10 unmissable events at the Manchester International Festival

27 June 2017

On Thursday 29 June, Manchester will kick off an 18-day celebration of art and culture from around the world. From a programme which ranges from apocalyptic dinner parties to an opera for babies, we present ten of the most hotly anticipated events, many of which can be watched online.

When: Thu 29 June, 6.30pm
Where: Picadilly Gardens
How to watch: This event will be streamed live here

MIF’s free opening event celebrates the citizens themselves. From an idea by Jeremy Deller, hundreds of specially chosen people from Manchester will walk along a runway through Picadilly Gardens, set to live music from Graham Massey (808 State) and other local musicians - creating a truly public work of art.

When: Thu 29 June, Sat 1, Thu 6, Thu 13 & Sat 15 July
Where: Stage 1, Old Granada Studios
More details:MIF website

New Order return home to present several intimate performances, playing to audiences of only 1,200 per night. The world-famous band will reimagine material from their entire career alongside a 12-strong synthesiser ensemble, set in a dazzling and ever-changing environment created by visual artist Liam Gillick.

Also for New Order and Joy Division fans, the free exhibition True Faith at Manchester Art Gallery, which runs until 3 September, explores the ongoing significance and legacy of the bands through the wealth of visual art their music has inspired.

When: Sat 8 – Sat 15 July
Where: Upper Campfield Market Hall
How to watch: This event will be streamed live here on Thu 13 July.

Created by Jane Horrocks, Nick Vivian and Wrangler, this innovative theatre work combines drama, film and live music to tell the story of the Cotton Famine in 1861, when workers in the North of England found their livelihood bound to the plight of slaves in the American South.

When: Sat 1 - Sat 22 July
Where: Royal Exchange Theatre
More details:MIF website

This delve into masculinity is inspired by conversations between fathers and sons across England, and will use words, music and movement to create a deeply personal work of theatre. Karl Hyde of Underworld is the composer, and the show was written by Simon Stephens (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time).

When: Sat 1 - Sun 9 July
Where: The Lowry
More details:MIF website

It is 70 years since India and Pakistan became separate states, resulting in a mass migration of over 10 million people. Oscar-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy tells the human stories of those refugees, through a gallery installation, a series of short drama and documentary films, and a recreated century-old house.

When: Sat 1, Sat 8, Sat 15 July
Where: Various
How to watch: All events will be streamed live here

MIF isn’t just about art, it’s also about ideas. These six distinct debates will bring audiences and experts together to discuss six weighty topics: Power, Heroes, Community, Technology, Anger and Change. Speakers include graphic designer Peter Saville, avant-garde artist Laurie Anderson, video game designer Nina Freeman and award-winning choreographer Wayne McGregor.

When: Thu 6 July
Where: The Bridgewater Hall
More details:MIF website

Tilda Swinton narrates this film about the ‘future history’ of humanity, with the soundtrack performed live by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. This exciting new multimedia work by composer Jóhann Jóhannsson (Arrival, Sicario, Blade Runner 2049) is based on the 1930 sci-fi novel of the same name - a favourite of H.P. Lovecraft and Arthur C. Clarke.

When: Wed 5 - Sat 8 July
Where: Mayfield
How to listen: All events will be streamed live here

Inspired by the final scene of Dr Strangelove, Israeli artist Yael Bartana creates a world ruled by women in her exciting new commission, in collaboration with Vicky Featherstone (Artistic Director of the Royal Court) and Abi Morgan (The Iron Lady, Shame, Suffragette). Each night 11 women - a combination of professional actors and real experts, different every show - will meet in a War Room, tasked with solving a series of global emergencies before time runs out.

When: Sun 16 July
Where: NCP Bridgewater Hall Car Park
How to watch: This event will be streamed live here

Friedrich Engels, who co-wrote The Communist Manifesto with Karl Marx, lived in Manchester for 20 years documenting the plight of the city’s working classes. Now, Turner Prize nominee Phil Collins will bring Engels back, in the form of a Soviet-era statue he has collected from Russia. A live film event will document the end of the statue’s journey across Europe, to be greeted by a crowd of thousands as it is permanently installed outside the HOME venue in the centre of Manchester.

When: Ongoing
Where: The homes of Manchester
More details:MIF website

“I’ve just come to a concert in someone’s apartment… it was amazing!” claims a guest at one of the many micro-festivals held in homes around the city. Anyone can hold one, and the results can be joyous as they were at this one from Cheetham Hill - a celebration of Asian, Latin American and African-Caribbean culture.