Key Points
- Electronic music pioneers Faithless are scheduled to perform a huge open-air live show at Barton Aerodrome in Manchester on Friday, 3 July 2026, as part of the newly launched Barton Live summer concert series.
- The event will feature a full live set with bespoke staging, immersive sound and lighting, drawing from Faithless’s three-decade catalogue including anthems like Insomnia, God Is A DJ, and Salva Mea.
- Barton Live is a four-day open-air concert series from Thursday 2 July to Sunday 5 July, 2026, at Barton Aerodrome, Eccles, Manchester, with a capacity of 5,000 per event.
- The series opens on Thursday 2 July with David Gray’s Past & Present Tour, already nearing sell-out.
- Saturday 4 July features Craig David presenting TS5, a club-focused set blending garage, R&B, and classic anthems.
- Sunday 5 July concludes with Electric Heart Manchester Indie Festival, headlined by The Fratellis, alongside Scouting For Girls, The Feeling, The Hoosiers, Toploader, and Dodgy.
- All events are 14+, with under-18s requiring a responsible adult; gates open at varying times (e.g., 17:00 for Faithless), last entry around 20:00, and events end by 23:00.
- Barton Aerodrome, on Liverpool Road, Eccles, offers a flat grassed site with on-site parking, public transport links, and early finishes suitable for families.
- Promoter JBM Music positions Barton Live as a curated summer run of major outdoor shows, establishing the historic aerodrome as a new North West live music destination.
- Tickets are available via bartonlive.co.uk, with prices varying by event; David Gray’s show is already approaching sell-out.
Barton (Oxford Daily), February 3, 2026 – Electronic legends Faithless have announced a massive open-air show at Barton Aerodrome on Friday, 3 July, forming a key part of the newly launched Barton Live summer concert series, which promises four days of major live music at the historic Northwest venue.
What Is Barton Live Concert Series?
Barton Live represents a brand-new four-day open-air live music series at Barton Aerodrome in Manchester, running from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 July 2026. Unlike isolated one-off events, it is designed as a curated run of major outdoor shows, blending standalone headline concerts with festival programming to position the aerodrome as a premier destination for large-scale live music in the North West.
As reported by Rave Quarters in their coverage of the launch, the series comprises three headline concerts and a one-day festival, each with a 5,000 capacity. Promoter JBM Music stated, “Barton Live is about creating a proper summer run of live music at Barton Aerodrome, not just a one-off show. Bringing David Gray, Faithless, Craig David and Electric Heart together across four consecutive days gives audiences a genuine choice of world-class outdoor performances, all in one place.”
Mixmag detailed that the venue, located on Liverpool Road in Eccles, features a flat grassed arena with bespoke staging, immersive sound and lighting, on-site parking, and handy public transport links, making it ideal for families and older children with early evening finishes.
When and Where Is the Faithless Show Happening?
Faithless will deliver their full live performance on Friday 3 July 2026 at Barton Aerodrome, Manchester. Doors open at 17:00, last entry at 20:00, and the event ends at 23:00, with all attendees required to be 14+ and under-18s accompanied by a legal guardian.
As announced via Manchester Wire, the show transforms the aerodrome with bespoke staging and immersive production against one of the region’s most unique gig backdrops. Skiddle’s event listing confirms Faithless bring their live show featuring iconic anthems like Insomnia and God Is A DJ, promising euphoric energy under the open skies from 18:00 to 23:00.
Rave Quarters noted the legendary electronic act’s set will feature an iconic blend of electronic, dance, and live instrumentation, drawing from seminal hits spanning three decades.
Who Else Is Performing at Barton Live?
The series kicks off on Thursday 2 July with British singer-songwriter David Gray on his Past & Present Tour, the voice behind the hit Babylon, already nearing sell-out status. Fresh Music Freaks reported it as a career-spanning set opening the weekend.
Saturday 4 July sees Craig David present TS5, delivering a party-ready mix of garage, R&B, and club anthems. Salford Now highlighted Craig David’s return to the aerodrome after his 2023 appearance, promising classics alongside modern cuts and exclusive edits, with gates at 16:00, last entry 18:00, ending 22:30.
Closing on Sunday 5 July is Electric Heart Manchester Indie Festival from 14:00 to 22:30, featuring The Fratellis, Scouting For Girls, The Feeling, The Hoosiers, Toploader, and Dodgy for a day of singalong nostalgia. UK Festival Guides described it as a carefully curated indie celebration with fan-favourites.
Why Choose Barton Aerodrome for These Concerts?
Barton Aerodrome’s historic site offers a proven track record for multi-day events, with its large grassed arena providing an authentic open-air experience. Access All Areas noted its infrastructure supports big production while maintaining accessibility.
Rave Quarters emphasised the venue’s suitability: “The flat, grassed site will feature bespoke staging and immersive sound and lighting for authentic and unforgettable live music experiences, but with great on-site parking, handy public transport links and early evening finishes that make each one perfect for a wide audience including families and older children.”
Mixmag added that all events retain a family-friendly vibe with 14+ age restrictions and responsible adult requirements for minors.
What Songs Can Fans Expect from Faithless?
Faithless’s set will draw from a catalogue that has defined dance music culture for three decades. Manchester Wire specifically highlighted era-spanning anthems such as Insomnia, God Is A DJ, and Salva Mea.
Rave Quarters confirmed “many of their seminal hits from ‘Insomnia’ to ‘God Is A DJ’.” Skiddle promised “massive singalong moments” with a full-scale live production of these tracks. The performance blends electronic production with live instrumentation for festival-level energy.
How to Get Tickets for Faithless and Barton Live?
Tickets for all Barton Live events, including Faithless, are available at bartonlive.co.uk, with prices varying by show. David Gray’s concert on 2 July is already on sale and approaching sell-out, as per multiple reports.
Skiddle lists Faithless tickets via their platform, urging fans not to miss the landmark night. Salford Now mentioned general sale for Craig David’s show at 9am on 30 January 2026, indicating similar timing for others. Early purchase is advised given the series’ popularity.
What Makes Faithless’s Return Significant?
Faithless, electronic music pioneers, mark a high point in Barton Live with their rare large-scale outdoor show. Their inclusion elevates the series, appealing to dance music fans with timeless anthems.
As part of JBM Music’s vision, the event underscores Barton Aerodrome’s evolution into a live music hub. Fans on platforms like Reddit, reacting to similar announcements, expressed excitement: “This is amazing, should be good for the aerodrome and putting the venue on the map. Craig David is such a good artist, and the massive name will surely gain a great reaction from fans not just in Manchester.”
This comprehensive lineup promises variety, from indie rock to electronic and R&B, solidifying summer 2026 as a landmark for Manchester’s outdoor music scene.
