November's must-see gigs in Manchester

Morrissey claims that November spawned a monster - it certainly spawned a monstrous number of gigs to fork out for if you love your live music...

McAlmont and Butler - The Ritz, Tuesday 3rd
With only two albums to their name, the duo reunite to sing live once again some of the most perfect riock pop of the last few decades. Yes, we do feel better, thanks for asking.

Metz - Sound Control, Wednesday 4th
Acclaimed, maximal hardcore noise from a minimal trio hailing from Ontario, their worshipped live shows always bring a healthy crowd and yes, lots of noise out in Manchester.

DJ Spinn - Soup Kitchen, 5th
Having co-founded the legendary Teklife label with former Project 13 guest, the late DJ Rashad, the technically astounding and high energy DJ Spinn returns to Soup Kitchen’s basement. Armed with folders full of footwork’s past and future, expect to dance hard and fast.

Deerhunter - The Ritz, Friday 6th
Perhaps one of the finest alternative bands working today, Deerhunter play their largest Manchester gig yet at The Ritz, showcasing their new record, Fading Frontier. Returning to the roots of the wistful psychedelia on which they made their name, they can still command bigger and bigger rooms with ease. Support comes from lead singer Bradford Cox in his equally acclaimed Atlas Sound guise.

C.A.R. and Ivan Smagghe - Islington Mill, Friday 6th
Dark and occasionally sleazy electronica, disco and slo-mo techno is the order of the evening over at Islington Mill, when Cowbell Radio return with a ‘Kill The DJ’ special. Charismatic French selector and offbeat dance legend Ivan Smagghe headlines the occasion, supported by his recent label darlings, C.A.R, playing live.

Thrasher - The Warehouse Project, Saturday 7th
One of the few WHP events this season not yet sold out, which comes as a surprise given the typical diversity, not to mention sheer bulk of the line up. Dipping into all kinds of bass, with a headline DJ set from crossover success SBTRKT, contemporary boogie and house from Krystal Klear and Leon Vynehall, and the renowned Soulection crew.

Jess Glynne - Manchester Academy, Wednesday 11th 
One of the most inescapable pop voices of the past few years thanks to her central role on Clean Bandit’s utterly ubiquitous ‘Rather Be’, Jess Glynne is nonetheless making a more than credible shot as a solo artist in here own right. She’ll be making her way through radio hits such as ‘Hold My Hand’ and ‘Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself’.

M O N E Y - The White Hotel, Wednesday 11th
Returning to the live music scene after an extended hiatus, local favourites Money specialise an understated and occasionally dreamy guitar that’s rich in melancholy and mischief. Ahead of their highly anticipated second LP, Suicide Songs, they’ll be previewing new tracks and crowd favourites at The White Hotel.

High Hoops - Hidden, Friday 13th
High Hoops have spent the last year putting on some of the most on-point house and techno oriented parties in Manchester, continuing this month at Hidden with a garage and acid tinged showcase from underground tastemakers such as DJ Qu, Amir Alexander, French Fries and Shanti Celeste.

The Orb - 02 Ritz, Saturday 14th
Founded out of London’s dub and ambient scene in the 1980s, The Orb went on the become one of the foremost, trailblazing electronica acts of the 1990s, having remixed everyone from Lisa Stansfield to Depeche Mode. Beloved for their spectacular live shows, they return to tour recent LP, Moonbuilding 2703 AD.

The Mountain Goats - Gorilla, Sunday 15th
Lo-fi yet widescreen indie folk rock from California’s cultishly adored Mountain Goats, now fifteen albums deep into their celebrated career. Expect new material and deep cuts met with rapturous reception from their devoted fans.

Ducktails - Soup Kitchen, Tuesday 17th
Overflowing with good vibrations and tender songwriting, he breezy and psychedelic side project of Matt Mondaile, best known for his work in indie rock band Real Estate, is guaranteed to transport you to somewhere warmer and trippier than Manchester in mid-November.

Everything Everything - Apollo, Saturday 21st
Originally hailing from Manchester themselves, Everything Everything continue to find a refreshingly large audience for their avant-garde pop experiments. Their third LP, Get To Heaven, went into the UK Top 10 earlier this year, and this large homecoming gig at The Apollo only reinforces their staying power. A reputation as a fantastic, versatile live band only helps.

Luke Sital Singh - Sacred Trinity Church, Salford, Monday 23rd
Understated folk and smart songwriting craft courtesy of Luke Sital Singh. The 6Music favourite is visiting the suitably charming Sacred Trinity Church in support of his new EP, ‘The Breakneck Speed of Tomorrow’.

Roisin Murphy - Albert Hall, 25th
Always idiosyncratic and unpredictable across the worlds of both music and fashion, former Moloko member and reigning Queen of truly alternative pop Roisin Murphy drops by the Albert Hall to expand on her acclaimed third LP, Hairless Toys.

Duran Duran - Manchester Arena, 27th 
Requiring little introduction, the legendary 80s pop group return in as bombastic and catchy mode as ever before, their soaring synthpop and singles such as Rio and Girls on Film sure to fill Manchester’s cavernous Arena with ease, alongside new material.

Meat Free with Steffi - Mantra, 27th 
Creatively lead by an increasingly popular group of local female DJs, Meat Free welcomes Steffi to Hidden, one of the residents at Berlin’s overwhelmingly popular and still mystery shrouded Panorama Bar, playing underground house and techno.

Disclosure - Manchester Central, Saturday 28th
November One of the most striking success stories in UK music in the past decade, Disclosure’s recent follow up LP, Caracal, may offer much of the same in terms of infectious dance pop, but their club friendly live show continues to excel. Expect to bounce.

Hiddenevents with Kassem Mosse - Saturday 28th 
Perfectly suited to Hidden’s underground, left of centre vibe, underground techno act Kassem Mosse continues his exploration of the out-there fringes of dance music with an occasionally experimental bent, accompanied on the night by Nicholas, Jamie Trench and the Hidden DJs.

Courtney Barnett - 02 Ritz, Monday 30th 
Known for her witty lyrics and ramshackle style, Courtney Barnett has ascended to become a true star of the alternative scene, returning once more to Manchester for a performance at The Ritz, likely focused on her recent, breakthrough LP, ‘Sometimes I Sit and Think’.

More Music and Nightlife in Manchester from Time Out.