A brand-new outdoor music experience is landing in the North West this summer as Barton Live debuts a four-day run of open-air shows at Barton Aerodrome in Manchester from July 2–5, 2026. Designed as a cohesive summer concert series rather than a one-off event, the 5,000-capacity gatherings bring together major headline performances and a full-scale indie festival, positioning the historic aerodrome as a fresh hub for live music in the region.
Kicking off the series on Thursday, July 2, is globally celebrated British singer-songwriter David Gray with his Past & Present Tour. The voice behind the iconic hit “Babylon” will open the weekend with a career-spanning set that is already close to selling out.
Friday, July 3, turns the tempo up as legendary electronic act Faithless takes the stage for a full live show. Famed for blending electronic production with live instrumentation, the group will deliver a set packed with era-defining tracks including “Insomnia” and “God Is A DJ,” bringing festival-level energy to the open-air setting.
On Saturday, July 4, Craig David presents TS5, his signature party experience that fuses old-school garage, R&B, and timeless club anthems. Known for transforming any space into a feel-good dancefloor, Craig David’s TS5 set promises a high-energy celebration as the sun sets over the aerodrome.
Closing out the weekend on Sunday, July 5, is Electric Heart, a one-day indie festival stacked with beloved British acts. The lineup features The Fratellis, Scouting For Girls, The Feeling, The Hoosiers, Toploader, and Dodgy, delivering a full day of singalong anthems and feel-good nostalgia. While part of the Barton Live programme, Electric Heart maintains its identity as a standalone festival brand within the series.
Promoters JBM Music say the goal is to create something bigger than a single headline show. “Barton Live is about establishing a proper summer run of live music at Barton Aerodrome. Bringing David Gray, Faithless, Craig David, and Electric Heart together across four consecutive days gives audiences a real choice of world-class outdoor performances, all in one place.”
Located on Liverpool Road in Eccles, Barton Aerodrome offers a large, flat grass site well suited to open-air events. Organisers promise bespoke staging alongside immersive sound and lighting, while practical features like on-site parking, accessible public transport links, and earlier evening finish times make the shows appealing for a broad audience, including families with older children.
Rather than hosting isolated concerts, Barton Live is structured as a focused, multi-day music experience that blends variety with consistency. Across four nights, fans can choose between three major standalone headline concerts and a full festival day, all within the same accessible outdoor venue.
Event Schedule
Thursday, July 2
David Gray – Past & Present Tour (14+)
Gates: 18:00 | Last Entry: 20:00 | Ends: 23:00
Friday, July 3
Faithless – Live (14+)
Gates: 17:00 | Last Entry: 20:00 | Ends: 23:00
Saturday, July 4
Craig David – Presents TS5 (14+)
Gates: 16:00 | Last Entry: 18:00 | Ends: 22:30
Sunday, July 5
Electric Heart – Manchester Indie Festival (14+)
Featuring The Fratellis, Scouting For Girls, The Feeling, The Hoosiers, Toploader, and Dodgy
Gates: 14:00 | Last Entry: 17:00 | Ends: 22:30
Ticket prices vary by event, with full details available via Barton Live’s official channels.