PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED FOR 2023 MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
By Steve Cooke
We are lucky to have one of the world’s leading arts festivals on our doorstep. I was one of a large group of artists and media people gathered in the New Century Hall, Manchester to hear Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Factory International & Manchester International Festival John McGrath reveal the programme for MIF23.
What an eclectic, innovative and inspirational programme he revealed! Featuring new work from artists including Ryan Gander, Maxine Peake, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Tino Sehgal and Juan Mata, and music from Janelle Monáe, John Grant, Angélique Kidjo - from a ritual on the banks of a newly uncovered river, to mixed reality from one of Japan’s greatest composers, from a hunt for artworks across the city to a residency from one of American music’s most vibrant superstars. A genuine melting pot of creativity where artists share their ideas with each other and the public, the Festival will once again promise to take the temperature of our times and imagine possibilities for the future.
As always MIF is rooted in its home - in the spaces and places of Greater Manchester. So, at the same time as taking up residency in Factory International, the flagship new venue with a centrepiece exhibition of Yayoi Kusama’s incredible inflatable sculptures, the Festival will extend its reach throughout the city: finding unexpected locations to show its work in and working with local artists and residents to perform and take part. MIF23 will be a true celebration of the city and its cultural offerings.
Manchester International Festival is recognised as one of the world’s leading arts festivals, and the first to be entirely focused on the commissioning and producing of ambitious new work.
Staged every two years in Manchester since 2007, MIF has commissioned, produced and presented world premieres by artists including Damon Albarn, Laurie Anderson, Björk, , Idris Elba and Kwame Kwei-Armah, Elbow, Tracey Emin, David Lynch, , Steve McQueen, , Cillian Murphy, Yoko Ono, Thomas and Maxine Peake.
Working with partners across the globe, once again much of the work made in Manchester for MIF23 will go on to travel internationally, building on an audience to date of over 1.6 million people in more than 30 countries who have experienced MIF’s work overseas.
Unlike a lot of festivals and events MIF23 will have £10 tickets for all shows and many free events to enable as many people as possible to participate!
TICKETS ON SALE THUR 30 MARCH
In this column we shall be featuring many of the artists and keeping you updated on the availability of tickets.