From electrifying Congolese dance music to contemporary English and Irish folk, with a healthy dose of homegrown soulful blues, The Vale has unveiled its early 2026 live music programme and it’s shaping up to be another standout year for the Mossley arts centre.
Now something of an annual tradition, the season launch once again belongs to Mossley’s own soulful superstar Kyla Brox. Lauded as “Manchester’s answer to Aretha Franklin” and “an authentic soul diva”, Brox returns to her neighbourhood venue on Saturday 31 January 2026, fresh from an appearance at London’s January Blues Festival. Performing a mix of original material and well-loved covers with her band, audiences can expect a rich, wide-ranging set full of heart, grit and soul.
February sees The Vale welcome a collective of virtuoso West African musicians, the Sidiki Dembélé Ensemble, for an intimate performance on Saturday 21 February 2026. With a fluid line-up that shifts and evolves, the ensemble is led by master percussionist, kora player, composer and arranger Sidiki Dembélé, originally from Côte d’Ivoire and now based in Manchester. Each musician is classically trained and deeply rooted in the musical traditions of their homeland. The group appeared at the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival in August 2025, delivering a powerful performance that showcased their distinctive blend of musical cultures.
High-energy rhythms arrive in March with Kasai Masai, a powerhouse in the world of soukous, a vibrant Congolese dance music style derived from rumba. Appearing on Saturday 21 March 2026, the five-piece band bring infectious guitar lines, pulsating rhythms and electrifying stage presence. Rooted in the rich musical traditions of the Congo, their unmistakable grooves and cultural pride promise a night of irresistible dancing and celebration.
Rounding off the programme in April is a spellbinding collaboration between Lisa Knapp and Gerry Diver, who bring their innovative take on English and Irish folk to The Vale on Saturday 18 April 2026. Blending twin fiddles, voice, percussion, autoharp, electronica and field recordings, the duo creates richly textured and emotionally resonant music. Knapp, a BBC Folk Award winner, is a key figure in modern folk and has been praised by The Guardian and MOJO for her “fearlessly original” artistry. Together, the pair promise to captivate traditional folk lovers and curious newcomers alike.
Tickets for all shows are priced between £12 and £15.50, with a limited number of donate-what-you-can tickets available for every performance.
The Vale is located at Unit 2, Vale Mill, Micklehurst Road, Mossley, Tameside OL5 9JL.
Tickets are available from www.the-vale.co.uk or by calling 01457 238 089.
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