Super excited for what I’d consider my favourite festival of the year – NEIGHBOURHOOD FESTIVAL 2022! One single reasonably priced ticket gets you entry to 13 (yes THIRTEEN) different venues! Each with their own lineup of music acts all day and late into the night! You can pick and choose where you go and when!? I guarentee with this much choice you won’t be disappointed… But the best part? It all takes place in God’s very own MANCHESTER!

Having been to each one since it’s launch in 2016 we have some advice on how to make the most of your day…

TREAT IT LIKE A PROPER FESTIVAL

OK so you might not need your wellies but it’s definitely worth considering dressing for big crowds and a rapid change in the weather. You’ll be navigating your way through the city so yes all amenities are on your doorstep. But if you’re as committed as we are, you will want to plan your day’s lineup with very little distraction. Easier said than done given there’s always a number of things going on in the city! But it would be wise to pack your pockets with all the things you might need rather than having to hunt it down and dare I say it – missing an act.

PLAN YOUR OWN GIG LINEUP

You have to start by picking out 4/5 acts you definitely want to see. Next, you want to check which venues they are scheduled to play at – use the official app! And now it’s about planning your route through the city streets to ensure you see them all. Got a spare hour between the Academy and Albert Hall? Call in at the Deaf Institute en route and discover something new!

For the biggest acts you can be queueing to get in so like at any festival, it would be beneficial getting into the venue at least 1 act early. You’ll never be short of entertainment and at least you guarantee your spot – it’s first come first serve!

DON’T MISS THE LAUNCH PARTY

Hard-Fi are back together 8 years since they last played together for the launch party gig on the Friday night before the day of the festival – don’t miss it!

“HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU’VE NEVER BEEN?”

With so many venues on offer this is the perfect excuse for you to go visit a music venue you haven’t been to before. Don’t even look at the lineup – just go. Do it. Pee into the wind. The Bread Shed, Zombie Shack, Bunny Jackson’s and Canvas – all have lineups from midday until late evening!

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

It’s impossible to go to a festival and not hear at least 1 band you’ve never heard of. But one thing you can do is pick a couple of random names from the lineup… And have a quick listen to their stuff before the big day! If you’re intrigued – check ’em out! If they sound shit – avoid ’em!

TWELVE ACTS TO LOOK OUT FOR AT NEIGHBOURHOOD FESTIVAL 2022

By that token, we’re going to do some of the leg work for you! So we’ve picked out 12 acts we recommend you see. Click play to learn more:

The K’s

These secret special guests were a late addition to the line-up!

Alfie Templeman

The song you’ve most likely already heard on this list…

Pastel

Manchester band recently opened for Liam Gallagher at Knebworth

Brooke Combe

Charlie Salt (Blossoms) played bass on her album – can we expect a special appearance on the day…?

Rianne Downey

Had a lot of love from the BBC Introducing team and a great set at The Big Feastival last year…

Courting

Currently on the Radio X playlist…

Afflecks Palace

More than just a name!

The Snuts

We interviewed The Snuts – great band!

The Utopiates

Get your ears round this!

Seb Lowe

“Politics-sort-with-music-type-guy.”

Tom A. Smith

Young lad often championed by Tim Burgess – definitely one to look out for!

The Skinner Brothers

Rasping vocals with the soul to match the grit