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Greater Manchester · 294 gigs · next 4 weeks

What's On in Manchester

4 Nov – 2 Dec

Help keep grassroots venues open in Manchester

—

A UK venue stops hosting live music every 5 days — and turning up is what keeps a room open. Get a free weekly email of gigs in Manchester. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy.

Updated 4 November 2026

At a glance

294
Gigs in
4 weeks
in Manchester, 4 Nov – 2 Dec
In detail
Venues with something on54
Venues tracked164
Open mics59
Busiest nightFriday · 87 gigs

294 gigs listed in Manchester over the next 28 days across 54 venues. Friday is the busiest night with 87. In total we track 164 grassroots venues and 59 regular open mics here.

01 — This weekend

43 gigs

This weekend in Manchester

This weekend in Manchester, Friday to Sunday: 43 gigs. Highlights include Papa Roach, Co-op Live - Premium Experiences, LANDMVRKS at Co-op Live (Friday), M&P's Jazz Brunch at Matt And Phreds (Saturday) and Thin Lizzy at Empire Warrington (Sunday). Each card is one night at one venue, with the start time and the price where the venue publishes it; the four-week list below covers everything after Sunday.

02 — Compared

#1 of 5

How Manchester compares

Counting every upcoming date, not just the next four weeks, there are 796 gigs listed in and around Manchester - first of 5 against its nearest places with live music. Each row counts the gigs, venues and open mics our directories hold in and around that place, refreshed nightly; tap a town for its live music scene.

#PlaceGigs
01Manchester area This page 164 venues · 59 open mics796
02Preston area 27 venues · 17 open mics81
03Rawtenstall area 22 venues · 9 open mics33
04Accrington area 11 venues · 7 open mics15
05Blackburn area 11 venues · 5 open mics15

03 — Gigs

294 gigs

Gigs in Manchester

From 4 Nov to 2 Dec, Manchester has 294 gigs listed at 54 venues - Friday is the busiest night. This is the full four-week run, not just the weekend: every gig we hold, in date order.

Search every Manchester gigEverything upcoming, not just the next four weeks

04 — This week

10 rooms

Where it's on this week

Not the gigs - the rooms. These are the Manchester venues with the most on in the next seven nights, counted from the listings above, so you can see where the city is busiest this week before you pick a night.

#VenueGigs
01Manchester New Century Hall 6
02Manchester The Deaf Institute. 6
03The Abbey 5
04Band On The Wall 4
05Rebellion Manchester 4
06Co-op Live 3
07Depot Mayfield 3
08O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester 3
09Night And Day Cafe 2
10Rockerfellas 2

05 — Venues

164 rooms

Venues in Manchester

Every grassroots venue we track in Manchester - all 164, whether or not it has a gig listed right now - with its capacity, kit and opening times. Use it to find a room near you, then check its page for what is on.

All 164 Manchester venuesCapacity, backline and opening times

06 — Open mics

59 nights

Open mics in Manchester

59 regular open mics run around Manchester on a fixed night each week or month - no tickets, just turn up. Cards show the sign-up time, the slot length and any fee.

All 59 Manchester open micsSign-up times, slots and kit for every night

07 — Support grassroots

Support grassroots music in Manchester

Grassroots venues are where every act you have ever paid to see started out. Manchester still has 164 of them.

From the Northern Quarter to Ancoats, Manchester's music scene never stops. Planning a private party instead? See booking live entertainment in Manchester for bands, singers and DJs for one-off occasions. Booking for the company rather than yourself? See corporate entertainment in Manchester for Christmas parties, awards nights and conferences.

Two pubs a day closed across the UK in the first quarter of 2026, and over the year to July 2025 78 grassroots music venues stopped putting on live music - 30 of them shut for good. Those are the rooms where new acts learn to hold an audience, where a first support slot happens, and where a Tuesday night can still turn into something.

This page exists to make them easy to find. It lists 294 gigs across Manchester over the next four weeks, pulled from the venues themselves and updated daily - alongside the 164 grassroots venues and 59 regular open mic nights we track in the city. No algorithm decides what you see: it is simply everything we know is on. The busiest rooms right now are Manchester New Century Hall, YES (Pink Room) and The Abbey, and the sound leans rock and pop.

The single most useful thing anyone can do is turn up. Buy a ticket, buy a drink at the bar, and go to a night you have not been to before. If you would rather be told than remember, the sign-up below sends Manchester listings straight to your inbox. If you run a venue here, claim your page so people can find you. The Wallop Prestwich open mic on Sundays is an easy first night out.

Go to one this month

Manchester has 294 gigs in the next four weeks and 59 open mic nights running. Choose one, go, and tell someone who would like it - word of mouth still fills small rooms. Fridays are the busiest for gigs here.

Help keep grassroots venues open in Manchester

—

A UK venue stops hosting live music every 5 days — and turning up is what keeps a room open. Get a free weekly email of gigs in Manchester. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy.

All Manchester gigsEverything upcoming, sorted by date
Manchester venues164 grassroots rooms
Manchester open mics59 regular nights
The Manchester sceneVenues, promoters, local rates and members near you
Every city we coverThe same page for every city, updated daily
UK gig directoryEvery upcoming grassroots gig
UK open mic finderStage time near you
UK venue directoryThe rooms behind the gigs

08 — Questions10 answersWhat's on in Manchester

43 gigs in Manchester this weekend (Fri 6 Nov – Sun 8 Nov) - including Papa Roach, Co-op Live - Premium Experiences, LANDMVRKS at Co-op Live (Friday), Damnation presents: A Night of Salvation at The Bread Shed (Friday), The Stylistics at Pyramid and Parr Hall (Friday). The full Friday-to-Sunday list is in This Weekend above, and every gig over the next 28 days is below it.
Counting every upcoming date, there are 796 gigs listed in and around Manchester - first of 5 against its nearest places with live music.
We currently list 294 gigs in Manchester between 4 Nov and 2 Dec, across 54 venues. The listings above are the full set, sorted by date and refreshed daily from the venues themselves — no algorithm decides what you see. For everything beyond this window, browse every upcoming gig in Manchester in the gig directory or every city we cover.
None of the Manchester gigs currently listed are marked free entry, though many venues do not publish a price at all. Manchester open mic nights are your reliable free option — most charge nothing to watch or to play.
Friday, with 87 gigs listed across the next 28 days. Friday: 87 gigs · Saturday: 66 gigs · Sunday: 38 gigs. Filter by This week or This weekend above to narrow it down.
Right now: Manchester New Century Hall, YES (Pink Room), The Abbey. In total we track 164 grassroots venues in Manchester, of which 54 have something listed in this window. Capacity, backline and opening times for each are on the Manchester venue directory.
Manchester has 59 regular open mic nights that we verify on a rolling cycle. Each listing carries the sign-up time, slot length, entry fee and whether a PA and backline are provided — see the Manchester open mic finder, or the UK-wide finder.
Where a Manchester venue publishes a price, the average ticket is £25.06. Grassroots entry is typically a few pounds on the door, and many nights are free. On the other side of the transaction, the Musicians' Union publishes national gig rates as the recognised floor for live engagements, and the ISM publishes guidance for self-employed musicians. Our own UK gig rate benchmarks show what artists are actually being paid by region and act type.
Grassroots rooms are where every act you have paid to see learned to hold an audience. Two pubs a day closed across the UK in the first quarter of 2026, and over the year to July 2025 78 grassroots music venues stopped putting on live music — 30 of them for good. Manchester still has 164 on our list. Music Venue Trust campaigns for them nationally; venues themselves navigate PRS licensing and local authority licensing to keep putting music on. The single most useful thing anyone can do is turn up and buy a drink at the bar.
Listing is free and takes about two minutes — submit through the Manchester gig directory and it is reviewed before it goes live. No account is needed and there is no listing fee. If you run a venue here, claim your venue page to keep its capacity, backline and contact details current. Promoters and venues booking acts can also post paid work or find artists directly.
Every What's On page, A–Z140 pages

What's On across the UKNearby:  Stockport, Rochdale, Bolton, Rawtenstall

All 139 other cities, A–ZGigs

Play or put on gigs in Manchester?

List a gig free, claim your venue, or join as an act - 294 Manchester gigs are already on GigXchange this month.

Live music on stage: a band under the lights
What's On · Greater Manchester

What's On in Manchester

Live music in Manchester over the next four weeks — 4 Nov – 2 Dec. 294 gigs listed in Manchester over the next 28 days across 54 venues. Friday is the busiest night with 87. In total we track 164 grassroots venues and 59 regular open mics here.

Two pubs a day are closing, and last year 78 grassroots venues stopped putting on live music. Get Manchester gigs in your inbox — and go to one.

Help keep grassroots venues open in Manchester

—

A UK venue stops hosting live music every 5 days — and turning up is what keeps a room open. Get a free weekly email of gigs in Manchester. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy.

Updated daily · 294 gigs in Manchester over the next four weeks

Last updated: 4 November 2026

This Weekend in Manchester

This weekend in Manchester, Friday to Sunday: 43 gigs. Highlights include Papa Roach, Co-op Live - Premium Experiences, LANDMVRKS at Co-op Live (Friday), M&P's Jazz Brunch at Matt And Phreds (Saturday) and Thin Lizzy at Empire Warrington (Sunday). Each card is one night at one venue, with the start time and the price where the venue publishes it; the four-week list below covers everything after Sunday.

NOV
6
Papa Roach, Co-op Live - Premium Experiences, LANDMVRKS
Co-op Live·Ancoats & Beswick, Manchester
Friday, 6 November 2026 · 18:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreRock, Alternative Rock, Metal
View details›
NOV
6
Damnation presents: A Night of Salvation
The Bread Shed·Hulme, Manchester
Friday, 6 November 2026 · 18:30–00:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • Genre—
View details›
NOV
6
The Stylistics
Pyramid and Parr Hall·Bewsey and Whitecross, Manchester
Friday, 6 November 2026 · 18:45
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreSoul, R&B
View details›
NOV
6
Ahmed & Friends Live
The Peer Hat·Piccadilly, Manchester
Friday, 6 November 2026 · 19:00–23:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreBlues, Rap
View details›
NOV
6
Tide at Grind: Lepani
Manchester Grind·Deansgate, Manchester
Friday, 6 November 2026 · 19:00–22:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • Genre—
View details›
NOV
6
Wasia Project
Manchester New Century Hall·Piccadilly, Manchester
Friday, 6 November 2026 · 19:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenrePop
View details›
NOV
6
The 900
Rebellion Manchester·Deansgate, Manchester
Friday, 6 November 2026 · 19:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreRock, Punk Rock, Pop
View details›
NOV
6
RnB, Hip Hop + Afrobeats 'Til Late
The Blues Kitchen·Deansgate, Manchester
Friday, 6 November 2026 · 19:00–03:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreR&B, Afrobeat, Hip-Hop
View details›
NOV
6
Skye Newman
O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester·Gorse Hill & Cornbrook, Manchester
Friday, 6 November 2026 · 19:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenrePop
View details›

All 43 this weekend are in the list below →

How Manchester Compares

Counting every upcoming date, not just the next four weeks, there are 796 gigs listed in and around Manchester - first of 5 against its nearest places with live music. Each row counts the gigs, venues and open mics our directories hold in and around that place, refreshed nightly; tap a town for its live music scene.

  1. #1 Manchester area This page 164 venues · 59 open mics 796
  2. #2 Preston area 27 venues · 17 open mics 81
  3. #3 Rawtenstall area 22 venues · 9 open mics 33
  4. #4 Accrington area 11 venues · 7 open mics 15
  5. #5 Blackburn area 11 venues · 5 open mics 15

Gigs in Manchester

From 4 Nov to 2 Dec, Manchester has 294 gigs listed at 54 venues - Friday is the busiest night. This is the full four-week run, not just the weekend: every gig we hold, in date order.

Showing 24 of 294 gigs · page 1 of 13
NOV
4
Cat Power
Albert Hall·Deansgate, Manchester
Wednesday, 4 November 2026 · 19:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreRock, Alternative Rock
View details›
NOV
4
Messa, The Night Eternal
Rebellion Manchester·Deansgate, Manchester
Wednesday, 4 November 2026 · 19:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreRock, Pop
View details›
NOV
4
Worldpeace DMT
Manchester The Deaf Institute.·Hulme, Manchester
Wednesday, 4 November 2026 · 19:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreRock, Indie Rock, Alternative Rock
View details›
NOV
4
Horse Jumper of Love
YES (Pink Room)·Deansgate, Manchester
Wednesday, 4 November 2026 · 19:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreRock, Alternative Rock
View details›
NOV
4
Mercy Kelly
Night And Day Cafe·Piccadilly, Manchester
Wednesday, 4 November 2026 · 19:30–23:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • Genre—
View details›
NOV
4
Hether
The Abbey·Hulme, Manchester
Wednesday, 4 November 2026 · 19:30
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreAlternative Rock
View details›
NOV
4
Franck Carducci
Band On The Wall·Piccadilly, Manchester
Wednesday, 4 November 2026 · 19:30–23:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreRock
View details›
NOV
5
Tove Lo
O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester·Gorse Hill & Cornbrook, Manchester
Thursday, 5 November 2026 · 19:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenrePop
View details›
NOV
5
Cigarettes For Breakfast + Special Guests
Aatma Manchester·Piccadilly, Manchester
Thursday, 5 November 2026 · 19:00–23:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • Genre—
View details›
NOV
5
Warehouse Project, The Streets
Depot Mayfield·Piccadilly, Manchester
Thursday, 5 November 2026 · 19:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenrePop, DJ / Electronic, Hip-Hop
View details›
NOV
5
Eat Static
Rebellion·Deansgate, Manchester
Thursday, 5 November 2026 · 19:00–23:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreDJ / Electronic
View details›
NOV
5
Chanel Beads
Gorilla·Deansgate, Manchester
Thursday, 5 November 2026 · 19:00–23:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • Genre—
View details›
NOV
5
Ole 60
Manchester New Century Hall·Piccadilly, Manchester
Thursday, 5 November 2026 · 19:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreCountry
View details›
NOV
5
Gidiki
The Carlton Club Manchester·Whalley Range, Manchester
Thursday, 5 November 2026 · 19:30–22:30
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreFolk
View details›
NOV
5
Romare (Live)
Band On The Wall·Piccadilly, Manchester
Thursday, 5 November 2026 · 19:30–23:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • Genre—
View details›
NOV
6
Papa Roach, Co-op Live - Premium Experiences, LANDMVRKS
Co-op Live·Ancoats & Beswick, Manchester
Friday, 6 November 2026 · 18:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreRock, Alternative Rock, Metal
View details›
NOV
6
Damnation presents: A Night of Salvation
The Bread Shed·Hulme, Manchester
Friday, 6 November 2026 · 18:30–00:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • Genre—
View details›
NOV
6
The Stylistics
Pyramid and Parr Hall·Bewsey and Whitecross, Manchester
Friday, 6 November 2026 · 18:45
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreSoul, R&B
View details›
NOV
6
Ahmed & Friends Live
The Peer Hat·Piccadilly, Manchester
Friday, 6 November 2026 · 19:00–23:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreBlues, Rap
View details›
NOV
6
Tide at Grind: Lepani
Manchester Grind·Deansgate, Manchester
Friday, 6 November 2026 · 19:00–22:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • Genre—
View details›
NOV
6
Wasia Project
Manchester New Century Hall·Piccadilly, Manchester
Friday, 6 November 2026 · 19:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenrePop
View details›
NOV
6
The 900
Rebellion Manchester·Deansgate, Manchester
Friday, 6 November 2026 · 19:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreRock, Punk Rock, Pop
View details›
NOV
6
RnB, Hip Hop + Afrobeats 'Til Late
The Blues Kitchen·Deansgate, Manchester
Friday, 6 November 2026 · 19:00–03:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenreR&B, Afrobeat, Hip-Hop
View details›
NOV
6
Skye Newman
O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester·Gorse Hill & Cornbrook, Manchester
Friday, 6 November 2026 · 19:00
  • Entry—
  • Tickets—
  • AgeAll ages
  • GenrePop
View details›

See every upcoming gig in Manchester →

Where It's On This Week

Not the gigs - the rooms. These are the Manchester venues with the most on in the next seven nights, counted from the listings above, so you can see where the city is busiest this week before you pick a night.

  1. #1 Manchester New Century Hall 6
  2. #2 Manchester The Deaf Institute. 6
  3. #3 The Abbey 5
  4. #4 Band On The Wall 4
  5. #5 Rebellion Manchester 4
  6. #6 Co-op Live 3
  7. #7 Depot Mayfield 3
  8. #8 O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester 3
  9. #9 Night And Day Cafe 2
  10. #10 Rockerfellas 2

All 164 Manchester venues →   All 59 open mics →

Venues in Manchester

Every grassroots venue we track in Manchester - all 164, whether or not it has a gig listed right now - with its capacity, kit and opening times. Use it to find a room near you, then check its page for what is on.

Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Globe
Glossop★★★★★ (—)
Glossop pub with 30-plus years of gigs upstairs, vegan food and its own brewery
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon17:00–22:00
  • TueClosed
  • Wed17:00–00:00
  • Thu17:00–00:00
  • Fri16:00–00:00
  • Sat13:00–00:00
  • Sun13:00–23:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Grand Bar
Warrington★★★★★ (—)
Cocktail and rooftop bar in Warrington with tribute-act nights
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • TueClosed
  • WedClosed
  • ThuClosed
  • Fri12:00–02:00
  • Sat12:00–02:00
  • Sun12:00–20:00
View venue›
c. 120
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Irish Club
Warrington › Orford, Warrington★★★★★ (—)
Warrington social club on Orford Lane with tribute nights most weekends.
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
  • Tue—
  • Wed—
  • Thu—
  • Fri—
  • Sat—
  • Sun—
View venue›
c. 80
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Juggernaut Brew Co'
Ashton-under-Lyne★★★★★ (—)
Craft brewery with DJ events.
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
  • Tue—
  • Wed—
  • Thu—
  • Fri—
  • Sat—
  • Sun—
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Kings Arms
Salford★★★★★ (—)
Salford's most bohemian back street boozer.
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
  • Tue—
  • Wed—
  • Thu—
  • Fri—
  • Sat—
  • Sun—
View venue›
c. 200
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Lowry
Salford › Salford Quays★★★★★ (—)
Award-winning arts centre and theatre on Salford Quays
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • Tue11:00–23:00
  • Wed11:00–23:00
  • Thu11:00–23:00
  • Fri11:00–23:00
  • Sat10:00–23:00
  • Sun10:00–23:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Monaco
Wigan › Hindley, Wigan★★★★★ (—)
Pop and rap venue.
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
  • Tue—
  • Wed—
  • Thu—
  • Fri—
  • Sat—
  • Sun—
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Old Market Square, Warrington
Warrington › Golden Square, Warrington town centre★★★★★ (—)
Warrington's open-air town-square concert space at Golden Square
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
  • Tue—
  • Wed—
  • Thu—
  • Fri—
  • Sat—
  • Sun—
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Salty Dog
Northwich★★★★★ (—)
Independent Northwich High Street pub built around beer and music
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
  • Tue—
  • Wed—
  • Thu—
  • Fri—
  • Sat—
  • Sun—
View venue›
c. 100
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Spinning Top
Stockport★★★★★ (—)
Stockport pub with live entertainment.
  • PA system
  • Drum kit
  • Guitar amp
  • Bass amp
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon18:15–00:00
  • Tue17:00–00:00
  • Wed17:00–00:00
  • Thu17:00–00:00
  • Fri17:00–00:00
  • Sat17:00–01:00
  • Sun16:00–23:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Star Inn
Salford★★★★★ (—)
Co-operatively owned Salford local with a monthly folk club open mic
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon16:00–23:30
  • Tue16:00–23:30
  • Wed16:00–23:30
  • Thu16:00–23:30
  • Fri12:00–00:00
  • Sat12:00–00:00
  • Sun12:00–23:00
View venue›
c. 200
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Strines Nightingale
Stockport › Marpleridge, Marple★★★★★ (—)
Independent country freehouse and grassroots music venue near Marple
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • TueClosed
  • WedClosed
  • Thu18:00–22:00
  • Fri17:00–22:00
  • Sat13:00–22:00
  • Sun13:00–21:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Three Barrels
Urmston★★★★★ (—)
Small Mediterranean-style bar in a converted Urmston shop unit with continental lagers and a roughly monthly Sunday open mic
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • TueClosed
  • Wed16:30–22:00
  • Thu16:30–22:00
  • Fri16:30–23:00
  • Sat14:00–23:00
  • Sun14:00–20:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Venue Bolton
Bolton★★★★★ (—)
Churchgate venue in Bolton with ticketed live shows
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
  • Tue—
  • Wed—
  • Thu—
  • Fri—
  • Sat—
  • Sun—
View venue›
c. 100
Claim this venue
The Wedge
Oldham › Town Centre★★★★★ (—)
Rock and live music venue in Oldham
  • PA system
  • Drum kit
  • Guitar amp
  • Bass amp
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
  • Tue—
  • Wed—
  • Thu—
  • Fri—
  • Sat—
  • Sun—
View venue›
c. 300
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The White Hotel
Salford › Dickinson Street, Salford★★★★★ (—)
Manchester rock, alt and punk venue.
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
  • Tue—
  • Wed—
  • Thu—
  • Fri—
  • Sat—
  • Sun—
View venue›
c. 200
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Witchwood
Ashton-under-Lyne › Town Centre★★★★★ (—)
Rock and live music venue in Ashton-under-Lyne
  • PA system
  • Drum kit
  • Guitar amp
  • Bass amp
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon16:00–00:00
  • Tue16:00–00:00
  • Wed16:00–00:00
  • Thu16:00–00:00
  • Fri16:00–00:00
  • Sat16:00–00:00
  • Sun16:00–00:00
View venue›
c. 250
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
Whittles Tokyo Project
Oldham★★★★★ (—)
Where Music Matters — Oldham's grassroots live-music venue
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • TueClosed
  • WedClosed
  • ThuClosed
  • Fri19:00–00:00
  • Sat19:00–01:00
  • Sun15:00–21:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
Woodford Community Centre
Stockport › Woodford Green★★★★★ (—)
Community centre with tribute events.
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon08:00–22:00
  • Tue08:00–22:00
  • Wed08:00–22:00
  • Thu08:00–22:00
  • Fri08:00–23:45
  • Sat08:00–23:45
  • Sun08:00–22:00
View venue›
c. 80
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
Ye Olde Man & Scythe
Bolton★★★★★ (—)
One of Britain's oldest pubs, with band nights and jam/open mic sessions.
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon11:00–23:00
  • Tue11:00–23:00
  • Wed11:00–23:00
  • Thu11:00–23:00
  • Fri11:00–00:30
  • Sat11:00–00:30
  • Sun12:00–23:00
View venue›

All 164 Manchester venues →

Open mics in Manchester

59 regular open mics run around Manchester on a fixed night each week or month - no tickets, just turn up. Cards show the sign-up time, the slot length and any fee.

Northern Quarter staple
EVERY
Tue
The Castle Hotel
Northern Quarter, Manchester
Next Tue 10 NovStarts 20:00
  • Sign-up19:30
  • Slots12 min
  • EntryNo fee listed
  • PAProvided
  • BacklineFull
  • Open toMusicians
View details›
EVERY
Tue
Grafton Arms
Manchester
Next Tue 10 NovStarts 20:30
  • Sign-up19:30
  • Slots12 min
  • EntryNo fee listed
  • PAProvided
  • Backline—
  • Open toMusicians
View details›
2-WK
Wed
The Rising Sun
Manchester
Starts 18:30
  • Sign-up19:30
  • Slots12 min
  • EntryNo fee listed
  • PAProvided
  • Backline—
  • Open toMusicians
View details›
EVERY
Wed
Lions Den Manchester
Manchester
Next Wed 4 NovStarts 19:00
  • Sign-up18:30
  • Slots12 min
  • EntryNo fee listed
  • PAProvided
  • Backline—
  • Open toMusicians, Comedians, Poets
View details›
LAST
Wed
Aatma
14-16 Faraday St, Manchester
Next Wed 25 NovStarts 19:00
  • Sign-up19:30
  • Slots9 min
  • Entry£5.00
  • PAProvided
  • Backline—
  • Open toMusicians
View details›
2-WK
Wed
The Art of Tea
Didsbury, Manchester
Starts 20:00
  • Sign-up19:30
  • Slots15 min
  • EntryNo fee listed
  • PAProvided
  • Backline—
  • Open toMusicians
View details›
OTHER
Wed
The Copper Bar
Northern Quarter, Manchester
Starts 20:00
  • Sign-up19:30
  • Slots12 min
  • EntryNo fee listed
  • PAProvided
  • Backline—
  • Open toMusicians
View details›
EVERY
Wed
The Fitzgerald
Manchester
Starts 20:00
  • Sign-up19:30
  • Slots12 min
  • EntryNo fee listed
  • PAProvided
  • Backline—
  • Open toMusicians
View details›
MONTH
Wed
Gullivers
Manchester
Starts 20:00
  • Sign-up19:30
  • Slots12 min
  • EntryNo fee listed
  • PAProvided
  • Backline—
  • Open toMusicians
View details›
EVERY
Wed
Grand Central Alt Bar & Live Music Venue
80 Oxford St, Manchester
Next Wed 4 NovStarts 20:00
  • Sign-up19:30
  • Slots12 min
  • EntryNo fee listed
  • PAProvided
  • Backline—
  • Open toMusicians
View details›
Hosted by Izzie Walsh
EVERY
Wed
The Pen & Pencil
Northern Quarter, Manchester
Next Wed 4 NovStarts 20:00
  • Sign-up19:30
  • Slots15 min
  • EntryNo fee listed
  • PAProvided
  • Backline—
  • Open toMusicians, Comedians, Poets
View details›
EVERY
Wed
YES
Manchester
Next Wed 4 NovStarts 20:00
  • Sign-up19:30
  • Slots12 min
  • EntryNo fee listed
  • PAProvided
  • Backline—
  • Open toMusicians
View details›

All 59 Manchester open mics →

Support grassroots music in Manchester

Grassroots venues are where every act you have ever paid to see started out. Manchester still has 164 of them.

From the Northern Quarter to Ancoats, Manchester's music scene never stops. Planning a private party instead? See booking live entertainment in Manchester for bands, singers and DJs for one-off occasions. Booking for the company rather than yourself? See corporate entertainment in Manchester for Christmas parties, awards nights and conferences.

Two pubs a day closed across the UK in the first quarter of 2026, and over the year to July 2025 78 grassroots music venues stopped putting on live music - 30 of them shut for good. Those are the rooms where new acts learn to hold an audience, where a first support slot happens, and where a Tuesday night can still turn into something.

This page exists to make them easy to find. It lists 294 gigs across Manchester over the next four weeks, pulled from the venues themselves and updated daily - alongside the 164 grassroots venues and 59 regular open mic nights we track in the city. No algorithm decides what you see: it is simply everything we know is on. The busiest rooms right now are Manchester New Century Hall, YES (Pink Room) and The Abbey, and the sound leans rock and pop.

The single most useful thing anyone can do is turn up. Buy a ticket, buy a drink at the bar, and go to a night you have not been to before. If you would rather be told than remember, the sign-up below sends Manchester listings straight to your inbox. If you run a venue here, claim your page so people can find you. The Wallop Prestwich open mic on Sundays is an easy first night out.

Go to one this month

Manchester has 294 gigs in the next four weeks and 59 open mic nights running. Choose one, go, and tell someone who would like it - word of mouth still fills small rooms. Fridays are the busiest for gigs here.

Help keep grassroots venues open in Manchester

—

A UK venue stops hosting live music every 5 days — and turning up is what keeps a room open. Get a free weekly email of gigs in Manchester. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy.

What's on in Manchester — FAQs

Common questions about live music in Manchester, answered with this week's live data.

43 gigs in Manchester this weekend (Fri 6 Nov – Sun 8 Nov) - including Papa Roach, Co-op Live - Premium Experiences, LANDMVRKS at Co-op Live (Friday), Damnation presents: A Night of Salvation at The Bread Shed (Friday), The Stylistics at Pyramid and Parr Hall (Friday). The full Friday-to-Sunday list is in This Weekend above, and every gig over the next 28 days is below it.
Counting every upcoming date, there are 796 gigs listed in and around Manchester - first of 5 against its nearest places with live music.
We currently list 294 gigs in Manchester between 4 Nov and 2 Dec, across 54 venues. The listings above are the full set, sorted by date and refreshed daily from the venues themselves — no algorithm decides what you see. For everything beyond this window, browse every upcoming gig in Manchester in the gig directory or every city we cover.
None of the Manchester gigs currently listed are marked free entry, though many venues do not publish a price at all. Manchester open mic nights are your reliable free option — most charge nothing to watch or to play.
Friday, with 87 gigs listed across the next 28 days. Friday: 87 gigs · Saturday: 66 gigs · Sunday: 38 gigs. Filter by This week or This weekend above to narrow it down.
Right now: Manchester New Century Hall, YES (Pink Room), The Abbey. In total we track 164 grassroots venues in Manchester, of which 54 have something listed in this window. Capacity, backline and opening times for each are on the Manchester venue directory.
Manchester has 59 regular open mic nights that we verify on a rolling cycle. Each listing carries the sign-up time, slot length, entry fee and whether a PA and backline are provided — see the Manchester open mic finder, or the UK-wide finder.
Where a Manchester venue publishes a price, the average ticket is £25.06. Grassroots entry is typically a few pounds on the door, and many nights are free. On the other side of the transaction, the Musicians' Union publishes national gig rates as the recognised floor for live engagements, and the ISM publishes guidance for self-employed musicians. Our own UK gig rate benchmarks show what artists are actually being paid by region and act type.
Grassroots rooms are where every act you have paid to see learned to hold an audience. Two pubs a day closed across the UK in the first quarter of 2026, and over the year to July 2025 78 grassroots music venues stopped putting on live music — 30 of them for good. Manchester still has 164 on our list. Music Venue Trust campaigns for them nationally; venues themselves navigate PRS licensing and local authority licensing to keep putting music on. The single most useful thing anyone can do is turn up and buy a drink at the bar.
Listing is free and takes about two minutes — submit through the Manchester gig directory and it is reviewed before it goes live. No account is needed and there is no listing fee. If you run a venue here, claim your venue page to keep its capacity, backline and contact details current. Promoters and venues booking acts can also post paid work or find artists directly.
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Naumaan Zahid
Founder & Builder

Live gigs across the UK, kept fresh. Spot something wrong or missing? Let me know and I’ll fix it.

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