Our pick of the best gigs in Manchester this month: December 2017

By Georgina Pellant
Last Updated 6 years ago

It’s December and Christmas party season is upon us.

Typically, this means an onslaught of listings as promoters seek to cash in on our festive revelry – and our cash.

Don’t worry, though, we’ve got your back with a hand-picked selection of events to suit your every whim and fancy. Whether you’re after a secret basement rave, an intimate gig or just a good party with lots of free food, rest assured it’s happening this month in Manchester.

Notre Dance present Nori Vicari Jnr

Notre Dance brings the mysterious and illusive Nori Vicari Jnr to Hidden this Thursday for a night of deep house and techno.With a headline set promising to shine a light on the producer’s vast discography, get ready to hear some special and unreleased material.

Dec 7th, Hidden
Tickets

No White Tees

Common regulars No White Tees bring their freshest and best beats to the dance this December time. Expect some solid gold sets from Joey B (Swing Ting), Big Peace and Texaco flaunting the finest in hip-hop and dirty south beats.

Dec 7th, Common
Free

The Mouse Outfit with Dubbul O, Dr Syntax & Ellis Meade

Manchester’s highly-acclaimed hip-hop band The Mouse Outfit perform not one but two homecoming shows this weekend at Band On The Wall due to huge popular demand. Catch them on the Friday with support from local soulster and Hit&Run resident Berry Blacc.

Band On The Wall, Thursday 7th and Friday 8th, 7.30-11pm
Tickets

The Shop Party x Sauce & The City

Ancoats General Store is bringing the party to convenience shopping this Friday! One of the stops on Adam Richman’s Sauce & The City Xmas Special Tour, rest assured that beats, booze and saucy, saucy grub will all be in plentiful supply.

Dec 8th, Ancoats General Store
Free

Sauce present Katbrownsugar and [KSR]

Sauce brings Manchester’s own Katbrownsugar to Indigo for an intimate show. Celebrating the release of her second EP Pink Trees, she will perform tracks from the release with a full live band. The Reform Radio DJ and podcaster is swiftly rising through the ranks: having seen her music featured on BBC 1 Xtra and introducing, as well as recently being interviewed on behalf of the MOBOs. Support comes from rising local soul star [KSR].

8th Dec, Indigo (Withington)
Tickets

Butterz w/ Royal-T, Elijah & Skiliam

London grime label Butterz ship up north for what looks set to be a hype event at Antwerp Mansion. Label heads Elijah and Skilliam will be taking to the decks alongside label mate Royal T, with support from Bristolian dub-plate dons Kahn & Neek. Expect grime, garage, bassline, 140 and very dirty shoes by the end of the night.

Dec 8th, Antwerp Mansion
Tickets

Hit & Run vs Konoba Dub with P-Money

Manchester bass heavyweights Hit&Run and Konoba Dub join forces at 256 for their final show of term. Bringing up grime royalty P-Money for the night, this looks set to be a powerful and dynamic special.

Dec 9th, 256 Wilmslow Road
Tickets

Peek A Groove First Birthday

Mancunian DJ collective Peek A Groove celebrate their first birthday at Chorlton home Dulcimer this Saturday with an all-day record fair and fundraiser for local homelessness charity ROC. With 20+ DJ’s set to play throughout the day and fine vinyl on offer from a host of their favourite suppliers, get down for a boogie and give to charity at the same time.

Dec 9th, Dulcimer
Free admission, donations welcome

ShinDigger Sessions – Made in the 0161

Local brewery ShinDigger has been killing it on the events front for over a year now with their ShinDigger Sessions. The line-up this time consists of local hip-hop talents Abnormal Sleepz, KinKai, A Broken Camarilla and El Statiko, playing alongside ShinDigger resident Flash Sampson. Get ready for a mix of low-key hip-hop vibes alongside bass, soul, grime, dancehall, plus excellent beer of course.

Dec 9th, Joshua Brooks x Versions
Tickets

Manchester Camerata Christmas Concert

Following the success of their joint events together last year, the Manchester Camerata Orchestra return to Common for a festive and free concert! Expect all the hits and a full-on brass section perfectly poised to amp up your Christmas cheer.

Dec 12th, Common
Free Admission

Tussle Xmas Party with Terry Francis (Fabric)

Long-running Manchester club night Tussle takes over two floors at Stage & Radio. Godfather of tech house and Fabric legend Terry Francis will be bringing you those minimal vibes in the basement, whilst upstairs in the tap room come sets from Gas House Kids, the newest additions to Leeds’ Back to Basics family.

Dec 15th, Stage & Radio
Tickets

Swing Ting Birthday/Junction EP launch

Swing Ting is well loved for their eclectic blend of hip-hop, afrobeat and dancehall. Starting their club night in 2008, founders Platt and Samrai quickly won the hearts of many a Mancunian raver. Now also functioning as a label and production outfit, this December’s event sees Swing Ting celebrate their birthday and launch their newest and most adventurous EP, Junction. As always, expect big beats and a proper family vibe.

Dec 15th, Soup Kitchen
Tickets OTD

WHP17 LVLZ 4th Birthday

Mancunian production and rap collective Levelz join forces with WHP again this year to celebrate their birthday. The gang will be taking over at a secret, new basement venue in the centre of town as they celebrate being four years young and launch their new single Front Face.

Dec 16th, Secret Location
Tickets

Elbow & the BBC Philharmonic

Elbow and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra come together this Christmas to make magic at the BBC Philharmonic’s home in Salford Quays. The set list will predominantly look to Elbow’s latest album Little Fictions, with surprises thrown in too. To top it all off, the Hallé youth choir will be bringing the Christmas cheer with a few specially chosen selections. Tickets go on sale this Thursday.

December 21st, Salford Quays BBC Philharmonic studio
Tickets

Trevor Nelson’s Xmas Soul Party with Omar & Damage

The funk and soul legend that is Trevor Nelson returns to Manchester with soul legend Omar and special guests Damage in tow for an all-out Christmas bash at The Ritz. Fans of Soul Nation know this isn’t one to be missed…

Dec 29th, 02 Ritz
Tickets

For the love of Manchester...

Manchester is a successful city, but there are many people that suffer. The I Love MCR Foundation helps raise vital funds to help improve the lives and prospects of people and communities across Greater Manchester – and we can’t do it without your help. So please donate or fundraise what you can because investing in your local community to help it thrive can be a massively rewarding experience. Thank you in advance!