Green Island Festival at Hulme Garden Centre
Johnny James, Managing Editor
Hulme’s Green Island Festival returns this summer, bringing a three-part series of events to Hulme Garden Centre and the iconic NIAMOS.
Among Manchester’s crowded festival scene, Green Island sets its own pace, offering a peaceful sanctuary away from the busy city centre. And yet it’s located just a stone’s throw away, in the plant-filled sanctuary of Hulme Garden Centre – the green heart of the Hulme community.
Cementing itself as an annual staple in Manchester’s grassroots music scene, Green Island bonds a community for the love of music, art and culture, championing underground, underrepresented, and emerging artists from across the UK, and placing global sounds at the forefront.
The 1,500 capacity festival houses five stages, each bringing a different vibe. Most are nestled among the trees in the garden centre, but there’s also a block party occupying Warwick Street and a couple of stages in the NIAMOS, an historic venue that’s played host to everyone from Nina Simone to Gil Scott-Heron. Wherever you find yourself, the whole festival has a lovely, community vibe, still feeling pleasingly DIY despite its surging popularity.
Okay, so who’s playing?
The 7 June instalment will be headlined by Manchester-based MC DRS, blending old-school gems with fresh releases performed with a full 11-piece band. Just below on the bill, Zawose Queens will bring a powerful performance of Tanzanian polyrhythms and polyphonic singing, while Trees.R.Good will serve up a jazz-infused exploration of nature through percussion, horns, bass, and synths. And look out for a crew of female and non-binary artists called Eves Drop Collective, delivering a soulful, high-energy stage takeover.
2 August sees the top spot taken by Conor Michael & The Greenskeepers, bringing jazz-infused hip-hop and sharp lyricism. They’re joined by the poetic flow and soulful hip hop of Meduulla, star of The Rap Game UK. Newly added to the bill is the multi-talented Reuben James, bringing pop, R&B and soul with full-on jazz sensibilities. And sure to be popular is the High Hoops takeover as Manchester’s favourite party-starters bring a full lineup of DJs, including Zuri, Max Ctrl, k.h0lle & Fastlove.
Topping the 6 September bill are the nine-piece powerhouse Nubiyan Twist, blending jazz, funk, and global grooves. We’ll also be watching local jazz-funk outfit Secret Night Gang, who were brilliant at The Blues Kitchen a couple of years ago when they were just starting out – and they’ve since got scores of gigs under their belt. There’s also Evie Moran, Rory A. Green, The Lemur Conspiracy, Salsa Chubasco, and loads more.
Check out the full line-ups for each day via the button below.
