Red Balloon Summer Music Festival

The Monastery Manchester in association with Red Balloon Music present our 2nd summer acoustic music festival!

A real treat for acoustic music lovers is this grassroots summer music festival by local promoters, Red Balloon Music. See stunning live performances from some of the region’s most talented performers, with their unplugged prowess amplified by the incredible acoustics of the Monastery’s Great Nave.

TOM BLACKWELL

Now based on Teesside, Tom Blackwell emerged from the Manchester folk club circuit, where he discovered the country, blues and gospel music that would become the foundations of his work

Between 2010-2011 a succession of homemade recorded demo collections garnered somewhat of a cult following, then in 2012 The Viper label of Liverpool (Edgar Jones) released a compilation of these tracks.

The record received support from BBC Radio 2 & 6 Music.

After a tumultuous start to 2014, Blackwell found himself embarking on a 3 month pilgrimage of America.

Armed only with a guitar and the clothes on his back, he travelled thousands of miles over rail and bus, before a chance meeting in Nashville with sound engineer Matt Wyman led to the recording of Tyrone The Gun.

The album found critical acclaim and named as one of Country Music People magazine’s albums of the year in 2015.

In 2018 he decided to undertake an archive project to document his early material in the barest of forms.

The ‘Memphis Volumes’ were just that, hushed vocal and guitar takes captured in various Merseyside dwellings onto an old Tascam cassette recorder.

His second official long player, Regency Cafe, was released in the late summer of 2023.

A prolific writer with a visceral and dynamic performance style, Blackwell has been performing across the UK and beyond for the last 15 years, honing his craft both on and off stage.

Experience this live in the magical setting of The Monastery in Manchester on this Summer Sunday afternoon!

Check out Tom’s website here.

BIG SOCIETY

Big Society have big things on the horizon!

Starting life as a student indie rock ‘n’ roll band, Big Society have since played sell-out shows in Manchester and become a Spotify hit.

Their music has been described as:

“A gorgeous melting together of sleazy riffs lathered in distortion and something altogether more tender” – DIY Mag.

They have been compared to various artists, including MGMT, War On Drugs, King Creosote, Alabama Shakes, and even Harry Styles.

Their exploration of sound has captured the attention of discerning ears, earning them radio support from luminaries like Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing Manchester, Radio X (including John Kennedy’s X-Posure Hot One), XS Manchester’s Shell Zenner, Amazing Radio UK, and the US, cementing Big Society as a force to be reckoned with in the indie-rock scene.

With a debut album coming in 2024, now is the time to catch them live!

Check out Big Society’s website here.

JAMES HOLT

“Brisk, funny, exciting… feels fresh and exciting to listen to” – Brian Eno

Bolton-born singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, James Holt has long been championed by music industry giants, such as legendary producer Brian Eno, and the listening public alike.

With an arresting voice that is reminiscent of John Lennon or early Bob Dylan, wily lyrics and an upbeat weave of rock, prog and blues.

The craftsmanship and energy of James’ song-writing translates effortlessly to his stage performance, having performed at the UK’s most prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and sell-out shows at the Deaf Institute, Manchester and Hope & Anchor, London – it’s easy to see why his remarkable music is turning heads.

“Very talented, very wonderful – absolutely love his voice” – BBC Introducing Manchester

“With an arresting voice that is reminiscent of John Lennon or early Bob Dylan, wily lyrics and an upbeat weave of rock, prog and blues, it’s obvious to see why his remarkable music is turning heads” – Manchester Evening News

Check out James Holt’s website here.

Doors open at 12.30pm, and music will run from 1pm until 4.30pm.

Tickets are £15 each – with all money raised going towards The Monastery Organ Restoration Fund.

Click here to book your tickets

Directions to the Monastery here.