MIF Daily – Sunday 16 July – Factory International

It’s the final day of MIF23 and what a festival it’s been! Dancers weaving through the crowd to Ben UFO. A virtual Ryuichi Sakamoto playing piano. Kids on the catwalk at the Kusama fashion show. Sharing our brand-new building Aviva Studios.

MIF23 may be over, but Factory International is not going anywhere. Endless Summer is our free programme of music and events happening throughout July and August.

After that, it’s Free Your Mind time – a world-first dance adaptation of The Matrix. Meet the world-class creative team here.

Here’s a last set of recommendations before we sleep for a week. Enjoyed MIF Daily? We’re here all year round at Factory+

WATCH

Festival Square’s new riverside location already feels like home. Pumping tunes and a buzzing atmosphere despite the weather – and it wouldn’t be Manchester without a little rain, right?

Today, we're watching the final Sounds from the Square ft music from Rain McMey, The Lounge Society, Nxdia and more.

The Square is staying open throughout July and August, so come down with your mates, grab a beer and enjoy the Endless Summer.

There’s still time for the sun to come out.

LISTEN

What a music programme we’ve had! From big hitters like John Grant and Alison Goldfrapp to the next generation of talent on Festival Square.

Heard an artist you liked but can’t remember their name? We know it can get fuzzy on the Square after a few margaritas, so here's a playlist featuring the best local and international acts.

MIF is all about discovery, so have a listen and discover a new favourite.

DO

Festival Square closes at 6pm today, so get down early to enjoy a morning of music and conversation as part of We Gather.

There’s still time to catch most of our shows, but we’ll be pretending it’s not Sunday over at New Century Hall, where it's the last night of R.O.S.E.

And of course, Yayoi Kusama: You, Me and the Balloons isn’t going anywhere. You can see the exhibition until the end of August – then drop by our Kusama inspired family workshops and play activities.

Loved the exhibition? There is also a curator talk happening on 22 July.

Photo by Johan Persson.

Photo of six dancers entwined with a circle of people around them watching

READ

As we transition to a year-round programme of events, it feels right to end MIF Daily by looking forward.

Tino Sehgal: This Entry closes at the Whitworth today, but it's just the start of a two-year project that brings artists and footballers into collaboration, The Trequartista – Art and Football United.

We’re reading Orit Gat's brilliant analysis of This Entry, art and football in ArtReview. Is it too early to get excited for MIF25?

Orit Gat | When Football Becomes Art