One of the final bricks in Manchester International Festival’s cultural wall comes in the form of Unknown Pleasures, a series of concerts showcasing ‘the best in new bands and artists’.

The biggest event in the series is Unknown Pleasures at the Quays, a day-long gig in the natural 5,000-capacity ampitheatre outside the Lowry.

Confirmed for this event so far are the Gossip, the Horrors and local New Order-inspired band the Whip. Support from Salford City Council means you can get free tickets by visiting the MIF website or by calling QuayTickets, the Lowry’s own ticket outlet, on 0870 428 0785.

Making up the rest of the Unknown Pleasures series are some more conventional gigs at Manchester Academy over eight nights in July.

The impressive list of acts confirm include Nina Nastasia, Findlay Brown, the Noisettes, Wombats, Bat for Lashes and - personal favourites - Final Fantasy. Tickets for these dates are reasonably priced: �8.50 or �9.50, plus a stupid Ticketmaster booking fee.

MIF are also appealing for talented local acts to apply to join the lineups. There should be an application form on their website at some point today.