AN eclectic mix of international sounds and homegrown talent is set to fill a Mossley arts centre in the new year.
Everything from Congolese dance music and West African percussion to contemporary folk and soulful blues will be heading to the town in early 2026.
The programme at The Vale, which runs from January through April, continues a now well-established tradition of opening the year with a performance from Mossley’s own Kyla Brox.
The acclaimed singer returns to her neighbourhood venue on Saturday, January 31, fresh from an appearance at London’s January Blues Festival.
Often described as ‘Manchester’s answer to Aretha Franklin’ and ‘an authentic soul diva’, Brox will perform a mix of original material and carefully chosen covers alongside her band, promising a broad palette of soul, blues and gospel-inflected sounds.
February sees The Vale host the Sidiki Dembele Ensemble, a collective of virtuoso West African musicians led by master percussionist, kora player, composer and arranger Sidiki Dembele.
Originally from the Ivory Coast and now based in Manchester, Dembele is well known locally as both a performer and teacher.
The ensemble’s line-up shifts and evolves, but each musician is classically trained and deeply rooted in the traditions of their homeland. Following a standout appearance at the Edinburgh International Festival in August 2025, they bring an intimate performance to Mossley on Saturday, February 21.
Congolese soukous takes centre stage in March with Kasai Masai, a five-piece band known for its high-energy live shows and infectious grooves. Drawing on rumba but pushing the tempo faster, soukous is built on shimmering guitar lines and relentless rhythms designed to get audiences moving.
Kasai Masai arrive at The Vale on Saturday, March 21, with a reputation as one of the genre’s most exciting contemporary acts.
April’s offering shifts into folk territory, as Lisa Knapp and Gerry Diver bring their collaborative project to Mossley on Saturday, April 18.
The duo blend English and Irish folk traditions with modern experimentation, layering twin fiddles, voice, percussion, autoharp, electronica and field recordings into atmospheric arrangements.
Knapp, a BBC Folk Award winner, has been widely praised for work that bridges ancient traditions and contemporary sounds, earning accolades from publications including The Guardian and MOJO for her “fearlessly original” approach.
Tickets for all performances are priced between £12 and £15.50, with a limited number of donate-what-you-can tickets available for each show.
The Vale is located at Unit 2, Vale Mill, Micklehurst Road (postcode OL5 9JL). Tickets can be booked online here or by calling 01457 238 089.