Janelle Monáe

After dazzling at our 2019 Festival, it’s only right that Janelle Monáe should be the first musician to perform at MIF23.

One of the most celebrated acts of our generation, Janelle fuses a blend of genres – soul, funk, hip hop and new wave – with big concepts and slick pop productions.

A true renaissance woman, she’s Grammy-nominated for her visionary sound as a singer-songwriter and producer and has starred on the big screen in films like Moonlight, Hidden Figures and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

Janelle’s latest single Float, featuring Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, is already a contender for song of the summer. Her critically acclaimed back catalogue gives her plenty to cherry pick from across a three-night residency: from 2010’s genre-bending debut album The Archandroid and 2013’s The Electric Lady, which featured collaborations with Prince, Solange and Erykah Badu, right through to 2018's Dirty Computer – home to certified-Gold earworms like Make Me Feel and I Like That.

Known for her jaw-dropping performances, Janelle brings her euphoric live show to MIF23 for three unmissable nights. And spending three days in the city means she’ll be able to interact with Manchester artists and audiences in new ways. Excited? You bet. We’ll see you down the front.

Image: Jheyda McGarrell