Summer is here. After a really difficult winter, and a very mild spring, we've made it. Naturally, the highlight of Manchester's music scene this month will be Parklife.
The festival in Heaton Park will draw in thousands to the city to see huge acts like The 1975, Fred Again, and Aitch, but it's worth remembering where they started.
That's why, for this month's grassroots gig preview, we've picked out some festival favourites playing away from a field - see Kurt Vile, for example - and some new acts (like Sir Chloe) who we think will be playing to various bits of British countryside soon.
They're all playing in Manchester this month, so it's the perfect chance to support a venue and an act. Join our new WhatsApp community Manc Life by clicking this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HyyLIEMz8FD190U5lLNBNg. This is where the Manchester Evening News connects you to our favourite content about eating, drinking and having fun all across Greater Manchester and beyond! You can leave at any time, and find out more here. We've also made time to celebrate some returning heroes (such as Mono), and the usual smattering of noise we need to keep this city singing.