Outwards announces Orbital, Moodymann b2b Carl Craig, The Orb, Octave One, Paranoid London and more for inaugural Manchester festival
A fresh cultural gathering called Outwards has been announced for Saturday 2 May 2026, bringing together pioneers, underground innovators and next-gen DJs across five outdoor spaces in Ardwick, Manchester.
Rather than a traditional headline-chasing festival, Outwards is framed as a city-centre cultural moment - a day-into-night experience designed to reconnect dance music with its roots while looking forward.
The first wave of the line-up spans generations: UK electronic legends Orbital will play live, alongside ambient pioneers The Orb, Detroit techno stalwarts Octave One (Live) and acid provocateurs Paranoid London (Live). Manchester acts A Certain Ratio and Black Grape also feature, tying the city’s post-punk and rave history into the bill.
On the DJ front, there’s a standout Detroit moment with Moodymann b2b Carl Craig, plus sets from acid house originator DJ Pierre, UK selectors Midland, Pearson Sound, OK Williams, Josey Rebelle, Suze Ijó and drum & bass legend LTJ Bukem.
Outwards isn’t just clubbing, organisers say the event will also include talks, workshops, exhibitions, record fairs and a hi-fi listening bar, turning car parks and streets into a DIY-spirit festival campus. A series of citywide after-parties will keep the celebration going late into the night.
Festival director Olli Ryder said: “Electronic music has always been about more than nightlife — it’s about the music, the communities, the places and the people who carry culture forward.”
Tickets are on sale now. More stage details and after-hours programming will be revealed soon.
