What’s On in February – Music

Ooh it’s been a bit chilly up in the North lately, so we’ve rounded up some musical treats to warm your cockles and cochleas.

BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is set to be a massive event this month. With more than 40 artists and DJs across six stages over three nights, the festival is bringing together local bands and some big names such as Royal Blood, The Maccabees, Maximo Park, British Sea Power and The War On Drugs. BBC Radio 6 Music Festival will take place on Tyneside from Friday February 20 to Sunday February 22, and though the night-time gigs are already fully booked there’s still some free tickets available for the day-time events.

Some other big names performing in the North this month are The Script who will be at First Direct Arena, Leeds on February 24. Rumer is performing at the Liverpool Epstein Theatre on February 20 and Reggae superstar Maxi Priest is in Manchester on February 24 at Band on the Wall.

If you fancy something a bit different, spoken word artist Kate Tempest is returning to Manchester. Following her success at the Manchester Literature Festival the playwright, novelist, poet and respected recording artist will combine rap, poetry and music at Gorilla on February 12.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the NME Awards Tour 2015 returns for its annual UK run, featuring artists such as Palma Violets, The Amazing Snakeheads and Slaves, and will be on at The Ritz, Manchester on February 26. People On Vacation, the group that joins Ryan Hamilton (Smile Smile) with Jaret Reddick (Bowling for Soup), will be at Sound Control, Manchester on February 28.

A pair of musical legends will be performing at the end of the month. Lionel Richie is at Manchester Arena on February 28 and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown will be at The Brindley, Liverpool on February 26. The latter will combine weird (and slightly terrifying) costumes and cracking tunes and is sure to be a surreal night.

For a more relaxing evening listen to Katherine Jenkins singing at The Sage Gateshead on February 28. And the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing Rhapsody in Blue on the same day at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. The orchestra will also be providing the soundtrack to a showing of Harold Lloyd’s 1923 comedy film, Safety Last.

By Stephanie Alderson

If you would like your band or venue included in next month’s preview send us your links, blogs and press releases to stephaniealderson@northernsoul.me.uk