What's On in Manchester

Sea Life Manchester — Start the day somewhere genuinely otherworldly — Sea Life Manchester is a glittering, bubbling escape that works its magic on visitors of every age, from wide-eyed toddlers to adults who quietly forget they were ever too cool for sharks. Doors open at 10:00am, making it a brilliant way to fill a summer morning before the evening kicks in. Check the website for ticket prices and booking.

Hayley Williams — The Paramore frontwoman steps into Manchester Academy at 7:00pm and, if her recent solo work is anything to go by, this is going to be one of those rare gigs that stops you in your tracks. Williams brings a raw, colourful intensity to everything she does — expect soaring vocals, a crowd that knows every word, and an atmosphere that buzzes long after the last note fades. Check the website for tickets, and do not sit on this one.

Queensryche — Progressive metal royalty Queensryche take the stage at Manchester Club Academy at 7:30pm, bringing with them decades of genre-defining riffs and the kind of theatrical, ambitious rock that simply does not get made enough any more. This is a night for the devoted faithful and curious newcomers alike — the Club Academy is an intimate enough room that you will feel every note. Check the website for tickets.

Stand-up workshop (weekly monday sessions) — Ever wondered whether you are actually funny, or just think you are? At 7:00pm on Oldham Street, this weekly stand-up workshop hands you the mic and lets you find out in the most supportive way possible. It is the kind of Monday night activity that could genuinely change how you see yourself — and at the very least, it will make for a better story on Tuesday. Check the website for details and pricing.

Hatched|| Creatures Comedy Club — For just £1, Creatures Comedy Club is offering you an evening of freshly hatched comedy at 7:00pm — new acts, new material, and the delicious unpredictability that comes with watching someone find their feet on stage. It is one of those nights where you feel like you are in on something before it becomes a big deal, and at that price, missing it would be genuinely hard to justify.

Off The Page || Creatures Comedy Club — Creatures Comedy Club keeps the laughs rolling with Off The Page at 8:30pm, a £3 late-night comedy session that rounds off the evening beautifully. Whether you caught the earlier Hatched show or are arriving fresh, this is a wonderfully low-stakes way to end a Monday with your sides aching and your spirits lifted. The venue is intimate, the price is next to nothing, and the fun is absolutely real.