30 Years on Oldham Street 21 November 2021 As the Night and Day Cafe reaches a landmark birthday, we ask those who know it well for their memories and cherished moments.
Live / stage review Guy Garvey has us in the crook of his Elbow at Manchester’s Apollo 7 October 2021 Now Then attends Elbow’s long-awaited show—delayed but not dampened by Covid.
Live / stage review Green Island Festival 3 October 2021 The festival's latest installation in the heart of Hulme attracted its largest gathering to date. Now Then spoke to the co-directors on the day.
Peer Support for Everybody Under the Hat 30 September 2021 Nick Kenyon of Northern Quarter bar and live music venue the Peer Hat tells us about their last 18 months and his thoughts on the future.
Live / stage review Damon Albarn makes a triumphant return to Manchester International Festival 26 July 2021 Under the elegant curvature of Manchester Central, MIF has delivered a long-awaited live performance by Damon Albarn.
Live / stage review MIF Debuts Arlo Parks' New Material 22 July 2021 Arlo Parks' Manchester International Festival show marked an emotional return to live music after the long hiatus.
Pipe Streams 22 April 2021 A panel of music industry professionals considered how live music could recover in 2021.
Janelle Monae MIF Retrospective 1 February 2020 Emblazoned with promise, creation stories begin with an embryonic hope. Whether your most valued creation story is found in a holy book,…
Live / stage review Henge 16 October 2019 A healthy crowd turned out for the latest landing of Henge in Manchester. Unlike the War of the Worlds, which is currently undergoing yet…
Jason Singh Manchester Jazz Festival 14 April 2019 Featuring Jason Singh, Roller Trio, Werkha and more...
Live / stage review Irma Vep 16 January 2019 When you are a bassist rocking out like Moema, you know something good is going on.
Live / stage review Fab Sunday Special 16 November 2018 It’s a strange feeling to leave the early November afternoon daylight behind and descend the steps to the darkened environment that forms…
Live / stage review Agbeko 21 October 2018 Agbeko raised the roof of the Soup Kitchen at their sold out gig. The Manchester 11-piece’s no holds barred performance was clearly loved…
Live / stage review Tom Odell 20 October 2018 Odell began his set with a focussed piano ballad, immediately captivating audiences with his stage presence, which was surprisingly large…
Head for the Hills Rebalancing the Festival Line-up 15 October 2018 We review the Ramsbottom-based festival, which shows a gender balance unseen on other events' line-ups.
Live / stage review Manchester Jazz Festival 2018 16 August 2018 There's been a London jazz renaissance. My friend, Ted, went to university in 1990, before any of us left the small town we lived in, and…
Tramlines From MCR With Love 15 July 2018 Now Then Manchester takes a trip across the Pennines for Tramlines Festival.
Head for the Hills Unsung Heroes 17 September 2017 We review the debut Head for the Hills, with a focus on the unsung heroes of this festival’s evolution: the volunteers.
