CHECKLIST FOR THE CITY

A GUIDE TO

Live music and Manchester go hand in hand. From Joy Division, The Smiths, The Stones Roses and Oasis to Bugzy Malone, IAMDDB and The Mouse Outfit, Manchester has always been leading the way in British music. While you’re here in Manchester, you can see that legacy continue to grow by checking out artists at a huge variety of venues all over the city. GORILLA With a capacity of around 600, this is still one of the smaller venues on our list - perfect for seeing artists just before they break into the big time. They also put on one off shows with huge artists - Kylie Minogue, Snoop Dogg and Foals have both played here in recent years so keep your eyes peeled and you might be able to see a mega-act in a small space! SOUP KITCHEN Deep in the Northern Quarter is Soup Kitchen, a self-described canteen, bar and music venue playing host to live music and club nights. With a capacity of around 200, it’s perfect for catching smaller artists in the city. Named one of the 10 Best Night Clubs in the UK by Guardian in 2015 and winner of the Best Live Music Venue in Manchester in 2013 from DesignMyNight, this is a must visit for all music fans in the city. Soup Kitchen, 31-33 Spear St, M1 1DF BAND ON THE WALL Band on the Wall has, in some form, been a music venue in Manchester for the best part of a century, when in the early 20th century musicians would play for drinkers when it was a pub known as The George and Dragon. Nowadays it’s somewhat different, with a lovely bar serving over 50 gins and freshly made food served all evening. Adjacent to the bar is the 350-capacity music venue that hosts artists from a variety of different cultures all around the world, as well as homegrown talent from here in Manchester. Band on the Wall, 25 Swan St, M4 5JZ MANCHESTER’S MUSIC VENUES words Sam Peckett

Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth St, M1 5WW

O2 APOLLO Home to both music gigs and comedy nights, the O2 Apollo’s sloped floor means perfect views from front to back of the 3500-capacity venue. Ideal for hosting artists just before they make the step up to arenas, plenty of big names play here.

ALBERT HALL The Albert Hall is set a music venue set in an old chapel, featuring stained glass windows and a huge organ still in place. With a capacity of around 1,800, The Albert Hall is perfect for catching mid-sized acts in a gorgeous, unique setting. A must visit.

Albert Hall, 27 Peter St, M2 5QR

NIGHT & DAY CAFE Night & Day Café is a cornerstone of the Northern Quarter and Manchester’s vibrant and diverse live music scene. Its red neon sign invites you into a cosy bar and cafe which turns itself into a 220-capacity music venue in the evenings. A rite of passage for young bands, plenty of up-and-coming artists come and play here. Visit and you might just catch the next big thing.

Night & Day Café, 26 Oldham St, M1 1JN

The O2 RITZ Located across the road from Gorilla, The O2 Ritz is a grade-II listed building built nearly 100 years ago. As a result it’s a stunning 1,500 capacity venue, meaning gig-goers get one of the best experiences in the city. Its iconic balcony overlooks the stage for when you fancy a relaxed evening and below is a huge floor space for when you fancy a dance.

The O2 Ritz, Whitworth St W, M1 5NQ

MANCHESTER ACADEMY Manchester Academy has four venues located in and around the University of Manchester’s Students’ Union: Academy 1, Academy 2, Academy 3 and Club Academy, with capacities of 2,600, 900, 450 and 620 respectively. The varieties in size mean a diverse set of artists play the venues and with cheap food and drink at the Union bar downstairs, it’s the perfect place to meet up for a catch-up before the show.

UoM Students Union, Oxford Rd, M13 9PR

MANCHESTER ARENA With a capacity of 21,000 Manchester Arena has the highest seating capacity of any indoor venue in the UK, and is one of the busiest indoor arenas in the world. Hosting music as well as comedy, sport, talks and more, this is the place to see huge acts from all over the world.

Manchester Arena, Victoria Station Approach, M3 1AR