Manchester Collective

Known for their imaginative programming, daring collaborations and engaging performances, the work of Manchester Collective has expanded at breakneck speed since their formation in 2016.

The Collective’s vision is to reshape the future of classical music by creating radical artistic work from their base in the north of England. The shape-shifting ensemble performs a combination of cutting-edge contemporary music, classical masterpieces and staged work nationally and internationally, in spaces ranging from concert halls to warehouses, nightclubs to festivals.

They collaborate with an exciting array of award-winning artists, pushing at the boundaries of how classical music is presented and experienced. Notable previous projects include The Oracle with South African cellist Abel Selaocoe, Rosewood with guitarist Sean Shibe, The Unfurrowed Field with jazz pianist Fergus McCreadie, and a multimedia performance of Michael Gordon’s ‘Weather’ with an installation by sound recordist Chris Watson.

New music is of vital importance to the Collective. Crossing different musical genres, in recent years they have commissioned major works by composers including Edmund Finnis, Hannah Peel, Ben Nobuto, Nabihah Iqbal, Oliver Leith, Moor Mother, Lyra Pramuk, Kelly Moran, Cassie Kinoshi, Laurence Osborn and Isobel Waller-Bridge. 

Manchester Collective have made two appearances at Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms and are currently artists-in-residence at the Southbank Centre in London. In 2023, they won the Royal Philharmonic Society’s prestigious Ensemble award. They have released three studio albums on the Icelandic label Bedroom Community, as well as featuring on recordings by Hania Rani, GoGoPenguin and Abel Selaocoe.