THE inaugural Manchester International Festival  is underway and it is shaping up to be quite an event.

From the showcase performance of Damon Albarn's Monkey: Journey to the West (pictured) at the Palace Theatre to rare live shows from Smokey Robinson, PJ Harvey and The Happy Mondays - there should be something to capture every imagination.

Click on the links to the right for the latest news and line-up details for the June 28 - July 15 event.

*Plus you can read reviews from all the major shows here the morning after too.