We’re done with 2019. It’s time for veganuary, or joining a gym, or going sober, or realising it’s just another year and your getting older and life is meaningless and you’re eventually going to die, so we thought we’d curate a list of the shows we’re most looking forward to in 2020 to take yours, and our minds off it. To be honest, it’s already looking like an incredible year, and we’re bound to have a whole bunch more cool shows to be announced soon too. Happy 2020!

 

#10) KELIS – MONDAY 16TH MARCH

’20 years of Kaleidoscope’

In December ’99 Kelis released her genre-bending, ear catching debut album, a record that flourishes with afro-futurism and cutting-edge alt-pop that sounds as fresh today as it did back then. To celebrate its 20th Anniversary she’ll be playing the album in full, and some of her other huge hits live. A definite not to be missed show.

 

#9) THE HOUSE AND GARAGE ORCHESTRA – FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER 

‘The ultimate live celebration of UK house & garage’

After a run of sell out dates in 2018, including one with us, they’re back in 2020 with horns, and string sections, to bring the iconic sounds of the UK at the turn of the millennium to life! Some of the performers that originally recorded these hits will be joining in the celebration too.

 

#8) GOGO PENGUIN – THURSDAY 21ST MAY

‘The Radiohead of British Jazz’

Manchester’s very own jazz troupe Gogo Penguin have been nominated for the Mercury Prize back in 2014, same year as Damon Albarn, Young Fathers, and Jungle. They’ve since gone on to sell out Gorilla and Albert Hall once before. They mix rock, jazz, and electronic influences such as Four Tet and Aphex Twin very delicately into a sparse yet precise soundscape.

 

#7) RETRO – SATURDAY 1ST FEBRUARY

‘Our biggest line-up yet’

Retro returns after two HUGE sell outs in 2019, this time with its biggest line-up yet. On the decks will be Todd Terry, Paul Taylor and Jon Pleased Wimmin. Performing live are Barbara Tucker (Most Precious Love, Beautiful People, I Get Lifted), Duane Harden (You Don’t Know Me), K-Klass Ft Bobbi (Let Me Show You, Rhythm Is A Mystery).

 

#6) COURTEENERS – SATURDAY 15TH & SUNDAY 16TH FEBRUARY

‘4 Intimate album launch shows’

The biggest band in Manchester right now, Courteeners, play four intimate album launch shows exclusively for fans who’ve picked up copies of their new record ‘More. Again. Forever.’. No band has ever played 4 shows in 2 days at the hall, and there’s only a few tickets left for the Sunday, so be quick if you want to be there. It’s going to be a big year for the band, and we can’t wait to see if it starts with the album going to No. 1!

 

#5) KING KRULE – SUNDAY 22ND MARCH 

‘South London Wonderkid’ 

In our opinion King Krule is quite simply the most talented and distinctive musician of his generation. His gravel-cracked crooning vocals sit on a backdrop awash with jazz, blues, and hip hop tones. The show sold out in a day. If you didn’t get one this time have a listen and make sure you check him out wherever he plays next.

 

#4) DJ SHADOW – FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY

‘Pioneering producer and turntablist brings the innovation every time’ 

Last time DJ Shadow was in town he recorded a live album and DVD for worldwide release at The Albert Hall, a truly special memory. His show before that was ‘Renegades Of Rhythm’ – an exploration into Afrika Bambaataa’s record collection with Cut Chemist. His visual show is always unreal too. We can’t wait to see what he brings this time.

 

#3) GOLDFRAPP – WEDNESDAY 25TH MARCH

‘The first band ever to play live at Albert Hall’

Goldfrapp were the first band to play Albert Hall before it re-opened officially. Their set, in 2013 was part of Manchester International Festival and was an absolutely unique experience for the time. They had an orchestra on a raised stage and premiered songs from ‘Tales Of Us’, before they were released. It was the first time anyone had seen the space, and will live long in the memory.

 

#2) THE JESUS & MARY CHAIN – SATURDAY 21ST MARCH
‘Godfathers of melancholic pop’ 
One of the most influential British acts of all time, they’ll be playing their second album, ‘Darklands’ in its entirety. It’s the group’s highest peaking album in the charts to date. The record represents a dramatic shift in approach that stripped away the feedback to expose the skeletal guitar-pop at the music’s core.

 

#1) LA DISCOTHEQUE – SATURDAY 29TH FEBRUARY 
‘Glitter-fuelled explosion of confetti cannons, queens, flamingos, and top-notch music’
A star-studded cast touch down on 29th Feb as La Disco returns to where it all began for their first Manchester date of 2020. They bring disco’s finest disc spinners, glamorous dancers, and as much glitter as you can shake a tail feather at.