Daria Chromik: Lunchtime Piano Concert
2026-03-26 13:00 - 14:00 UTC | Henry Watson Music Library
Acclaimed Polish pianist, Daria Chromik, will be appearing at the Henry Watson Music Library for a special lunchtime performance.

Presenting ‘Between Note and Emotion – Piano Recital’, the concert will offer a unique opportunity for audiences to hear the artist perform in this intimate setting for the first time.
Daria Chomik is a pianist with over 29 years of experience. Her performances take audiences on a journey through musical eras — from Chopin’s classics, through contemporary piano works, to film music including themes from Game of Thrones and “Experience” by Ludovico Einaudi*.
Daria enjoys exploring connections between styles, showing that every kind of music can be beautiful.

Short introductions during the concert provide context, highlight stylistic features, and guide listeners through an engaging and emotional musical experience.
Appearing at the Henry Watson Music Library of Central Library on 26th March, expect a breathtaking audience with this most sublime of pianists.

Book tickets here or click on ‘Book Now’ below and ‘pay-what-you can’.
All donations go to Manchester Libraries to support future activities.

嘢嘢YardYard: DJ workshop & live show
2026-04-16 17:00 - 19:45 | Henry Watson Music Library
YardYard will be launching their event series “Pendulum世界术” with a debut programme at Henry Watson Music Library of Central Library.

Kicking off the series will be a special interactive DJ workshop, experimental live set, and high energy DJ set.
In their first event outside of London in the UK, the rising creative arts collective will be connecting with the Manchester music scene for the first time.
Featuring a free drop-in DJ deck session for all adventurous and curious ears, you are invited to tune into the generous in-house heritage 808 DJ deck, with two open-ear Chinese DJs. A multilingual workshop, this innovative session will offer support for rising DJs of all abilities in both English and Chinese.
After the workshop, three talents will be sharing a snapshot of their current sonic world and artistic direction with two live acts. These will include an experimental live set from Yewen Jin and YUNA阿尘, plus an audio-visual DJ set from tongktongktong.
The “Pendulum世界术” series is dedicated to events that allow creatives from all around the world to share their gestalt-free singularisation and the trace in their pursuit.
SET TIMES
17:00-18:00 – DJ Workshop Drop In
18:10-18:50 – Yewen Jin and YUNA阿尘
19:00-19:40 – tongktongktong.
Book tickets here or click on ‘Book Now’ below and ‘pay-what-you can’.
All donations go to Manchester Libraries to support future activities.

The Fleecers: Live!
2026-04-25 15:00 - 16:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
One of the hottest emerging talents in the North West, The Fleecers, will be performing live in the Henry Watson Music Library this Spring.

A group of prodigiously talented music students aged 14-17, The Fleecers formed in Cheadle Hulme in 2025. In their short time together, the rising indie-rock four-piece have since been making ripples around the region with a series of shows in clubs, pubs, and house parties.

Already getting a formidable reputation for their passionate live shows, the band’s energising covers of classics by the likes of Oasis, Radiohead, The Verve, Stereophonics, and others have gone down a storm with audiences.

Recently the band released their debut single “Home”, an irresistible indie-rock belter recommended for fans of The K’s to The Royston Club, The Courteeners to Arctic Monkeys. With their fan base surging, the track has already hit over 50,000 streams and counting. Listen to “Home” here: “Home” – The Fleecers

They may be The Fleecers by name, but this pay-what-you-can show at Central Library promises to be worth every penny… Catch them here on Saturday 25th April while you can.

Book tickets here or click on ‘Book Now’ below and ‘pay-what-you can’.
All donations go to Manchester Libraries to support future activities.

Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love: Richard Houghton in conversation
2026-04-30 18:00 - 19:00
‘Led Zeppelin – Whole Lotta Love’ is a people’s history of the biggest rock band in the world. And on Thursday 30 April, its author Richard Houghton will be talking all about it, in the Henry Watson Music Library.
This extraordinary book tells Zeppelin’s story in the words of over 750 fans, as recounted by concert goers, roadies, promoters and others who encountered the band across their 12-year career.
Led Zeppelin were formed in 1968 by Yardbirds guitarist Jimmy Page, who recruited singer Robert Plant, drummer John ‘Bonzo’ Bonham and John Paul Jones. From there, Led Zeppelin toured North America relentlessly in the early part of the seventies, regularly smashing concert attendance and box office records, playing the legendary songs ‘Whole Lotta Love’, ‘Stairway To Heaven’ and ‘Rock & Roll’ at shows that fans now recall as the best they ever saw.
Packed with memories going back to Robert Plant’s earliest performances, this book charts Zep’s concert career in all its glory and infamy – from the earliest Zeppelin shows, to the five nights at London’s Earls Court in 1975, Knebworth Festival in 1979, and 2007’s epic O2 reunion show.
Richard Houghton is the author of over 20 books about music, specialising in people’s histories that tell the story of an act in the words of fans. He has compiled authorised ‘fanthologies’ on Jethro Tull, Simple Minds, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, The Stranglers, Shaun Ryder (Happy Mondays), Fairport Convention, The Wedding Present and The Ukrainians. He lives in Manchester, UK.
Providing a fresh take on the enduring band that has sold over 300 million albums worldwide, hear Richard Houghton in conversation about ‘Led Zeppelin – Whole Lotta Love’

Book tickets here or click on ‘Book Now’ below and ‘pay-what-you can’. All donations go to Manchester Libraries to support future activities.

Full Volume Podcast Episode15: Shaun Wilson
2026-05-07 08:00 - 2026-05-31 17:00 | Online
Presenters Alan Lynch and his co-host Gary Parkinson – bring you all the latest and greatest from across Manchester Libraries.
This May, Alan sits down with rising Cumbrian author Shaun Wilson, who tells all on his acclaimed debut novel ‘Malc’s Boy’. Shaun will be coming to Central Library later this month in person for a special author Q&A, hosted by Tony Walsh
Plus, coin collectors will love our special feature with Steve Ingham who tells us all about the Numismatics Society who meet once a month at Central Library. Alan once thought he’d found a rare Rupert the Bear 50 pence, until the penny dropped… hear more about it in this episode.
Elsewhere, Elle takes us to reviewers corner once again as she sinks her teeth into the new novel by poet Neil Rollinson called “The Dead Don’t Bleed”. Hear her two cents on it here.
Plus, Alan heads to Chorlton and Didsbury Libraries to get the scoop on their latest happenings, plus news of their involvement in the Chorlton Arts Festival and Didsbury Arts Festival respectfully.
And there’s a roundup of what’s going on around the local Manchester Libraries throughout the month, a choice archive clip from the Piccadilly Radio archive of when the Pope came to Heaton Mark, and all the usual fun and games.
Turn it up, and tune in to Episode 15 now
Watch out for a new episode next month….

Concert: Sedbergh Prep School Choir
2026-05-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Sedbergh Prep School will bring their tour to Manchester Central Library Saturday 9th May.
Mixing cultural activities with performances in a few well-known establishments around the city, the Casterton choir will be calling-in at the Henry Watson Music Library.
Based in the North-west, they have performed recent concerts at esteemed venues such as Bolton Priory, St Mary’s Church in Kirkby Lonsdale, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, and St Helen and St Martin’s York.
Composed of children aged 10-13 years old, the choir will be promising a mixture of songs to suit all tastes. The choir will be accompanied by the Head of Music at Sedbergh Prep School, Sian Norman.
Set to be a special, informal, early morning performance – all are welcome to attend this choral session from 10AM.
Free – just drop in.
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library.

2hr DJ Workshop at Central Library
2026-05-14 17:00 - 19:00
Join us for a hands-on DJ and music production workshop at Central Library.
Hosted by tutor Niah Jemijog, this 2 hour session is designed to be an accessible, creative, and engaging tutorial for all experience levels.
This small group session will cover the fundamentals of beat making, mixing, and live looping/DJ performance, using industry-standard tools like Ableton Live, MIDI Controllers and live instruments.
The workshop will take a multi-genre approach, encouraging participants to explore and create across styles such as hip hop, electronic, house, experimental, and more.
The focus will be on building confidence, developing practical skills, and giving people the tools to start honing their musical intuition and creating their own music straight away.
With a strong emphasis on inclusion, creativity, and real-world application, this group session in the Henry Watson Music Library on the first floor will be suitable for all ages and abilities.
Tickets are limited, so be quick!
Book tickets here or click on ‘Book Now’ below and ‘pay-what-you can’.
All donations go to Manchester Libraries to support future activities.

Library Lunchtime Choir
2026-05-19 12:30 - 13:15 | Henry Watson Music Library
Fancy a sing on your lunch break? Or just a feel-good sing to boost your day? Then come along to our regular Library Lunchtime Choir session!
There is no pressure to be a virtuoso, we’re just singing to feel better. The session will be 45 minutes of warm-ups and an arrangement of a well-known tune. You don’t need to be able to read music, we will learn everything by ear using the lyrics.
Sessions are run by Sarah Adams (Choirs Manchester) and the ethos is all about setting a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy singing together as a group.
Come along with a friend or on your own, it’ll be a friendly, laid back session!
Free – just drop in.
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Music Q&A: 'THE BEAUTIFUL DEATH OF OZZY OSBOURNE' with KEITH KAHN-HARRIS
2026-06-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Acclaimed author Keith Kahn-Harris will be coming to the Henry Watson Music Library to discuss his new book ‘The Beautiful Death of Ozzy Osbourne’.
What is a ‘good death’? How about this: After years of terrible health, you gather friends and admirers for one last, glorious party. A couple of weeks later, you slip away, surrounded by your loving family. Then, the world comes to mourn. That is how Birmingham’s favourite son, Ozzy Osbourne, died.
By his death in June 2025 – at an age few believed he’d reach – Ozzy was much-loved, far beyond the metal world. Once a feared, demonic figure to some (and a joke to others), his Back to the Beginning farewell concert at Villa Park raised millions for charity.
In concise, arresting chapters moving from Death to Life via Art, Politics, Sex, Bodies, Voice, Family, Myth and more, Kahn-Harris explores how Ozzy – of all people! – attracted such generosity of spirit. The answer, he finds, is deeply embedded within the story and culture of metal – and has lessons for us all.
Keith Kahn-Harris has been writing about metal since the mid-1990s and he is one of the founders of Metal Studies as a discipline. Alongside his scholarly work, he has written metal journalism for many years, most recently for The Quietus, alongside books on language, and Jewishness.
Join Keith in person as he talks through the book at our Henry Watson Music Library on Monday 1st June at 6pm.
Tickets are just ‘pay-what-you-can’.
All donations go to Manchester Libraries.

Choirs Manchester - Live Performance
2026-06-13 14:00 - 15:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Come along to the Henry Watson Music Library for some exceptional choral music from: Choirs Manchester.
Choirs Manchester are a collective of choirs running in Chorlton and Withington. They are all about singing to feel good and love nothing more than performing their original arrangements of current and classic tunes. They have performed yearly at the renowned Manchester 10k, at Refuge, Manchester and are consistently part of local community events in South Manchester such as Chorlton Arts Festival and for the charity Emmeline’s Pantry.
Choirs Manchester are led by the talented Sarah Adams, who among her many other accolades has conducted the Manchester’s Survivors’ Choir and performed alongside Take That. As a singer/songwriter of her own accord, she has also performed in reputable venues across the city such as Band on the Wall, Manchester Academy, Bury Met, Deaf Institute and been part of the ‘Live at Lunchtime’ series at Bridgewater Hall.
Speaking about Choirs Manchester and their concerts, Sarah says:
“I pride myself on creating a relaxed, no pressure environment that is all about singing to feel good and my ability to encourage a sense of community during a session. It is an empowering activity, not just for an individual but also for connecting people as a group.”
This June, take a seat in the historic music library, sit-back, watch, listen, and immerse yourself in their uplifting vibe.
Free – just drop in.
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Never Mind The Books Here’s PUNK DAY!
2026-07-11 11:30 - 16:30 | Henry Watson Music Library
This July, the Henry Watson Music Library will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Sex Pistols’ iconic 1976 gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall.
A definitive milestone in the city’s musical history, Sex Pistols’ first appearance in Manchester has since become the stuff of rock legend. Named “the most important gig of all time” by the NME, it was a watershed moment that ushered in a new generation of artists and a new way of thinking, and redefined music in the North, and beyond, forever.

With the former Lesser Free Trade Hall just across the street, the Henry Watson Music Library at Central Library will be commemorating that legendary date with a day that salutes everything PUNK.

Promising a packed afternoon of themed talks and Q&As, acclaimed author DAVID NOLAN will be presenting his book “I Swear I Was There – Sex Pistols, Manchester and the Gig that Changed the World”. Despite thousands claiming they were in attendance, only a handful of people were actually there – but those that were went on to form bands including The Smiths, Buzzcocks, Joy Division, New Order and The Fall. In a myth-busting masterclass of investigative journalism, Nolan has sorted the hardcore facts from the rock’n’roll fiction and will be appearing at the Library in-person to tell us exactly who really was at the Lesser Free Trade Hall gig, and who has just been blagging…

Elsewhere, Manchester music scene legend and talking head JOHN ROBB, will be talking about his brand new book “Punk Rock Ruined My Life and Other Stories”. As the frontman of both Membranes and Goldblade, and founder of tastemaker site Louder Than War, John is a man who knows punk inside-out. Chatting through his new memoir, he will be delving into his deep friendships with figures like Poly Styrene to Chris Packham, growing up in Blackpool, interviewing icons like Mark E. Smith to Patti Smith, plus opening-up on a host of other riotous stories.

Plus, proving it wasn’t just the Pistols tearing up the rule book, Louder Than War journalist IAIN KEY will be presenting his new “All The Young Punks: A People’s History of The Clash”. From their own punk explosion of 1976 to become an internationally acclaimed arena act, Iain will be discussing their history with lifelong Clash fan PAUL HANLEY (ex-Fall).

And in true punk spirit, one of Manchester’s most fiery new acts DEAD STILETTOS will be performing live to show us that the legacy of what the Sex Pistols started in the Lesser Free Trade Hall is alive and well. DIY to the core, the five-piece have been described as “Stoogified Mancunian Punk” and will deliver a shot of live rock’n’roll mayhem to close proceedings with a bang.

Book tickets here or click on ‘Book Now’ below and ‘pay-what-you can’. All donations go to Manchester Libraries to support future activities.

Stereo Listening Booth - LIVE!
2026-07-25 08:00 - 17:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
A special matinee show from the Manchester electronic act LIVE from the Henry Watson Music Library.

Ellesmere Port resident Patrick Oakford and Manchester’s Travis Eagle write and perform original electronic / dance / trance / club soundscapes under the name Stereo Listening Booth.
Reviewing the debut album ‘Disko Noir’, Louder than War magazine described the experience as ‘somewhere between a less sleazy Soft Cell and more interesting New Order’.
The band’s mission statement is a simple one: ‘nothing ruled out, nothing ruled in’.
Stereo Listening Booth will be performing live at selective venues throughout the year, with an exclusive performance right here in the Henry Watson Music Library at Central Library.
Special guests TBC – watch this space.
Book tickets and make a donation on Eventbrite here or ‘Book Now’ below
All donations go to the Manchester Libraries Trust (registered charity number: 1150161).

Watch / listen to “99 Otago St” here:
