FutureEverything 2015: Don't miss it

Polly Checkland Harding

These three events are our top picks from the hotly-tipped FutureEverything Festival 2015 – not to be missed, friends.

2015 is a bit-hitter, with the return of Manchester International Festival, the reopening of the Whitworth and, of course, FutureEverything Festival. We particularly didn’t want you to miss out on tickets for some of the most hotly-tipped events coming up, though: FutureEverything present Ólafur Arnalds, Ariel Pink and the UK premiere of audio-visual performance The Well, all as part of their 20th anniversary festival.

One of the most hotly-tipped events in 2015

As well a new film programme in the RNCM lecture theatre, an After Hours Hub and the annual FutureEverthing conference – featuring Julia Kaganskiy, Warren Ellis, Jer Thorp and more – 2015’s festival includes a performance by cross-genre Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds (26 Feb, 8.30pm. Tickets £20 adv). Presented by Hey! Manchester and FutureEverything and hosted at the RNCM, this promises to be a highlight event in the safe hands of Arnalds, who has created music both for the Hunger Games film trilogy and the TV series Broadchurch. Returning to Manchester is LA-based multi-instrumentalist and lo fi artist Ariel Pink: he brings a seven piece band on this visit, to perform new work from his latest LP pom pom (RNCM, 28 Feb, 8pm. Tickets £15).

Last, but not least, comes an event that blurs the boundaries between performance, light art and engineering: for The Well by visual artist Emmanuel Biard and electronic musician Koreless, a five piece male choir both sings and responds to a bespoke light installation (RNCM, 25 Feb, 8pm. Tickets £12). It’s a way of investigating scale, distance and where the audio and visual intersect in performance – and, essentially, it looks awesome. Approach early 2015 as you mean to go on; we’ll be diving feet first into a year of cultural goodness. Come on in, the water’s lovely.

Spotlight on

Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Mohair Man, 1991, by Dave Swindells
Exhibitions in the North

Cinematic sets, 90s nightclub photography and even new gallery - we have a great mix of exhibitions for you this month.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

DaDaFest’s 40th anniversary line-up, contemporary reimaginings and outlandish fringe, check out our top theatre picks for spring onwards.

We shelter here sometimes promo image. Featuring My Dog Sighs inside and abandoned building.
Cinema in the North

David Lynch, International Women's Day and Manchester Film Festival are amongst our cinematic highlights this March.

Poet Imtiaz Dharker. Photo by Ayesha Dharker
Literature Events in the North

Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.

GROVE
Music in the North

We’re championing all things underground this month, with a selection of gigs and festivals that embrace the strange.

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.

Good Fridaze Family Social at Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we edge towards spring we take a look at the best events and activities for families, from theatre to festivals, dinosaur adventures to family raves.