Guardian Music — This week's programme is themed around the Manchester international festival, which is now under way.Damon Albarn discusses his new opera about Dr Dee, the Elizabethan astrologer, courtier, alchemist and spy, which receives its world premiere at the ... more info

NME — Blur and Gorillaz man due to perform at Manchester International Festival until Sunday (July 10) more info

Guardian Music — The Manchester International Festival has attracted Victoria Wood, Snoop Dogg and Damon Albarn – and deterred localsManchester's biennial international festival, now in its third run, was launched last Thursday. In the weekend's blissful sunshine, ... more info

Guardian Music — Chetham's School and Library, ManchesterMuch attention for this year's Manchester International festival has been focused on the interactive Dr Who adventure, the Crash of the Elysium. Yet there is an equally thrilling experiment in time travel provi... more info

Guardian Music — Dave Simpson gives a fascinating account of Damon Albarn's opera Dr Dee (G2, 5 July), but he is wrong to describe John Dee as a figure "barely known outside academic circles before this unusual platform". Since the 1970s Dee has been frequently repre... more info

Guardian Music — From Björk to Damon Albarn via Factory Records and Sarajevo, the Manchester international festival kicked off with an arts bonanza. Here's what you thought ...The Guardian's team spent a long weekend at the cliche-defyingly sunny Manchester internat... more info

Guardian Music — What's hot and what's not at this year's Manchester international festival?Going upLive ravensThe real star of Damon Albarn's folk opera. Quoth the Raven, give us more.The musical Tesla coilLooks so cool you don't even care that it sounds like a robo... more info

Guardian Music — Dr Dee is quite a puzzle. But some audience members have a crack at decoding itAmong the highlights of Damon Albarn's spectacular opera Dr Dee are an enormous live raven, a stilt-walking spymaster and a couple having sex under a hovering Queen Eliza... more info

Guardian Music — Today we unveil a special sound sculpture bringing the Guardian vividly to life. Plus, it's five stars for PunchdrunkIt's my last day at the Manchester international festival before returning to London, but we'll continue to bring you coverage from A... more info

Guardian Music — The former Blur frontman is in Oasis's hometown to perform Dr Dee, his opera about a 16th-century alchemist. Watch out for the live ravenAt the end of Damon Albarn's Dr Dee – an "English opera" about the Elizabethan mathematician and alchemist Joh... more info