The Black Keys and Sounds of the City

Akron's Black Keys, comprising Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, evolved from blues-rock roots into a versatile act. Known for hits "Tighten Up" and "Lonely Boy," they achieved Grammy wins, hit platinum with Brothers, and expanded their sound with producer Danger Mouse. Collaborations include ZZ Top's Billy F. Gibbons and Kings of Leon's Angelo Petraglia. After a hiatus, they returned with Let's Rock in 2019 and the acclaimed Delta Kream in 2021, showcasing Mississippi blues. Frequent collaborators, they've worked with Alice Cooper, releasing "Stay in Your Grave."

Sounds of the City is an annual series of high-profile outdoor concerts held at Castlefield Bowl in Manchester. The series has been running for over 15 years, organized by Manchester-based promoters SJM Concerts. Castlefield Bowl is part of an urban heritage site—the world's first industrial heritage park. To accommodate larger crowds, designers once famously built a 22-meter "floating" stage over a spur of the Bridgewater Canal to maximize space and sightlines.