By Georgina Hurdsfield
Manchester International Festival is back for 2019 from 4th – 21st July, boasting an exciting line-up which gathers artists from over 20 different countries. MIF provides an electrifying cultural experience for the people of Manchester and afar, showcasing original music, art, theatre and so much more!
Opening the festival is Yoko Ono with her ‘BELLS FOR PEACE’, which invites festival-goers to join in on a mass-participatory art piece in Cathedral Gardens. This exhibitions requests participants to sing out for peace and was curated specifically for Manchester.
Another event we are excited to see is David Lynch’s art exhibition. For those of you who don’t know, David Lynch is a legendary artist, musician and director of works such as Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive and Blue Velvet. His artwork will take over every corner of HOME for 18 sensational days. In the cinema there will also be screenings of Lynch’s classic films as well as some rare shorts. Fingers crossed that he may actually turn up for his own mini festival at HOME!
For fans of grime, Skepta has curated a piece called ‘DYSTOPIA987’, taking place in a secret location in Manchester that presents his vision of the future. This will feature a live performance from the Mercury Prize winner himself, as well as handpicked DJs.
For those of you who love the idea of a festival but don’t quite fancy the camping bit, MIF will be turning Albert Square into its own miniature festival, featuring art pieces from Manchester School of Art and free live music as well as fabulous food and drink. Admission is free and festival square will be open till late throughout the duration of MIF.
If you’re looking for ways to get involved with the festival, there are many opportunities such as volunteering, joining online forums, artist development opportunities and MIF traineeships/internships. MIF is even offering a budget for people to throw their own mini-festival in their home with help from experienced producers.
Event listings and tickets can be found here. However, don’t forget more special events will be announced closer to the festival, including conversations, master classes and much more.
Featured image and gallery: Sally Stretch The Royston Club perform alongside Overpass and Permanent (Joy) at a sold-out O2 Victoria Warehouse. Welsh indie rock band The Royston Club, school friends who began playing together in 2017, now headline O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester. Touring second album Songs For The Spine, they generate an energetic sold-out…
Featured image: Radical Optimism Album Artwork / Warner Music Radical Optimism was released in May 2024 by Dua Lipa, an album which I have grown to love more and more after every listen, and earning my most-listened-to album on Spotify last year. However, critics had different opinions, with the Huffington Post declaring that it’s “great, but not…
Featured image: Press It’s a spring evening at Manchester Academy 2, and there is a stir of anticipation. An amicable, yet certainly eager crowd flock to the front of the sold-out venue, itching to secure a satisfactory view of the stage. Of course, Balu Brigada are worth the urgency. Formed in 2016 by multi-instrumentalist brothers…
Feature Image: Press “It’s important to find your people. Don’t feel like you have to find this incredible producer or person who’s going to give you loads of money and change your life” says Lauerence Tratalos, one-half of the Northern duo responsible for Misper; a feature debut for director Harry Sheriff and script writer Tratalos….
Leave a reply