It always feels miserable waving goodbye to summer – especially when the sunny season’s been as much of a no-show as ours has – but one thing the autumn/winter season does herald is a sturdy succession of incredible gigs.
Here are the top 50 that you can still catch as we inch our way towards 2016.
Lonelady, Albert Hall, 1 October
After going from strength to strength since her debut in 2010, Manchester’s Lonelady (aka Julie Campbell) returns to home soil with her danceworthy blend of funk guitar lines rattling cowbells and infectious pop hooks.
Jane Weaver, Gorilla, 10 October
Liverpool’s queen of psychedelia, Jane Weaver is a singer, songwriter and guitarist cherished nationwide for her independent spirit, mesmeric vocals and synth-pop pysch, who packed out St Philip’s Church earlier this year with a breathtaking performance as part of Sounds From The Other City.
Rae Morris, The Ritz, 10 October
Having previously toured with Bombay Bicycle Club, Noah and the Whale, Tom Odell and Lianne La Havas, Blackpool-born singer-songwriter Rae Morris is now etching her own name as one of the UK’s leading folk-pop artists after debuting at no. 9 in the UK charts with her first album, ‘Unguarded’.
Darwin Deez, Sound Control, 13 October
Expect fun and playful indie pop from this live Darwin Deez show, as well as moves to rival those of Napoleon Dynamite from the eccentric titular frontman.
Circa Waves, Manchester Academy, 14 October
Liverpudlian indie quartet Circa Waves head to Manchester following a busy festival season at the likes of Reading, Belgium’s Dour and Lollapalooza, as well as the successful release of their debut album ‘Young Chasers’ back in March.
Hot Chip, Albert Hall, 17 October
The UK’s cherished electro-pop five piece make a return with new album ‘Why Make Sense’, touring the globe with their infectious new material.
Acid Mothers Temple, Band on the Wall, 20 October
Lap up a serving of leftfield psych from Japan as Acid Mothers Temple bring their engrossingly weird, trippy drone-heavy sound that they’ve spent two decades perfecting.
The Cribs, Albert Hall, 21 October
Wakefield’s indie rock brothers celebrate being almost 15 years on the scene with a tour in support of sixth and most recent album release, ‘For All My Sisters’.
Real Lies, Soup Kitchen, 25 October
Hailing from the Holloway area of London, Real Lies are an electronic trio signed to Marathon artists. Catch them at Soup Kitchen this October before they undoubtedly return to Manchester even bigger.
Hot 8 Brass Band, Band on the Wall, 26 October
Global brass dons Hot 8 Brass Band bring their playful fusion of New Orleans jazz and classic hip hop and R&B sounds (think Marvin Gaye’s ‘Sexual Healing’ and Snoop Dogg) to Band on the Wall.
Beach House, The Ritz, 27 October
Get transported back to the summer that we never had by Baltimore girl-guy duo Beach House, who’ll bring the sunshine with their hazy dream-pop sounds.
Bo Ningen, Islington Mill, 28 October
Bo Ningen are a London-based Japanese psych foursome, whose acid punk energy has made them regulars – and favourites – of the UK gig circuit.
Blackalicious, Sound Control, 30 October
Join rapper Gift of Gab and DJ/producer Chief Xcel as they bring their witty, complex rhymes and classic, soul-infused hip hop beats to Manchester this October.
Girl Band, Soup Kitchen, 4 November
Witness the significantly non-girly lineup of Ireland’s Girl Band as they tear up the Soup Kitchen basement with their increasingly popular noise rock that’s made itself a bit of a reputation for an energetic live show.
DJ Format and Abdominal, The Deaf Institute, 5 November
One of UK hip hop’s greatest unions, catch the almighty DJ Format and Abdominal in action as they tour the UK together for the first time in a decade.
Deerhunter, Gorilla, 6 November
Atlanta’s ambient punk quartet tours the UK following the release of their new album ‘Fading Frontier’, with support from lead singer Bradford Cox’s side project Atlas Sound.
Ibeyi, Gorilla, 8 November
The French-Cuban twin daughters of late Buena Vista Soul Club percussionist Anga Diaz, Ibeyi blend traditional world sounds with contemporary styles, whilst singing in both English and Yoruba for a musical melting pot.
Andreya Triana, The Deaf Institute, 13 November
Most known for her work with Bonobo, Mr Scruff and Flying Lotus, Andreya Triana boasts a rich, soulful voice that she sets against upbeat rhythms for uplifting, empowering tunes like the one you’ll undoubtedly know without knowing, ‘Gold’.
La Priest, Soup Kitchen, 14 November
The solo project from Late of the Pier’s Sam Eastgate, from La Priest you can expect plenty of psych, synth, pop and weirdo oddball grooves.
The Lovely Eggs, The Deaf Institute, 14 November
Lancaster's The Lovely Eggs are husband and wife Holly Ross and David Blackwell, who together hone pop with a punk edge, whilst providing an observational and slightly surreal take on life.
Wavves, Sound Control, 16 November
Formed in 2008 by singer-songwriter Nathan Williams, Wavves is a San Diego lo-fi surf-rock outfit who’ll be hitting up Sound Control this November.
Ducktails, The Deaf Institute, 17 November
Originally a solo side project from Real Estate’s Matt Mondanile, Ducktails is now a lo-fi pop four-piece who tour this year to celebrate new Domino Records release ‘St. Catherine’.
Albert Hammond Jr, Gorilla, 17 November
Son of veteran singer-songwriter Albert Hammond and The Strokes guitarist, Albert Hammond Jr. keeps up the momentum of his solo career with a third album, ‘Momentary Masters’.
Kurt Vile and The Violators, The Ritz, 18 November
Formerly of War on Drugs fame, Kurt Vile’s now easing into his successful lo-fi indie folk solo career with the help of his band The Violators, whilst support comes from the equally brilliant alt-folk project of Kate Crutchfield, Waxahatchee.
Beans on Toast, Gorilla, 18 November
Known as much for his visceral, down-to-earth lyrics as he is for his signature gravelly voice, from Beans on Toast you can expect an alt-folk lyrical tour through drugs, relationships and politics.
Hiatus Kaiyote, Band on the Wall, 19 November
Hiatus Kaiyote are a Melbourne quartet hailed by elite names in music including Erykah Badu, Gilles Peterson, Pharrell, Prince, Questlove and celebrated producer Salaam Remi, whose style fuses neo-soul, hip hop and electronic beats with Latin, jazz and opera – a combination that should sound perfect from the Band on the Wall PA.
Spectres, Soup Kitchen, 19 November
Enjoy some rough and ready noise rock from Bristol, as the Spectres boys take over the Soup Kitchen basement with a brute force of murky, oppressive and completely absorbing guitar-led sounds.
Frank Turner, Academy 1, 23 - 24 November
Two years after his last release, folk singer-songwriter Frank Turner hits the road in support of his sixth studio album, ‘Positive Songs For Negative People’.
Mercury Rev, RNCM, 23 November
Mercury Rev have been steadily making successful alt-rock since their early days in the 80s and 90s, but it’s been seven years since their last release. This year the Buffalo, New York five-piece returns with new album ‘The Light In You’.
Ghostpoet, Band on the Wall, 26 November
After his debut album was shortlisted for a Mercury prize, it didn’t take long for the British musician and all-round nice guy Ghostpoet (aka Obaro Ejimiwe) to become a firm and revered fixture of the UK music industry – something that’s set to continue with critically and commercially acclaimed new album ‘Shedding Skin’.
Cinematic Orchestra, Albert Hall, 27 November
By far one of this year’s most highly anticipated gigs, the almighty Cinematic Orchestra play Manchester for the first time in almost 10 years.
Meat Wave, Gullivers, 27 November
The Chicago trio hit up Gullivers with their brash, punk-influenced blend of thrashing guitars, piercing cymbal clashes and boisterous, garbled vocals. Not one for the weak, and perfect for a Gullivers gig.
Paul Weller, Manchester Arena, 28 November
The Modfather proves he’s still going strong with the release of a new album and accompanying UK tour.
Alt-J, Central Hall, 29 November
This Now Wave show looks set to be a popular one, as Mercury and Ivor Novello Prize winners Alt-J are joined by solid support act The Horrors.
Status Quo, Palace Theatre, 29 November
The British rockers vow to go back to the sound that defined them in this December live show, returning to their fully electric set up to play hits from their extensive back catalogue. They’ll also be joined by the incomparable Wilko Johnson as support act.
Courtney Barnett, The Ritz, 30 November
The Aussie singer-songwriter’s had a year of undeniably staggering success, thanks to her signature witty, conversational lyrics and scarily catchy melodies.
Willis Earl Beal, Night & Day, 2 December
Chicago musician Willis Earl Beal serves up something many don’t these days, with a profound lo-fi sound dictated as much by soul and the blues as it is by alt-rock and folk – a combination that promises a compelling and beautiful performance at his upcoming appearance in Manchester.
Demob Happy, Gullivers, 4 December
A shaggy-haired quartet from Newcastle, Demob Happy’s amped-up grunge sound is one that will rattle Gullivers with pounding drums and clanging guitars. For fans of Queens of the Stone Age and The Strokes.
Mumford and Sons, Manchester Arena, 6 December
Now on their third album, ‘Wilder Mind’ Mumford and Sons have graduated from their twee, bluegrass roots to something decidedly bigger, heavier and worthy of their recent festival headline slots.
The Kooks, Albert Hall, 7 December
After breezing onto the scene as a breath of fresh indie seaside pop, The Kooks make a return with their fourth studio album, ‘Listen’.
Courteeners, O2 Apollo, Various dates
After forming in Middleton and performing their first gig at the iconic Roadhouse (RIP), these local boys play to their beloved Manchester following the biggest show of their lives at Heaton Park earlier this year.
The Darkness, Manchester Academy, 10 December
This year The Darkness take to Manchester Academy in support of their latest release, ‘Last Of Our Kind’ – with catsuit-clad Justin Hawkins at the vocal helm, no doubt it’s a live performance that will never be dull.
Gnarwolves, Sound Control, 10 December
After spending years as one of Britain’s favourite underground bands, Gnarwolves are going from strength to strength with the release of last year’s debut self-titled album and a gig later this year at the decently sized Sound Control.
Shed Seven, Manchester Academy, 11 – 12 December
Another date has been added to accommodate the demand for indie rockers Seven Shed, who found their success in the emerging Britpop scene of the 1990s. Here they’ll be taking a trip down memory lane to perform their greatest hits.
Madonna, Manchester Arena, 14 December
Madge limbers up once again for another UK tour to accompany her thirteenth studio album, ‘Rebel Heart’. This one’s her only show in the north of England, so snap up those tickets before they’re gone.
Def Leppard and Whitesnake, Manchester Arena, 15 December
Rock out to a co-headline tour from two of the biggest names in rock history, as Def Leppard and Whitesnake make their way to Manchester Arena.
Texas, Bridgewater Hall, 16 December
Hot on the heels of headlining the Friday of Manchester Pride this August, Scottish pop-rock group Texas return to the city – this time to the slightly calmer, but equally impressive, Bridgewater Hall.
The Mouse Outfit, Band on the Wall, 18 December
One of Manchester’s greatest exports in recent years, hip hop group The Mouse Outfit are known for selling out gigs here, so you’d better act fast to secure a spot to nod your head at Band on the Wall this December.
Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Manchester Apollo, 20 December
Jools tinkles his boogie-woogie ivories at Manchester Apollo joined by his incredible Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, who together will provide the suitably spectacular means to help 2015 draw to a close.
Baked A La Ska, Band on the Wall, 23 December
The day before Christmas Eve, there’s no doubt that everyone will be in a great mood as Manchester ska outfit Baked A La Ska fire up the party.