Building on the success of last year, mjf begins with a spectacular FREE opening weekender at the vibrant First Street neighbourhood which will take place from 17-19 May. There will be three event stages: Main Stage, Ask Garden Stage and HOME stage, each celebrating the breadth and individuality of the home-grown scene and beyond: bands emerging through mjf’s artist development programmes, alongside national and international talent, plus family-friendly activities and food & drink.

Artists performing at First Street include: Mangorata, Gaz Hughes Trio, Secret Night Gang, Maja Mannilla Trio, A Hologram Maze, Amy Gadiaga Quintet, Conor Michael & The GreensKeepers, Thanda Gumede & Friends, Atatu Trio, Hoda Jahanpour & Pedraum Agahi, Claire Victoria Roberts, Sonic Threads, Meilana Gillard: RBG Trio, m.oe, AJB3, Floorkin, Archipelego, Amy Thatcher & Francesca Knowles and the Jazz North Northern Line Showcase on Sunday 19 May, featuring: Ceitidh Mac, Bryony Jarman-Pinto, Dirty Freud, Tom Harris and Vipertime.

As well as some of the North’s leading artists gracing the Main Stage on Friday and Saturday (17-18 May), some of Greater Manchester’s 18-25 year-old bands from mjf’s Soundcheck talent development programme, and a selection of mjf Hothouse alumni artists, will perform on the Ask Garden Stage. On Sunday (19 May), mjf partners with Jazz North to present the Northern Line touring support scheme showcase: profiling five acts selected by industry leaders.

Visit www.manchesterjazz.com for further information and ticket sales.