Global music platform NTS has teamed up with Johnnie Walker to announce Keep Walking Live: Manchester, a massive three-day city-wide takeover taking place from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th March 2026. The event will activate some of the city’s most revered spaces, including SOUP, New Century, Eastern Bloc, and Impiety Hour, with tickets for all events priced at just £5.
The newly announced programme spotlights a curated mix of homegrown Manchester talent alongside internationally acclaimed names. Major headliners confirmed for the weekend include UK garage icon DJ EZ, Afro-fusion collective KOKOROKO, and Mercury Prize-nominated jazz saxophonist Nubya Garcia.
In a significant boost for the local creative economy, Johnnie Walker and NTS have confirmed that 100% of the net proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Manchester music charity Brighter Sound Ltd. The charity works to support emerging talent and music professionals through programmes that tackle inequality and strengthen grassroots music, ranging from community projects to international exchanges.
The weekend kicks off on Friday 13th March at the iconic Northern Quarter venue, SOUP. The opening night celebrates the depth of UK underground dance culture with a specific focus on UKG and bass-driven club music. DJ EZ, whose influence has shaped generations of dancefloors, will headline alongside Manchester’s own Anz, a longstanding NTS Resident. Support on the night comes from NTS stalwart Finn, as well as emerging local talents KD22LR and Tyronwithnoe.
Saturday offers a multi-venue experience, beginning with free, bookable DJ workshops at the NTS Manchester Studio led by residents Finn and Abena. The action then moves to Eastern Bloc for an afternoon intergenerational DJ showcase featuring Annabel Fraser, Kim Lana, and Rick.
On Saturday evening, the energy shifts to the historic New Century for a celebration of Afro-fusion and neo-jazz. The night will be headlined by the MOBO-nominated collective KOKOROKO, famed for their joyous horn-led live shows. They are joined by Venna, performing with a live band, and support from Manchester-based DJs Kusasa, Charisse C, and Captain Lulaz. This event takes place in the venue’s vintage dancehall, celebrated for its “famously bouncing” sprung floor.
The takeover concludes on Sunday 15th March at Impiety Hour, an experimental space from the team behind The White Hotel. Billed as the ‘Sunday Slow Down’, the day features community-oriented listening sessions and panels. The finale will see a special, stripped-back performance from Nubya Garcia, supported by the atmospheric Manchester contingent of Space Afrika and genre-fluid artist Oriki.
Tickets for all events are on sale now and are priced at £5. Fans can purchase tickets and view full event details at www.nts.live/events/keep-walking-manchester.
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