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 ensembles and venues.
Want more music? Head to our general Music guide for our latest scoop on the North’s best gigs and festivals.
Performing as part of the RNCM’s Inspirational Artists series, Manchester Collective are back with another high contrast programme, pitting shade against light, chaos against serenity, synthetic against organic.
The RNCM’s Young Explorers series of family-friendly events blasts off this season with a thrilling galactic adventure soundtracked by one of the most successful contesting brass bands in the world.
Known for bridging Classical masterpieces with contemporary repertoire, Jonathan Biss heads to the RNCM to perform two of Schubert’s three last piano sonatas and a specially commissioned piece by Tyshawn Sorey.
The RNCM is making a habit of programming brilliant off-site events in Manchester’s most unique spaces. Last year we had Nature’s Music at Manchester Museum. This year, we get something perhaps even more impressive.
Can one act of defiance shatter generations of tradition, or will history always find a way to repeat itself? Benjamin Britten’s Owen Wingrave grapples with this question in an opera that feels strikingly relevant in 2025.
Jazz lovers rejoice – manchester jazz festival is back with a bumper edition in 2025, as the festival celebrates its 30th anniversary.
The 27th instalment of The Bridgewater Hall’s flagship classical music series is here. True to form, there are some incredible concerts to look forward to, featuring some of the leading ensembles and musicians of our time.
Leeds International Concert Season is on a mission to push boundaries, expand horizons, and ask the question: ‘What haven’t we heard?’ as it presents its city-spanning Sound Out Leeds series.
Home to the Hallé and the BBC Philharmonic orchestras, the Bridgewater Hall attracts some of the biggest names in classical music. Purpose-built to the tune of £42m, the hall was designed around its acoustic needs; it floats on 280 earthquake-proof isolations springs that mute all external noise, perfect for shielding around 250 performances a year from the trams outside.
The Royal Northern College of Music is both a music venue and an academic institution training up some of the country’s finest music students.
Still Manchester’s newest kid on the concert hall block, The Stoller Hall opened its doors in April 2017 to further enhance the city’s already enviable live music provision.
The 1930s Art Deco Philharmonic Hall, home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, gives no hint of the sensuous curves of the auditorium inside from its hard exterior.
Hallé St Peter’s is a deconsecrated Grade-II listed church, once a theatre prop store, then a knitting factory, before being restored and becoming home to the Hallé orchestra.
Manchester’s Albert Hall is an astounding Wesleyan Chapel turned live music venue, regularly hosting classical concerts.
Manchester Cathedral dates back to at least the 1400s and has been rebuilt many times. In current, striking form, it’s still a place of worship, but also host to regular gigs and events.
A hyped name among London’s underground scene, Mark William Lewis brings his skeletal and introspective indie rock to The White Hotel.
from £15.00
Salford’s Sacred Trinity Church becomes a gothic dreamland as Penelope Trappes brings A Requiem to the fitting Chapel Street venue.
from £14
Manchester Collective are back with another high contrast programme, pitting shade against light, chaos against serenity, synthetic against organic.
from £12.50
Through a treasure trove of concerts, the RNCM’s initiative Dance:Music explores the symbiotic relationship between music and dance.
from £0.00
One of the country’s foremost festivals showcasing new and emerging talent, Sounds From The Other City is back over Early May Bank Holiday.
from £30
One of the must-see gigs of the year comes as GRAMMY-nominated, multidisciplinary artist FKA twigs performs at Aviva Studios.
from £37.50
Let the Hallé transport you to a galaxy far, far away…
from £18.00
To celebrate this year’s Record Store Day, ten writers have teamed up with musicians for Sleeve Notes, a unique collaborative performance response creating new writing and music.
from £5.00
Playable art installations, Shakespearean adaptations, contemporary cabaret, hip hop and live photography, Factory International bring another electrifying Spring Season.
Leeds International Concert Season is on a mission to push boundaries, expand horizons, and ask the question: ‘What haven’t we heard?’ as it presents its city-spanning Sound Out Leeds series.
from £10.00
The Stoller Hall celebrate The Phantom of the Opera’s 100th birthday with a live accompaniment by silent movie masters Frame Ensemble.
from £5.50
manchester jazz festival is back this May with 10 days of live music from some of the best northern, national and international musicians operating in the world of contemporary jazz.
0-£30
From bespoke bouquet workshops and poetry royalty to slap-up Sunday roasts and gin tastings, check out our guide of things to do with your mum this Mother's Day.
Take me there
From the team behind the Kazimier, the Invisible Wind Factory is Liverpool’s most eclectic live music venue and nightclub.
District Liverpool is a multi-purpose venue in the Baltic Quarter, hosting gigs, club nights, films, cabaret, festivals and much more.
LIPA providing education and entertainment.
Originally built as a cinema in 1938, The Apollo is a majestic, Grade II listed Art Deco-style music venue.
This self-proclaimed sin slide is one of the most exciting clubs/gig venues the North West has to offer, its reputation travelling internationally.
This former textile mill in one of Leeds’ historic yards is a labyrinthine four-story venue that boasts three bars, a restaurant, three outdoor spaces and a 150-capacity event space.
Sage Gateshead is an impressive music venue.
This warehouse located behind Islington Mill is being brought into creative use by Manchester’s underground music scene.
It's like the Woolies pick'n'mix counter this month in live literature land – so much choice, we're not sure where to start digging in.
DaDaFest’s 40th anniversary line-up, contemporary reimaginings and outlandish fringe, check out our top theatre picks for spring onwards.
Dragon quests, coconut pyramids and topsy-turvy Wonderland adventures... curious?
Not long now, spring is on its way but wave goodbye to winter with some of the North's best food and drink.
David Lynch, International Women's Day and Manchester Film Festival are amongst our cinematic highlights this March.
Cinematic sets, 90s nightclub photography and even new gallery - we have a great mix of exhibitions for you this month.
We’re championing all things underground this month, with a selection of gigs and festivals that embrace the strange.
