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At the top of the bill is Keo - hailing from London, the band has quickly become household names in the indie rock scene. Their debut album ‘Put A Smile On For Me’ is due to release on September 25th, so you can be sure to expect some new hits on the setlist at the festival.
Irish indie-rock group Florence Road feature on the lineup, with recent releases of ‘7563’ and their ‘Spring Forward’ EP, setting the tone for what could be expected from their performance. Renowned for their energetic live shows and fiery, raw indie sound, the band have been making a name for themselves beyond Ireland. Their appearance comes at an exciting time, allowing fans to catch the group in a smaller venue before they hit the bigger stages.
Recently added to the third wave of the lineup is Manchester hometown hero: Alex Spencer. After his own headline tour, touring with Louis Tomlinson in Europe and releasing his new EP, it’s safe to say Spencer has had quite the year. With his infectious indie sound and energetic live performances, a return to Manchester since headlining Academy 2 is set to be one to look forward to.
Manchester act Cherryholt are set to bring their distinctive sound and energy to a hometown crowd. Their catchy tunes like ‘Irresistible’ will make you want to get up and dance. London-born beaux is one you don’t want to miss, as this is his only appearance this year following the cancellation of his tour. With hits like ‘I’ll Be Here When You’re Back’ and ‘Cut My Hair’, fans will no doubt be singing every lyric back to him.
Despite boasting some incredible headliners on the lineup, there are so many undiscovered artists heading to the festival. This will be Dreamhouse’s first festival, comprising James McVey and Connor Ball of The Vamps, and Alex Stacey. You can expect feel-good tunes with an electro-pop sound. Their upcoming song ‘Dreaming Alone’ will be featured on the FC27 soundtrack.
Belfast’s Esmeralda Road have been on the rise, with their track ‘I Think’ making its way through TikTok. Before heading to Neighbourhood, the band will head out on their sold-out headline tour, making their festival appearance another highlight for what has already been a busy year for the group. Heidi Curtis is another name to keep an eye on, adding even more to an already stacked roster of talent. Driven by heavy guitars and a North West influence, Curtis’ music is deeply rooted in the power of storytelling.
The multi-venue festival will be hosted at sites such as Gorilla, Deaf Institute, O2 Ritz and YES. With such a variety of acts spread across the city, fans can create their own schedule, seeing both familiar faces and the voices of the next generation of music.
Neighbourhood Festival is shaping up to be one of the highlights in Manchester’s autumn calendar. Whether you’re there for your favourite artist or to discover the best new bands, the festival has many reasons to brave the darker evenings and head to the city for a day of live music.
Micha Thompson
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