Festival season doesn’t end with the summer. Last Saturday, Manchester saw its streets light up as crowds poured in and out of beloved, legendary music venues all across the city centre. Now a decade since the first Neighbourhood Festival was born, the lineup continues to spotlight some of the best Indie acts of the new generation. Here's our top 5 picks from the day... Photo Credit: Paul Lang Florence Road Wicklow four-piece Florence Road have made waves on the Indie Pop sce

Nowadays Neighbourhood Festival is considered a staple in the indie calendar. However, ten years ago, when the festival first started, no one could have imagined the success the event has become. In its first year, the festival saw acts including Blossoms, Circa Waves and Liam Fray take to the stage. Ten years on, almost all the acts didn’t exist when the festival first opened its doors, but the aim of bringing the best up and coming bands to new fans, remains the same. Phot

Manchester's premiere music conference and festival Beyond The Music returned this month, this time taking over Salford's Media City. The daytime conference brought together some of the most influential and forward-thinking music business professionals for discussions on industry inequalities, innovative music-making and the future of the industry landscape. Highlights were the discussion with the team behind Yungblud and the keynote with Steve Coogan marking the anniversary

On a warm Autumn night in Manchester, we saw the long awaited return of one of the city's brightest talents, Phoebe Green, all thanks to the work wonderful work of Independent Venue Week who have showcasing the #BestofBritish at shows across the country. Photo Credit: Kitty Handley Known for her introspective and uniquely relatable lyricism and hypnotic electro-pop textures, Phoebe has long been at the forefront of Manchester's emerging scene. Her 2020 single 'Reinvent' beca

Beyond The Music, Manchester's creative industry conference and music showcase returns from October 6-9 for three days of vital, policy-setting, conversations, lectures and networking events as well as three nights of break through music showcased across venues in Salford. TICKETS ON SALE NOW Photo Credit: Mark Waugh The full 2026 conference programme titled Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness details Beyond The Music’s commitment to a strengthened, connected and colla

Since 2021, No Play have provided grassroots music for the scene, by the scene, and this year's festival is no different. 35 Bands across 5 stages provided the perfect day out for any Alternative or Hardcore Fans, with a strong sense of community throughout every aspect of the festival. No Play Festival encapsulates everything incredible about the Hardcore and Alternative fellowship, especially within the North West. Photo Credit: @eyes_widephotography Based in the heart of L

Twenty years since it first landed in Daresbury, Creamfields has cemented itself as one of the UK’s biggest dance music festivals, and this was my first time making the trip. Located just outside Warrington, the site pulls crowds from Liverpool and Manchester in their thousands, alongside ravers from every corner of the country. Several transport options run into the site, with signposts and security stationed throughout to keep the flow of thousands moving in the right dire

Keyside didn’t ease their way into their debut album ‘Keyside’ , they kicked the door wide open. With driving guitars and soaring choruses, Keyside makes an immediate statement of intent. But beneath the bright and infectious surface of the album, lies something darker. With songs tackling addiction and emotional struggle yet never losing their irresistible sense of melody. ‘Runaway’ establishes the balance of the album immediately. With the upbeat guitar line and expansive c

Wyatt Manchester-based quartet Wyatt are continuing to prove that keeping it in the family is not always such a bad idea as brothers Harvey and Evan O’Toole, alongside members Emily Mason and Joe Ward release their debut single ‘Morning’. Capturing a rustic charm, the track delivers an instant warmth where for three minutes and twelve seconds pretentiousness becomes a forgotten notion as the band's genuinity seeps through every angle of the track. Reminiscent of Stereophonics

Located in Manchester's Northern Quarter, Maki & Ramen serves up traditional Japanese dining with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We paid them a visit to try their famous Ramen and the first thing that struck us was the decor. The room is bright and colourful, filled with mirrors and bright pink flowers hanging down the wooden beams, giving the room a fresh, Japanese feel. The traditional Japanese drum that is struck by the waiters when you arrive instantly gives your trip a

Back in 19th century New York history, some people in the area didn’t know how trains worked. The ‘Westside Cowboys’ were born from this, horseback riders who helped keep train speeds in check. This is where the Manchester indie folk band originated their obscure but fitting name as Westside Cowboy, a band that invites you in to join their herd with folk infused alt rock tracks from their debut album ‘It Goes On’. This eleven track brand new album features a variety to liste

Nestled on Tib Street in the heart of Manchester's Northern Quarter is the cosy local Italian Soots. Offering a homely, free-going atmosphere and perhaps the most appealing menu of vegan Italian dishes we've seen, the restaurant was a perfect summer treat. The first noticeable quality of Soots is the atmosphere. As you walk in you feel like you're walking into the backroom of a local family, in the best possible way. The kitchen is small, open-plan and completely visible to t

Lewis Capaldi and Loyle Carner are set to take over Liverpool's Sefton Park on Saturday August 15th for In The Park with Capaldi set to deliver his biggest-ever outdoor headline show in the city. Loyle Carner will be bringing his signature blend of diaristic lyricism and genre-defying sound to Liverpool. Twice shortlisted for the Mercury Prize and the recipient of multiple BRIT and NME Award nominations, Carner has built a global following with over 1.1 billion streams to his

LAUGHTERAMA, Manchester’s mega-hit comedy festival, returns to Castlefield Bowl from 2nd-6th September with five nights of incredible open-air comedy, with MICHELLE WOLF set to headline the final night. Tickets are available here. Just announced, primetime Emmy nominee, Have I Got News For You star, and international comedy powerhouse Michelle Wolf will headline the final show, joining a line-up already packed with comedy stars. Michelle is known for her sharp wit, candid sto

On a dreaded sunny day in Manchester, Johnny Marr took to the stage at Castlefield Bowl, for a homecoming gig as part of the Sounds of the City festival. Looking effortlessly cool as always, Marr strutted onto the stage adorning sunglasses and a denim jacket, wielding his trademark Fender Jaguar. Photo Credit: Aaron Parsons As he opened with the catchy Generate Generate, the usual tradition of train passengers waving from the bridge towering above began instantly, with one dr

We couldn't think of a better way to spend one of the hottest evenings of the year than sampling three of the most exciting UK performers while lapping up the summer sunshine. Well, this is exactly what we were treated to at Manchester's Castlefield Bowl this week as Wet Leg, English Teacher and THEATRE took to the stage in the blistering heat. Photo Credit: Harry Proctor // @harry.proctor.56 The natural amphitheatre of Castlefield Bowl immediately brings a cinematic quality

Despite the miserable weather in Manchester on Wednesday evening, American Indie Folk singer Annabelle Dinda had no problem uplifting the crowd with her energetic set. Dancing with her band on stage, the singer’s whimsical energy was felt by the audience, whose cheers got louder with the more songs she played. As her set came to a close, there were chants of ‘one more song’ and ‘another one’ that proved Annabelle had successfully done her job of warming up the crowd. The exci

Soul-crushing lyricism, angelic voices, and enchanting tunes- what more could you ask for on a Wednesday night in Manchester. This was exactly what dreamy, folky, singer-songwriter, Evie Moran, delivered as well as her opening act, Bryony Lloyd, at Band on The Wall, in the heart of the Northern quarter. Behind its rainbow painted doors beheld a show just as colourful. Photo Credit: Jake Cook With a low-lit ambience, opener Bryony Lloyd joined the stage, bringing audience m

Merseyside's multi-venue festival Sound City returned once again on Bank holiday weekend and proved why we love it so much. Running from venue to venue to catch everyone on your packed schedule, inevitably bumping into your best mates, your favourite band and that ex you haven't spoke to in 5 years... Photo Credit: Paul Lang (@paullangphotographer) // BOOT Magazine With an absolutely stacked line up filled with the most exciting new acts from the UK and beyond, are schedule w

Although Manchester's Brit-Pop Indie legends James have been playing for over 40 years, we knew they would still have a few tricks up their sleeve ready to make the gig a standout performance. The hype for the show started hours before they came on, with hundreds flocked outside the stadium wearing James ’ signature daisy on t-shirts, hats, hoodies and bags. Despite the overarching nostalia of the night, there were people of all ages queuing at every entrance, speaking to the