
Saying that, his talent is enormous. His new solo album, ‘Some Nights I Dream Of Doors’, was released in May and has a scarcely believable level of detail, musicianship, and lyrical innovation. Whoever squeezes into Band on the Wall on September 25 is in for a treat.
Porij - Gorilla - September 25
Manchester natives Porij have been on-the-go this summer, performing at a host of festivals including Glastonbury and Latitude. The group was also hand-picked by electro group Metronomy to join them on tour.
On September 7, the four-piece will release their hotly-tipped EP Outlines. Porij previously teased single Automatic from the track list, a funky tune which vocalist Eggy says 'acknowledges how addictive' feeling cool is 'without trying to take yourself too seriously'.
Patching together club tropes and indie pop elements, the band’s music has been championed by the likes of the NME, The Guardian and the BBC. At its core Porij has been described as a vivid pop experience, driven by an urge to connect - so it’s a show not to be missed at Gorilla this month.
Freak Slug - Night and Day - September 25
Freak Slug is another one of Manchester’s bright sparks. Having only released one album that was 22 minutes long last year, Freak Slug — which is the work of one woman, Xenya Genovese — has just served up another EP, called ‘I’m in Love’.
That release is full of jangly, synth inspired work which is the perfect soundtrack for summer. There are art-pop elements too, and it’s all completed by a beautiful vocal.
Unfortunately, she plays Night and Day four days after the equinox, so we’ll firmly be in autumn by then. Forget that, though, and you’ve got one last hurrah.
The Lounge Society - Gorilla - September 30
How do you know The Lounge Society is likely to make it? They’re signed to Speedy Wunderground, the indie label that’s had so much talent since its creation in 2013 that it will take a good half hour of Googling to locate every one of them.
And they know how to pick winners, as evidenced here. The Lounge Society’s first release back in 2020 showed their promise as a post-punk outfit, and the Hebden Bridge set just kept on improving.
Their latest single, ‘Upheaval’, shows how they’ve been able to craft together their ideas into a singular, driven narrative. It’s joyous to behold, and their set on the last day of the month is not one to miss.
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