WHAT'S ON AT MANCHESTER ACADEMY, MANCHESTER
Manchester Academy is four independent venues all (almost) under one roof, located on campus at The University Of Manchester. The venues are Academy 1,2,3 and Club Academy. The original student union building was built in 1957, the Academy in 1990, with Buzzcocks being the first band to play there. Following a refurb, capacity grew to around 2600 for Academy 1, 950 for Academy 2, 450 for Academy 3, and 650 for Club Academy.
Manchester Academy attracts a varied wealth of local and worldwide artists, including Adele, Nirvana, Blur, Oasis, David Bowie, Bruno Mars, Inspiral Carpets, Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga. It is often referred to as one of the UK’s greenest venues, making substantial steps towards minimising environmental impact and improving sustainability.
Enjoy exciting shows, events, concerts and premieres at these four live music venues. Events to look forward to include Throwing Muses, Tim Gallagher, Joeboy, Bootleg Blondie, A Thousand Horses, Manchester Psych Fest 25, and Goldie Lookin Chain. See what's on at Manchester Academy below and book tickets online.
Most Popular Shows and Events at Manchester Academy, Manchester
What's On at Manchester Academy, Manchester
Urzila Carlson

Academy 1
Sunday 9 November 2025
Multi award-winning South African-New Zealander Urzila Carlson is back with her brand-new show, You Don't Say. Urzila's chart-topping premiere podcast That's Enough Already! sees her discussing everything that frustrates her guest, and...Joy Crookes

Academy 1
Wednesday 12 November 2025
One of the UK's boldest and brightest young talents, Mercury and BRIT Award nominated London neo-soul artist Joy Crookes weaves through topics such as mental health, relationships, and politics all with grace and sensitivity. Growing up in...Daniel Seavey (Why Don't We)

Academy 2
Wednesday 12 November 2025
Washington State pop rocker Daniel Seavey first gained attention as a contestant on the 14th season of American Idol in 2015, where he placed in the Top 9. He later rose to prominence as a founding member of the boy band Why Don't We. The b...Billie Marten

Academy 3
Thursday 13 November 2025
Raised in the rolling hills of North Yorkshire on artists such as Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell, Joan Armatrading, and Kate Bush, critically acclaimed acoustic singer-songwriter Isabella Tweddle, aka Billie Marten, recorded her debut album 'Wri...Absolute Bowie - Tribute to David Bowie

Club Academy
Saturday 15 November 2025
There will only ever be one David Bowie, he was unique in every way and an inspiration to millions. Absolute Bowie continue to celebrate the life and music of the Starman with a spectacular show uniting Bowie fans across the UK. Absolute Bo...UK Foo Fighters - Foo Fighters Tribute Band

Academy 3
Saturday 15 November 2025
This world-famous tribute band takes you on a journey spanning 25 years of music from the now legendary rockers Foo Fighters and their charismatic leader, Dave Grohl. They absolutely nail the true vibe of a Foos live experience, all perfor...Levellers

Academy 1
Sunday 16 November 2025
Some bands have fans, others have followers. Nobody would question the assertion that the Levellers are most definitely of the latter. Ever since five lads from Brighton came together in the late '80s to brew up a heady concoction of ant...Alessi Rose

Academy 1
Wednesday 19 November 2025
Described by NME as the "Derbyshire Olivia Rodrigo", Derby indie pop rocker Alessi Rose began uploading videos to YouTube when she was 13 and has gone on to support Tate McRae and Noah Kahan. ...Citizen Soldier

Academy 2
Wednesday 19 November 2025
Formed in a psychiatric hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah alt-rockers Citizen Soldier have stated that their mission is to fight stigma and provide a "group therapy dynamic." ...Zach Templar

Academy 3
Wednesday 19 November 2025
With hundreds of millions of Spotify streams, Zach Templar, is a young R&B singer from Bristol making a name for himself in the industry. His single "Missin Something" reached the UK Top vinyl charts. ...Lawrence

Academy 1
Thursday 20 November 2025
Lawrence is an eight-piece soul-pop band comprised of musician friends from childhood and college, led by brother-sister duo Clyde and Gracie Lawrence. The New York band has gained a devoted following for its high-energy, keyboard-driven so...Lawrence

Manchester Academy, Manchester
Thursday 20 November 2025
Lawrence is an eight-piece soul-pop band comprised of musician friends from childhood and college, led by brother-sister duo Clyde and Gracie Lawrence. The New York band has gained a devoted following for its high-energy, keyboard-driven so...Frankie and The Witch Fingers

Academy 3
Thursday 20 November 2025
Bubbling up from the psychedelic tar pits of L.A., Frankie and the Witch Fingers have been a constant source of primordial groove for the better part of the last decade. Formed and incubated in Bloomington, Indiana before moving west to scr...Lucy Spraggan

Academy 1
Friday 21 November 2025
Canterbury-born, Buxton-raised and Cheshire-living folk pop star Lucy Spraggan was the first contestant on the X Factor to perform her own compositions in 2021 with her introspective acoustic hip-pop style festival anthems since helping sc...Tom McGuire and the Brassholes

Academy 2
Friday 21 November 2025
Tom McGuire & the Brassholes are a funk soul powerhouse from Glasgow. ...Killer Rhapsody - A Night of Queen

Academy 3
Friday 21 November 2025
Now in their 10th year, Killer Rhapsody remain one of the hottest and most riveting tributes to Freddie Mercury and Queen. Publicly endorsed and featured on none other then Dr Brian Mays Guitars. Performing a spectacular show, running for o...The Lilacs

Academy 1
Saturday 22 November 2025
Wigan band The Lilacs have hit the scene with a bang already performing on stages at Manchester Academy, o2 Ritz and London's O2 Academy Islington ...Moving Pictures - A Tribute to the Music of Rush

Academy 2
Saturday 22 November 2025
Scottish power trio Moving Pictures play for over two hours covering all the Rush classics such as Tom Sawyer, The Spirit of Radio and Xanadu (with doubleneck guitars) plus some deeper cuts such as By Tor and later belters such as Far Cry a...Arthur Hill

Academy 1
Sunday 23 November 2025
Arthur Hill is a multifaceted talent making waves both in the music industry and the world of TikTok. Hailing from Buckinghamshire, Arthur has seamlessly blended his musical prowess with a flair for comedic content, captivating audiences...Ozric Tentacles

Academy 2
Sunday 23 November 2025
Formed in 1983 with a debt to jazz fusion as well as space rock, Ozric Tentacles are a band from another time, serving as the bridge from '70s cosmic rock to the organic dance and festival culture that came back into fashion during the '90...The Saints '73-'78

Academy 2
Monday 24 November 2025
One of the most influential punk bands of all time, Australian rockers The Saints were formed in Brisbane, Queensland in 1973 by singer-songwriter Chris Bailey, drummer Ivor Hay, and guitarist-songwriter Ed Kuepper. According to Bob Geldof,...Softcult

Academy 3
Monday 24 November 2025
Canadian grunge duo, twin siblings Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn, are known for their melding of grunge with shoegaze, as well as their DIY and riot grrrl-inspired ethics. ...Lil Tracy

Academy 1
Wednesday 26 November 2025
For years, Jazz Butler has consistently remained an innovator of alternative hip-hop. Best known as Lil Tracy, Butler has also gained acclaim for his music under various names including Yung Bruh, Souljawitch, Tracy Minajj, and others. As a...Electric Six

Club Academy
Wednesday 26 November 2025
Detroit's fun-loving alternative garage rock collective Electric Six celebrate 20 years of their UK Top 10 debut album "Fire" in 2003. The high-octane collection, mixing garage rock, disco, punk, new wave, and metal into cleverly dumb, in-y...Evil Scarecrow

Academy 3
Thursday 27 November 2025
This fabulous, fun and as-brilliant-as-they-are-bonkers band will be bringing their unique brand of metal, mayhem and madness to several shows across the UK. With a brand-new line up, version 5.0 of Evil Scarecrow continues to captivate, de...Bad Manners

Academy 2
Friday 28 November 2025
Buster Bloodvessel, one of the biggest characters in Ska, has stayed loyal to the music and has become as influential as he is entertaining with his band Bad Manners, who are best known for their biggest hits, "Lip Up Fatty" (UK No.15 in 19...Morgan Wallen Tribute UK

Academy 3
Friday 28 November 2025
The UK's first tribute to Country mega star Morgan Wallen with a full live band, comprised of some of the UK's finest musicians, takes you on a musicaljourney through the hits of this world record-breaking artist. Morgan Wallen's meteoric r...Leisure

Academy 2
Saturday 29 November 2025
New Zealand synth pop rock act Leisure offer a free-form exploration into pop psychedelia, smooth R&B, funk, synth-pop, and big room modern soul music. Their signature laid-back yet intricately produced sound is marked by smooth grooves, lu...The Gerry Cinna-man Experience + Cortinas

Academy 3
Saturday 29 November 2025
The ultimate tribute to Gerry Cinnamon is back with special guests Cortinas!...Tors

Academy 3
Sunday 30 November 2025
Devon harmonic indie trio Tors have supported Tom Walker and Billy Locket. Brothers Matt and Theo Weedon are the grandsons of UK chart-topping guitar legend Bert "Guitar Wizard" Weedon, whom, alongside a successful solo career penned the mu...A Tribute To Manchester

Academy 1
Friday 5 December 2025
A Tribute to Manchester: 10th Anniversary Special featuring The Clone Roses, Oasish, The Smiths Ltd, Mani (Stone Roses) DJ Set, DJ Dave Sweetmore. ...Million Dead Manchester Tickets

The Lancashire Hotpots Big Bash

Academy 1
Saturday 6 December 2025
The fifth annual Big Bash from Bernard and the boys features Abba Arrival + Black Lace + Pet Shop Boys tribute act, Pound Shop Boys. Strap yourself in for an unbeatable night of music and laughs. The good times are back!...Arctic Numpties - Tribute to Arctic Monkeys

Academy 3
Saturday 6 December 2025
Barnsley and Sheffield's premium tribute to Arctic Monkeys, playing hits from all their albums. ...Katatonia

Academy 2
Sunday 7 December 2025
Considered by many to be one of Sweden's most prominent metal bands, Katatonia's long, storied career has seen them shift from a rough, sludge-like doom metal sound to a more streamlined approach that embraces prog rock, assonant vocal h...Divorce

Manchester Academy, Manchester
Wednesday 10 December 2025
For Nottingham quartet Divorce, home is a feeling. Initially meeting as teenagers through the city's close-knit DIY scene, the band came together as Divorce in mid-2021, releasing a slew of genre-defiant singles that quickly caught the atte...Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Academy 1
Friday 12 December 2025
San Francisco alt rockers BRMC return. Best known for their early 2000's UK Top 30 hits "Stop", "Ain't No Easy Way", "Spread Your Love", their music is influenced by classic hard rock, especially Led Zeppelin, while also encompassing slo...Of Mice & Men

Academy 2
Friday 12 December 2025
Californian metalcore band OM&M mix post-hardcore tracks with more melodic metal, nu metal, alternative metal, and hard rock. They reached the UK Top 20 with their 2014 album Restoring Force. ...Pogue Traders - Tribute to The Pogues
