What's On in Manchester

Ruff 'n' Tuff Hifi - Dub Day Jah Vu — Kick your Friday off early with a genuine one-of-a-kind afternoon at The Bag Factory, where Ruff 'N' Tuff HiFi bring the deep, chest-rattling weight of a proper sound system to Manchester from 1:00pm. Dub culture at its most authentic, this is the kind of afternoon that turns a regular Friday into something you'll be talking about for weeks — and at just £4, it's practically a gift.

Beverley Knight - Born To Perform Tour — If you want a masterclass in what it means to own a stage, Beverley Knight at the O2 Apollo Manchester at 7:00pm is your Friday night sorted. One of the most powerful voices Britain has ever produced, her Born To Perform Tour promises exactly that — an evening of soulful, joyful, and frankly breathtaking live music in one of the city's most iconic venues. Check the website for tickets, and do it soon.

Meekz: Album Launch Show (14+ with an Adult) — Manchester's own Meekz celebrates his album launch at Gorilla from 7:00pm in what promises to be a genuinely electric homecoming moment — the kind of gig where you can feel the pride in the room. With tickets priced at £15–£25 and the doors open to anyone 14 and over when accompanied by an adult, this is a rare chance to be in the room for a significant chapter in the city's music story.

Joanne McNally: Pinotphile — Ireland's sharpest and most brilliantly chaotic comedian brings her Pinotphile show to the Palace Theatre Manchester at 8:00pm, and if you've ever seen Joanne McNally work a crowd, you'll know this is not one to miss. Expect unflinchingly honest, laugh-until-it-hurts storytelling from a performer at the very top of her game. Check the website for tickets — this one is almost certainly selling fast.

Hidden Jungle & DNB Rave: Sl8r, Metrodome, Rocco harris + More — From 10:00pm, Hidden transforms into a jungle and drum and bass playground with a lineup that reads like a love letter to the underground — Sl8r, Metrodome, Rocco Harris and more bringing the energy through the night. The price is almost offensively reasonable at £3–£5, making this the kind of spontaneous late-night decision that ends up being the best of the week.

Funkademia presents Get On Down — Before the night gets properly wild, New Century Kitchen hosts Funkademia's Get On Down from 6:00pm — a funk, soul, and groove-soaked early evening that sets the perfect tone for whatever comes next. At just £4, it's the finest possible warm-up to the weekend, and Funkademia's reputation for filling a floor with pure joy is well and truly earned.