'Parklife will take centre stage in Manchester - but its supporting cast are equally good'

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.

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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. Festival season 2023 is upon us, and it's great to be back.

Indie-dream five-piece Sir Chloe was initially formed by frontwoman Dana Foote for a college project. A viral hit and a few years later, they’re dominating the alt-scene with quietly-rowdy tunes you can really melt into.

Track ‘Michelle’ went viral on TikTok - and it’s no surprise why, with its belting chorus and hints of ‘50s influences in its cadences. Debut album Party Favors soon followed in 2020, featuring stand-out tracks ‘Squaring Up’ and ‘Sedona.’

Constantly evolving, the Vermont-based outfit