Manchester Soundwave Festival is going bigger than ever in 2027, with a host of well-known artists confirmed as the event expands into a three-day celebration of live music and family entertainment.
The popular festival will return to Mersey Valley Sports Club in Ashton upon Mersey, Sale from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 June 2027. And as Soundwave prepares to celebrate its fifth anniversary, organisers are taking things to the next level, bringing internationally renowned artists to Sale alongside the tribute acts that have helped make the festival a popular fixture in the local calendar.
Happy Mondays vocalist Rowetta, iconic 90s dance group Black Box, UK garage duo Artful Dodger and Italian dance act Livin' Joy are among the first names announced, with more still to come.
Three days of music
The festival kicks off on Friday 11 June with a celebration of Manchester music, headlined by Rowetta. The evening will also feature tributes to Oasis, The Verve and The Courteeners, plus DJ sets from Darren Proctor and Hed Kandi's Andy Daniels.
Saturday 12 June sees the festival turn up the dance music, with Black Box – best known for their huge 1989 hit Ride on Time – leading the line-up. They'll be joined by Artful Dodger, Livin' Joy and DJ Darren Proctor, while Jam Saxx will bring live saxophone performances to some of the biggest 90s club anthems.
More headline acts are still to be revealed, along with the entertainment planned for Sunday 13 June.
The expanded programme marks a significant step forward for Soundwave, which began as a tribute music weekend and has steadily grown into a much bigger community event.
Festival director Louis Pearson said: "Soundwave has grown enormously over the last five years and reaching this milestone felt like the perfect opportunity to take things to another level.
"We started out as a tribute music weekend, but we've always wanted to create something that brings the local community together. For 2027, we're expanding the festival into three days, bringing some incredible names to Sale and creating an experience that the whole family can enjoy.
"Rowetta and Black Box are just the beginning. We've got plenty more exciting announcements to come and we can't wait to celebrate five years of Soundwave with everyone."
Soundwave 2027 will feature two stages of live performances, alongside a traditional funfair, market stalls, independent traders, street food vendors and bars. There'll also be dancers, roaming performers and entertainment throughout the festival site, giving families plenty to enjoy away from the main stage.
The festival will continue its partnership with Manchester-based charity Prevent Breast Cancer, with visitors able to make optional donations when purchasing tickets and contribute to fundraising collections throughout the weekend.
Tickets on sale now
Tickets for Manchester Soundwave 2027 are now available, with adult, child and family options.
Children under five can attend free of charge, while VIP packages will offer extras including golden circle access, dedicated seating, private bars and fast-track entry. Private VIP pods will also be available.
