Manchester International Festival 2015

Image: Manchester International Festival 

Taking place every couple of years, Manchester International Festival blankets the city with a legion of cultural spectacles. Championing the arts and popular culture, it's the first festival of it's kind to commission new works and showcase them across the festival, which takes place from the 2nd - 19th July.

In previous years, the festival has seen performances from Damon Albarn and The XX, who performed under Victoria Street station. Pieces from Chen Shi Zheng, Matthew Barney and Tacita Dean have been revealed for this year, with promise of exposure in cities such as New York and Madrid when the festival tours after.

This year's event sees the multi talented Bjork return to the Manchester stage, see her previous performance above. Electronic sensation FKA Twigs purveys her masterful craft washed with R&B (below), whilst there's other musically focused performances from Arto Part and soul stirring selector Yellow.  

Once again Damon Albarn plays his part, providing the music to wonder.land, a modern take on Alice in Wonderland.  Elsewhere Turner prize winning artist Douglas Gordon links up with pianist Helen Grimaud for Neck Of The Woods, a ground breaking showcase of visual art, music and theatre.     

Dotted across the programme there's chance to take in The Tale of Mr Tumble and cult geek Adam Buxton. Contemporary ballet Tree Of Codes, driven by Jamie XX, Olafur Eliasson and Wayne Mcgregor also gets in full swing, with plenty more to pick your shots at from the full billing of events.