manchester jazz festival 2025
Johnny James, Managing Editor
Jazz lovers rejoice – manchester jazz festival is back with a bumper edition in 2025, as the festival celebrates its 30th birthday.
Lighting up venues across the city, mjf2025 will sees hundreds of northern, national and international jazz musicians descend on Manchester, showcasing the genre’s leading lights alongside its most exciting emerging talent.
mjf was first staged in the summer of 1996, hosting nine bands in one venue over the course of a single day. Who could have known that this would mark the start of what is now Manchester’s longest running music festival, sprawling across the city for 10 whole days each year. And yet for all it’s grown, mjf’s spirit remains the same, rooted in the joyful celebration and genuine support of the contemporary jazz world’s diverse artists.
The line-up for 2025 is still under wraps, but considering the calibre of artists who performed last year, and the fact that this is a special anniversary edition of the festival, it’s safe to assume this is going to be a memorable year in mjf’s rich history.
Last year’s headliners included John Surman, Courtney Pine, Laura Misch, Nikki Iles, Tim Garland, Sarāb, Julian Joseph, Laura Jurd, Nubiyan Twist, Daniel Erdmann and Trish Clowes & Ross Stanley, to name a few. But for every big name, there was — and will be in 2025 — an emergent star waiting to be discovered. And that’s what we love about this festival – you’re pretty much guaranteed to stumble upon incredible artists who are still flying under the radar. You might even find whole scenes that have previously passed you by.
Hugely important is how accessible this all is, with a good deal of the festival being free, including the whole opening weekend. Located in the vibrant neighbourhood of First Street, mjf2025 will kick off with a celebration of the depth and breadth of Manchester’s home-grown talent (including bands emerging through mjf’s artist development programmes) alongside national and international acts. You’ll also find a host of family-friendly activities, food & drink vendors and all-round lovely festival vibes, especially when the sun’s shining and the beer’s flowing.
After that, the pace only quickens as stages around the city light up. There’ll be nightly gigs at jazz institution Matt & Phreds and many events at RNCM, Stoller Hall, Forsyth Music Shop, St Ann’s Church and The Carlton Club. We’re also expect a new mjf originals commission, which last year took the form of an immersive performace at The Deaf Institute.
Towards the end of the festival, the action usually condenses around Band on the Wall for a weekend-long closing party, with 2025’s festival coming to a close on 25 May.
You should also keep your eye out for activities surrounding the much-loved annual piano trail, which sees mjf and Forsyth Music Shop install 14 pianos around the city, for anyone to play. Last year, they were the focus of a competition for the title of Manchester’s best street pianist, which came with a whole raft of prizes.
When the line-up (last year including over 60 free and ticket events) drops, you’ll find our highlights right here. Until then, head to mjf’s website via the button below to find out more about this brilliant festival.
