Hayao Miyazaki’s Dreams by Mystery Ensemble at The Stoller Hall

Tom Grieve, Contributing Writer

Book now

Hayao Miyazaki's Dreams by Mystery Ensemble

The Stoller Hall, Manchester
18 February 2024

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

An illustration of director Hayao Miyazaki on a blue background
Mystery Ensemble
Book now

For animation lovers, Hayao Miyazaki needs little introduction. The famous Japanese animator and film director co-founded the legendary Studio Ghibli and is responsible for some of the most well-regarded films ever made. Taking inspiration from folklore and literature, while prioritising themes of environmentalism and pacifism, titles such as My Neighbour TotoroSpirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle are beloved by audiences of all ages, the world over.

This February, fans can experience his oeuvre from a different perspective as Mystery Ensemble delve into the music from his films at Stoller Hall. The Miyazaki Dreams concert promises to immerse you in the atmosphere of works such as My Neighbour TotoroSpirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle through their music.

The musicians at Mystery Ensemble specialise in putting together unique programmes in non-standard venues, including experimental music, tributes and soundtracks from world cinema and television. The Miyazaki event is firmly in their wheelhouse then, and they’ve promised performances of works composed by Joe Hisaishi for Miyazaki films scores alongside music from other composers inspired by Miyazaki.

Where to go near Hayao Miyazaki’s Dreams by Mystery Ensemble at The Stoller Hall

Virgin Red Room
Manchester
Virgin Red Room

The Virgin Red Room is a new private members space located at Manchester’s AO Arena, with VIP access to some of the city’s biggest gigs.

Manchester
Restaurant
Chish & Fips

A special kind of Japanese-inspired fish and chip shop, from the team behind the incredible (and sadly-missed) Umezushi restaurant.

Manchester
Restaurant
Umezushi

This small but perfectly-formed sushi restaurant could well be one of Manchester’s best restaurants. Whatever you do, try the freshwater eel.

Manchester
Restaurant
Kitchen In An Arch

An offshoot from the much-loved Umezushi, this specialist deli is a one-stop-shop for all your sushi making needs, and also hosts occasional workshops to improve your culinary skills.

Chetham’s Library in Long Millgate in Manchester
Manchester
Library
Chetham’s Library

Chetham’s Library is one of the must-sees of any visit to Manchester. The library was founded in 1653, and is the oldest public library in the world – but the building dates back even further, to 1421.

Cathedral Quarter
Place of worship
Manchester Cathedral

A regular venue for gigs and one-off cultural events, Manchester Cathedral is nevertheless a working place of worship – open all year round.

Cathedral Quarter
Restaurant
Mamucium

High-class restaurant next to Victoria Station in Manchester, and attached to Hotel Indigo. Famed for steaks.

Cathedral Gardens
Cathedral Quarter
Park
Cathedral Gardens

Cathedral Gardens is a partially lawned public space in Manchester city centre, located between Manchester Cathedral and the National Football Museum.

Manchester
Event venue
Festa Italiana

The 2022 Festa Italiana was a roaring success, with great food options and captivating live music performances throughout the weekend.

What's on: Music

Greg Freeman by Steve Gullick
MusicManchester
Greg Freeman at YES

Greg Freeman mines local history for character-driven tales of violence, loss and epiphany on his second album, Burnover.

From £18.00
Music
Kavari at The White Hotel

Fresh from one of the year’s most uncompromising EPs, Kavari brings her Aphex Twin-endorsed, hard-clipped sound to Salford.

From £11.00
Ora Cogan by Alexa Black.
MusicManchester
Ora Cogan at The Abbey

Gothic country ballads, psych-folk drones and pedal steel drawn long and slow. Ora Cogan brings her witchy country to Now Wave’s new (old) pub.

From £18.50
MusicManchester
Wednesday at The Ritz

Victory lapping the best album of their career so far, there hasn’t been a better moment yet to catch these North Carolina rockers.

From £29.95
MusicManchester
Manchester Psych Fest 2026

O2 Apollo becomes Pysch Fest’s main stage for the first time, with Billy Nomates and bdrmm heading the final wave.

From £44.80
Encounter Festival 2026
FestivalsLancashire
Encounter Festival in Preston

Preston comes alive with outdoor theatre, live music, dance and family-friendly creativity in one of the North West’s most joyful festivals.

Free entry

Culture Guides

Matt Spratt.
Music

Aphex Twin-endorsed electronica, an eight-hour organ marathon and the most exciting band in Ireland's current folk revival all feature this month.

Food and Drink in the North

Squeeze the most out of these final weeks of summer thanks to our mid-August guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre

From intimate dramas to spectacular outdoor festivals, discover the North West performances worth adding to your diary.

Exhibitions

Summer isn’t usually a high point in the exhibitions calendar, but Greater Manchester’s small galleries seem to have made a pact to change that this year.

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.