Festive Live: The Untold Orchestra

The Untold Orchestra play The Social at Aviva Studios on Sunday 3 January, from 5.45 to 6.45pm. It's a free show, part of the Festive Live programme running across the studios over the holiday period.

If you've come across them before, you'll know they aren't your usual orchestra. They're a Manchester group, set up as a charity back in 2019, and they work with artists, creatives and communities across the city to put on performances and projects they describe as being there to uplift, celebrate and get people on the dance floor. They talk about reimagining what orchestras are and who they're for, and that's a good way to sum up how they operate: less about the concert hall and more about the city around them.

This particular show is part of their festive programme, which brings together local choirs, bands and workshops at Aviva Studios. It's suitable for all ages, though they recommend under-14s attend with an adult aged 18 or over.

It's free, but you do need to book in advance. All access tickets — including wheelchair user spaces, the accessible viewing platform and essential companion tickets — have to be booked directly through Factory International. The set runs for about an hour, from 5.45 to 6.45pm, at The Social in Aviva Studios on Water Street, M3 4JQ.