We're getting in the mood to hear pianist, film score composer and audio-visual maverick Chassol in Manchester tonight. Here's some more information about him, whether you're heading to the gig or not...

• He worked on Frank Ocean's new album Boy's Don't Cry, and has toured with French group Phoenix.
• His father was an amateur clarinettist and saxophonist, and both Chassol and his sister started learning the piano aged 4. Chassol has perfect pitch.
• In 2005, his parents were among the 160 people killed when West Caribbean Airways Flight 708 fell from the sky at 31,900ft.
• His music works with an 'ultrascore' where a film footage serves as the musical score, and he developed this technique by harmonising against his own films.

Check out some of Chassol's music below:

6Music DJ Mary Anne Hobbs has curated a series of six gigs as part of Dark Matter, featuring the hottest musical talent around.

We've had Holly Herndon, Levelz and Paleman already, and we've got Haxan Cloak, Clark, Kojey Radical, SUNN O))) and Colin Stetson to come. Wrap your eyes around the Clark trailer, and get ready for a banging gig on Saturday night..., external

Well, according to artist Yael Bartana and director Vicky Featherstone, it might look a little something like this...

Image source, MIF

Image source, MIF

Choreographer Lucinda Childs, external shared five pieces of dance that inspire her. The second is famous ballet Les Sylphides (1909) by Mikhail Fokine. Childs explains that this abstract, one-act ballet which was perhaps inspired by Isadora Duncan's visit to Russia.

What does home mean to you? If you could bring one object with you as you move to a new country, what would it be? ToGather explores notions of migration, movement and sensations of togetherness. , external

It's by artist Susan Hefuna, with choreography by Studio Wayne McGregor artists in collaboration with the participants, a score by Robin Rimbaud – Scanner and a Digital Experience made by International Magic.

Tune into BBC 6 Music to hear Radcliffe and Maconie live from Festival Square until 4pm.

Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie's show on 6Music is being broadcast live from our very own Festival Square from 1pm to 4pm every day. Today, their guests include comedian Mark Watson, who performs at MIF tonight and tomorrow, external, and legendary American performance artist Laurie Anderson, who will be part of Interdependence on Saturday, external – which we will be live-streaming right here!

Image source, MIF

"Industrial musical" Cotton Panic is being created by Jane Horrocks, Nick Vivian and Wrangler, featuring Stephen Mallinder of Cabaret Voltaire. Nick has been sharing photos taken by the Director of Visuals, Chris Turner, with us as they prepare to open the show on Saturday, external...

Image source, Chris Turner

Image source, Chris Turner

Image source, Chris Turner

Every night, lucky audience members are learning the party skills they'll need at the end of the world, external, from mixing the perfect martini to skinning a rabbit. Audiences have been loving it – check out some reactions below.

Know your Liams from your Noels? Your Citys from your Uniteds? Your Manfords from your Carrs? Prove it.

So, as you’ve probably guessed, The Haxan Cloak is not his given name. Musician and producer Bobby Krlic was born in Wakefield Westgate in Yorkshire in 1985, and his mum was a Northern Soul DJ. He released his first album, The Haxan Cloak, in 2011. It was recorded in his parents’ garden shed and took him three years as he played every instrument himself.

The Haxan Cloak also co-produced Björk’s Vulnicura and soundtracked atmospheric TV show True Detective. Tonight, he plays Gorilla as part of Mary Anne Hobbs' Dark Matter series. Find out more here, external.

In the run-up to MIF17, we ran a project called Festival in My House, inviting and producing people's ideas for tiny arts festivals in their own homes.

In this programme, Nija Dalal-Small, who held one of these 'tiny festivals' in her own Levenshulme home, visits some of the others. Catch up here!

Image source, MIF

Image source, MIF

Whether you're in Manchester or not, you can immerse yourself in the neon world of Nina Freeman in her new game Lost Memories Dot Net, external.

And if you are in Manchester (lucky devils that you are), head down to the Neo Building, and play it in the comfort of our specially constructed installation.

Image source, MIF

Day nine of MIF, and we still have plenty more new stuff to put under your lucky eyes.

From 10am to 6pm today, you can watch Karl Hyde create his Manchester Street Poem installation live - from wherever you are in the world, external - as well as play our first ever game commission Lost Memories Dot Net, external.

For those lucky enough to be in Manchester, we're welcoming the glorious Parisian sensation Chassol , external(he's played on Frank Ocean's most recent album, among other stellar accolades) to the Pavilion theatre for one night only, as well as the beautifully textured, spooky and mesmerising Haxan Cloak, external as part of our Dark Matter gig series., external

In the meantime, our much-talked-about, Dr Strangelove inspired What If Women Ruled The World?, external continues to debate vital world issues with a female slant, and legendary dance piece Available Light , externalwows audiences from a brand new generation.

Is that enough to be getting along with for now? Take a look at the full day's schedule here, external, and we'll see you in Festival Square. , external

Artist Yael Bartana wants you to imagine a world where women are in charge. What would be different? What would be the same? Taking cult film Doctor Strangelove as her starting point, she and a cast of extraordinary women, invited experts and Royal Court director Vicky Featherstone are asking the question, what if women ruled the world, external? Watch this space for information about a live stream!

Image source, MIF

Image source, MIF

Image source, MIF

We're bringing cult favourite Machynlleth Comedy Festival to our very doorstep this weekend, with amazing comedians and sketch-artists from across the UK and beyond.

The line-up is incredible, so pick entirely at random, and plan some funny into your weekend. Your stomach muscles will thank us.

Lucinda Childs, choreographer of Available Light, external, shared the five pieces of dance that most inspire her – here's the first, Steps in the Street (1936) by Martha Graham, which she calls "a stunning early work of Graham for an ensemble of women in linear motion".

We bumped into miniature schnauzer Tommy on the benches of Albert Square, discussing electronic jazz fusion with his human.

Image source, MIF

Name: Tommy

Profession: Schnauzer

Age: Two

Top tip:

Thanks Tommy. We'll let you get back to your pizza and nu-wave theories.

Learn more about our Dark Matter gigs, external

Tara Collette
MIF17 Creative 50

Today, our brilliant local artist Tara Collette brings us an ode to... Festival Square. On a beautifully sunny day, it does feel appropriate.

See the entire MIF GIF-a-day series here, external

Sun, drinks, food, free music, deck chairs and the occasional excellent dog.

Sorry, we'll stop trying to make you jealous soon. Get down here, Manchester.

Find out more about events in Festival Square, external