MANCHESTER JAZZ FESTIVAL 2026
Manchester Jazz Festival is back and as ever Band on the Wall is playing host of a range of top notch acts from around the world this May!
Discover the full programme below, featuring free shows in The Copper Bar.
Thursday 21 May 2026
YELLOW JACKETS – Thursday 21 May – Band on the Wall | TICKETS
Well into their fifth decade as a band, Yellowjackets show no signs of slowing down. Very much the opposite, in fact – as implied by the title of their latest release, Fasten Up, the 27th album of the quartet’s storied career and their seventh for Mack Avenue Records. The curious turn of phrase, taken from the exhilarating title tune by bassist Dane Alderson,embraces the band’s ethos of unbridled momentum while carrying the suggestion of cautionary warning: brace yourself, fasten those seatbelts, Yellowjackets are back and the pedal’s to the metal.
Finite Experience – Thursday 21 May – The Copper Bar | FREE
The Finite Experience is an Afro Jazz-Fusion project and collective that serves as a vessel for Bandleader/multi instrumentalist Terhiles artistic voice. Through this evolving soundscape, He blends the rhythmic richness of Afrobeat with the improvisational spirit of jazz, inviting listeners into a world where tradition and innovation coexist in harmony.
Calico – Thursday 21 May – The Copper Bar | FREE
Hailing from a combo of Manchester and the hills of the Peak District, Calico are a 5-piece collective who fuse pop hooks, catchy melodies, and blissful harmonies with elements of jazz, folk, blues, samba, and trip hop.
With influences ranging from Hiatus Kaiyote to Sault via Erykah Badu, Zero 7, Robert Glasper, 4hero, John Martyn, and Portishead, a Calico song is as likely to soundtrack a hot summer’s evening dancing in to the early hours, as it is a crisp autumn night by the fire.
Friday 22 May 2026
Thiara Collective – Friday 22 May – The Copper Bar | FREE
Thiara Collective have come to reclaim their mark on the scene. Infused with the innovative ethos of the UK’s underground scene, their sound is a dynamic fusion of rhythmically audacious grooves, and a melting pot of harmony with a heavy woodwind and brass lead sound. A combination of R&B, Jazz, soul and funk create a borderless sound which truly reflects all of their inspiration.
Yoni Mayraz – Friday 22 May – The Copper Bar | FREE
Yoni Mayraz Traverses Fears and Desires on New Album Dogs Bark Babies Cry, Out September 5 on PPK Records Keyboardist and producer Yoni Mayraz returns with his anticipated new album, ’Dogs Bark Babies Cry’ set for release on September 5th 2025, via PPK Records (by Pino Palladino & David Passick). The follow-up to his breakout debut ‘Dybbuk Tse!’ sees Mayraz pushing his singular sound into deeper, wilder territory.
Saturday 23 May 2026
Somewhere Soul presents Cotonete – Saturday 23 May – Band on the Wall | TICKETS
Parisian eight-piece band Cotonete built their reputation through a series of rare singles and collaborations, notably with Dimitri from Paris, before releasing their first album in 15 years, Super-Vilains, in 2019 on Heavenly Sweetness. That record’s moody grooves and live shows across France and the UK—especially their Dingwalls appearance hosted by Gilles Peterson and Patrick Forge—cemented their reputation. Along the way, a creative connection with Brazilian legend Di Melo produced Atemporal, an eight-track blend of funk and Brazilian soul later sampled by Drake on his 2023 album For All the Dogs Scary Hours Edition.
Somewhere Soul Club Night – Saturday 23 May – Band on the Wall | TICKETS
Josh Mason-Quinn is a London-based DJ, label A&R, event programmer, and founder of new music discovery platform Somewhere Soul.
Obsessed with the idea that his favourite music is still out there waiting to be discovered, he’s garnered an online following of over 1 million music fans who are locked into his music selections spanning jazz fusion, psychedelic soul, Afro-funk, global groove, and more.
Manchild – Saturday 23 May – The Copper Bar | Free
Leeds based jazz/electronica trio make their first appearance at Manchester Jazz Festival. Expect drum, synth and saxophone theatrics. For fans of Knower, Corto Alto, Herbie Hancock etc
Nout – Saturday 23 May – The Copper Bar | TICKETS
“A riot of musicianship, foundation-shaking noise and fearless originality.” – All About Jazz
Flute, harp, drums: a rare combination turned upside down by this explosive, effervescent French trio on their UK debut. The missing link between Nirvana and Sun Ra, Nout pushes those instruments beyond their limits with the enthusiasm of a mad scientist in front of his vials.
Following in the wake of John Zorn’s experiments at the border of jazz and noise, Nout’s music thrusts you through surprising twists and turns: starting, eyes shut, on the red seat of a movie theatre, and ending up rocking in a mosh pit.
Sunday 24 May 2026
Flo/ra – Sunday 24 May – The Copper Bar | FREE
A genre-blurring instrumental jazz quintet fronted by Flo Taylor who shares stories of late-diagnosis, identity and grief interspersed with their intricately arranged compositions.
Jazz Workshop Band – Sunday 24 May – The Copper Bar | FREE
Taught and directed by renowned saxophonist Munch Manship, Band on the Wall’s long running Jazz Workshop has become a creative hub for musicians from across the North West who are passionate about Jazz.
On 24th May, the workshop’s band will be performing arrangements of some of the hottest and coolest numbers from the giants of Jazz at Manchester’s iconic music venue.