Excitement building for Sounds of the City

One of the highlights of Manchester’s summer

Who are you excited to see?

Author | Josh T

Sounds of the City returns next month, taking over Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl throughout July 2026 for a series of headline concerts featuring The K's, The Streets, Wet Leg, Johnny Marr and more.

The festival has become a fixture of Manchester's live music calendar, regularly attracting some of the most celebrated names in British and international music to its distinctive city centre setting.

Sounds of the City 2026 line-up

The K's | 3 July 2026

Hacienda Classical | 4 July 2026

Wet Leg | 8 July 2026

Johnny Marr | 9 July 2026

The Streets | 10 July 2026

The Streets | 11 July 2026

Sex Pistols | 12 July 2026

Olivia T said: "I'm really excited for The Streets."

Liam C added: "Wet Leg and Johnny Marr on consecutive nights are both going to be amazing."

Lee Francis said: "As an old punk, I'm excited for Sex Pistols. It's not going to be like the old days but it will be great to see and hear those songs live again."

Always a memorable occasion

Over the years, Castlefield Bowl has hosted a string of sold-out shows from artists including Sam Fender, Chic, New Order, Arcade Fire, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Rag'n'Bone Man, The Last Shadow Puppets, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott, Paolo Nutini, Bloc Party, James, Pixies and The Courteeners, cementing its reputation as one of the city's most popular outdoor concert venues.