The Vale unveils early 2026 live music line-up

From electrifying Congolese dance music to contemporary English and Irish folk, with soulful blues closer to home, The Vale has revealed its early 2026 live music programme, promising another vibrant season at the Mossley arts centre.

It has become something of an annual tradition for The Vale to kick off the year with a standout hometown performance, and 2026 is no exception. Mossley’s own soulful superstar Kyla Brox returns to her neighbourhood venue on Saturday 31 January after appearing at London’s January Blues Festival.

Lauded as “Manchester’s answer to Aretha Franklin” and an “authentic soul diva”, Brox will take to the stage with her band, performing a mix of original material and carefully chosen covers. Known for her powerful voice and deeply felt performances, the show is set to be a fitting and feel-good launch to the year’s programme.

February brings a very different but equally compelling sound to The Vale, as the Sidiki Dembélé Ensemble arrives on Saturday 21 February. The collective is made up of virtuoso West African musicians, each classically trained and deeply rooted in the musical traditions of their homelands.

Led by master percussionist, kora player, composer and arranger Sidiki Dembélé, originally from Côte d’Ivoire and now based in Manchester, the ensemble has a fluid line-up that evolves from performance to performance. In August 2025, the group appeared at the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival, delivering a powerful set that showcased their unique blend of traditions. Their Mossley appearance offers audiences the chance to experience that rich sound in an intimate setting.

High-energy rhythms take centre stage in March when Kasai Masai bring their infectious brand of soukous to The Vale on Saturday 21 March. Soukous, a form of Congolese dance music derived from rumba, is characterised by fast-paced rhythms, dazzling guitar lines and irresistible grooves.

Rooted in the musical traditions of the Congo, the five-piece band has earned a reputation as one of the most exciting live acts on the contemporary soukous scene. Their performances are known for getting audiences moving, and this springtime show promises plenty of toe-tapping and hip-shaking.

Rounding off the early 2026 programme is a collaboration that bridges tradition and innovation. Lisa Knapp and Gerry Diver visit The Vale on Saturday 18 April, bringing their richly textured take on English and Irish folk music.

The duo weave together twin fiddles, voice, percussion, autoharp, electronica and field recordings to create bold, atmospheric arrangements that honour folk traditions while pushing them in new directions. Knapp, a BBC Folk Award winner and key figure in modern folk, has been praised by The Guardian and MOJO for her “fearlessly original” artistry. Together with Diver, the partnership promises to enchant both folk purists and newcomers alike.

Tickets for all performances range from £12 to £15.50, with a limited number of donate what you can tickets available for each event.

The Vale is located at Unit 2, Vale Mill, Micklehurst Road, Mossley, Tameside OL5 9JL. Tickets are available from the-vale.co.uk or by calling 01457 238 089.