Festive Voices: NIA Choir

NIA Choir are performing at The Social, Aviva Studios on Saturday 12 December, as part of the Festive Voices programme. It's a free soul and R&B choir performance, and they're back for a second date on Saturday 2 January 2027, so you've got two chances to catch them over the winter break.

If you haven't come across them before, NIA Choir is a community soul and R&B choir for women, trans and non-binary people living in Hulme, Moss Side and the surrounding areas of Manchester. It was established by the Untold Orchestra in 2022 and is facilitated by Nicole Battick. Since then, they've already played some of the biggest stages in the country, including the Royal Albert Hall, AO Arena and Victoria Warehouse, so this is a local choir that's played well beyond the city.

They describe themselves as more than just singing together: a continually expanding family focused on supporting people through community and creativity. That side of things comes through in the music, too — soul and R&B are built on harmony and voice, and that's exactly what you'll hear here. The Festive Voices programme brings local choirs, bands and workshops to Aviva Studios throughout the season, and NIA Choir is one of the acts taking a turn.

Both performances run from 1.15pm to 2.15pm, so it's an early afternoon thing rather than an evening gig. It's free, but you do need to pre-book, and if you need an access ticket, you'll need to get that directly from Factory International. The set lasts about an hour and is suitable for all ages, with under-14s needing an adult 18+ with them. The Social is in St John's, Manchester, M3 4JQ.