Hey! Manchester promotes gigs by folk, Americana and experimental bands from around the world in Manchester, England. Read more here, see below for our latest shows, check out our previous shows, contact us, or join our mailing list, above.

Upcoming shows: Lambert... Withered Hand & Darren Hayman... Holy Moly & The Crackers... The Rural Alberta Advantage... Islet... BC Camplight... The Unthanks in Winter... Gratis: Chew Magna... John Craigie... John Francis Flynn... Novelty Island... Steven Adams & The French Drops... Junior Brother... Mull Historical Society... Rachael Lavelle... Beans on Toast... Nick Harper... Chris Brain... Jolie Holland... Ghostly Kisses... Francis of Delirium... The Handsome Family... The Lovely Eggs... Rain Parade...

When: 7.00pm and 9.00pm on Tuesday 28 September 2010
Where: Godlee Observatory, Sackville Street Building, Sackville Street, Manchester M1 3BB

Copyright © Simon Pardoe

Image copyright © Simon Pardoe

We are delighted to announce this exciting pair of show featuring one of our favourite artists playing in an incredible venue. This show will take place in the exceptional and beautiful confines of the Godlee Observatory, high above Manchester city centre. The observatory, which sits at the top of the Sackville Street Building on the University of Manchester’s North Campus (the old UMIST main building), has been home to the Manchester Astronomical Society since 1902, and still features the original 8-inch refractor, counterbalanced by a 12-inch Newtonian reflector telescopes from this era.

Darren Hayman, still adored by many for his work with Hefner, Britain’s Largest Small Band, will be celebrating this venue by playing a set of astronomical-inspired songs alongside tracks from his upcoming sixth solo album, Essex Arms. This will be a one-off set, combining Darren’s passion for space with an opportunity to experience an active telescope observatory. Attendees of the gig will have the opportunity to take a tour of the observatory, including the telescopes, which are accessed via a spiral staircase climbing up past the massive telescope pier supported by the steel I-beams that span the tower.

Due to the limited capacity of the observatory, Darren will be performing two intimate sets, at 7pm and 9pm. This will be a fantastic opportunity to see arguably one of the best British lyricists of the last 15 years in a stunning venue, to a handful of people.

This special event – a co-promotion with our friends over at Pull Yourself Together – is made possible thanks to the lovely people at the Manchester Astronomical Society.

Tickets for these shows sold out in one minute. Sign up for our mailing list and follow us on Twitter to be updated about similarly fun future shows. TICKET BUYERS: please read this.



All shows are 18+ unless otherwise stated.