In Manchester for a short visit and looking to catch a gig while immersing yourself in the city’s music history? In this short guide you’ll find some iconic venues from the past, that continue to bring the newest stars to the spotlight.
1. Band on the Wall
Considered to be the oldest music venue in the city centre, it opened in the 1800’s as the pub George and Dragon and soon enough it started hosting live music. Renamed Band on the Wall in 1975 – from the nickname inspired by a stage high on a wall where live bands played – it transformed into a jazz club, before the punk revolution arrived in Manchester and icons including the Buzzcocks, the Fall and a young Bjork graced the venue. Nowadays, Band on the Wall focuses on celebrating all the diverse music communities from around the world.
See what’s on at Band on the Wall.
2. O2 Ritz
Notorious amongst locals for its sprung floor, the O2 Ritz (also known as The Ritz) stands as one of the most popular venues in the city. From its beginnings as a dancehall in 1927, welcoming prestigious dance bands through the 30s and 40s, and even presenting legendary artists such as The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and The Smiths, the O2 Ritz keeps bouncing back into the scene with a full program of internationally acclaimed acts.
See what’s on at O2 Ritz.
3. New Century
Opened just as the 60s were going into full swing, the dancehall of New Century was one of the most exciting spots in Manchester as it welcomed Jimi Hendrix, Tina Turner and The Rolling Stones before hosting the all-night Acid House parties of Madchester. After an extensive renovation, the venue reopened with a state-of-the-art sound system, the iconic disco ceiling, and a new foodhall and bar on the ground floor.
See what’s on at New Century Hall.
4. Manchester Academy
The cluster of four venues on the University of Manchester campus started with the opening of the Students’ Union in the late 50’s, this building is now the home to Academy 2, Academy 3 and Club Academy. Ironically, Academy 1 was actually the last venue to join the group, opening in 1990 with a gig from Bolton's own Buzzcocks. These days the Academy stages continue to be a platform for new artists to showcase their talent.
See what’s on at Manchester Academy.
5. O2 Apollo
The Art Deco style of O2 Apollo is a striking contrast to the urban suburb of Ardwick. In 1938 actress Margaret Lockwood opened the venue as a cinema and variety hall, before it became one of the premiere concert halls in Manchester and the city’s biggest music venue until 1995. In 1977, Mancunians would have watched David Bowie as a backing vocalist and keys for American legend Iggy Pop, while now you can find the newest acts taking to the Apollo stage.
See what’s on at O2 Apollo Manchester.
6. Albert Hall
Though it started its life in 1910 as a Wesleyan chapel for Manchester and Salford, the stunning Albert Hall started hosting ‘People’s Concerts’ for the public in its early years. Since then, the venue has also been the backdrop for political speeches (including Churchill in 1950), a nightclub on the ground floor of the hall, and the Albert Schloss space was even a car showroom for a few years. Since 2013 the former church has welcomed intimate performances by huge international stars.
See what’s on at Albert Hall.
7. Gorilla
Before it was Gorilla, the site under a Victorian railway arch was home to the Greenroom, an entertainment venue that saw the early days of bands such as James and comedians like Alan Carr. After 25 years, the Greenroom closed and Gorilla took over the space and became an essential stop on the UK touring circuit for up-and-coming national and international acts alike, with James Blake, Blossoms and Sam Fender having all performed at the venue.
See what’s on at Gorilla.
8. Night and Day Café
Located in the cool Northern Quarter, the Night and Day Café has earned its spot as one of Manchester’s most loved gig venues. The space opened the early 90s’, falling into pace with the city’s indie rock scene – Bury-raised Elbow played at the venue in their earlier days and continue to show their support for the institution even now. With live music most nights of the week, Night and Day are an essential part of Manchester’s music scene.
See what’s on at Night and Day Café.
More information
From Parklife to Warehouse Project and Pride to ground-breaking performances in offbeat venues including the White Hotel and Hidden, Manchester is the home of Unmissable Music.
You might also be interested in
Unmissable Music in Manchester – November Gig Guide
- 3 minute read
From London Grammar and Paraorchestra to ground-breaking performances in offbeat venues including…
Unmissable Music History in Manchester: Free Trade Hall
- 6 minute read
Above: The Halle Orchestra and Choir at Free Trade Hall, 1951 - Source: Halle Archive Free Trade…
Unmissable Music History in Manchester: Salford Lads and Girls Club
- 6 minute read
Hero Image Credit: Leslie Holmes Immortalised in a photo for The Smith’s third studio album…
Gig Review – Beyond the Music
- 4 minute read
Eleven venues across the Northern Quarter hosted three nights of brand-new talent from across the…
Spotlight Interview with Lucy Deakin
- 3 minute read
We spoke to Lucy Deakin, a alt-pop artist who started her career in Manchester and returning to…