As the first half term of 2026 approaches, you might be looking for activities to keep the kids busy on their week off. Manchester has an exciting…
Unmissable Music in Manchester
Manchester stands out as one of the UK’s leading cities for live music. From major arenas and award-winning festivals to small, characterful venues, live music in Manchester spans every genre and scale. Music has long shaped the city’s identity, and today it continues to thrive by blending a proud history with fresh, forward-thinking talent.
Manchester’s Musical Heritage and Venues
Manchester’s influence on music is extensive. It is home to the Hallé Orchestra and has produced globally recognised artists such as The Smiths, New Order, Oasis, The Stone Roses and The 1975. This legacy lives on through the city’s venues, from the historic impact of the Haçienda to established spaces like Albert Hall, Band on the Wall and Victoria Warehouse. Alongside them, independent venues such as Ambers, Hidden and The White Hotel continue to shape contemporary culture, making gigs in Manchester as diverse as the city itself.
Emerging Artists in Manchester
Manchester remains a vital base for emerging artists, supported by a strong network of grassroots venues and local events. New talent regularly shares stages with established acts, keeping the live music scene dynamic and accessible.
Whether you are visiting for a major awards ceremony or seeking out smaller gigs, live music in Manchester offers depth, variety and a genuine sense of place.
BRIT Awards and MOBO Awards 2026 in Manchester
In 2026, Manchester will host both the BRIT Awards and the MOBO Awards, underlining its growing status on the national and international music stage. Traditionally London-based, the ceremonies will take place at Co-op Live, the city’s state-of-the-art arena. The BRIT Awards arrive on 28 February, followed by the MOBO Awards on 26 March, bringing weeks of live performances, industry events and artist appearances. For visitors, this means an unrivalled opportunity to experience Manchester’s music scene at its most active and visible.
Manchester’s about to take centre stage. With the BRIT Awards and the MOBOs both heading north, the city is gearing up for a year that will shine a fresh spotlight on its musical identity. The BRITs will break tradition by leaving London for the first time, taking over Co-op Live, and a few weeks…
Manchester will take centre stage this spring as the MOBO Awards return on 26 March 2026, bringing a major celebration of Black music and culture to the city. Marking its…
Nominations for The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard were announced today exclusively via Bring on the BRITs, a digital broadcast filmed at Manchester’s Co-op Live and streamed across the official BRITs’ Instagram and Facebook. Hosts Charley Marlowe and Sarah Story revealed the artists nominated…
Harry Styles will perform at the 2026 BRIT Awards, marking his first live worldwide TV appearance, joined by multi-time nominee Olivia Dean, who performs shortly after her recent Grammy success. Ahead of the ceremony, BRITs Week 26 for War Child brings intimate gigs across Manchester, including two nights at YES with DJs Josh Baker and Rossi, as well as a special date at Manchester’s Albert Hall for one of Olivia Dean’s most intimate shows in recent times.
MOBO AWARDS 2026: Where music meets history
International icons Eve and Eddie Kadi will host the 2026 MOBO Awards, with Olivia Dean, FLO, and Tiwa Savage among the first performers announced. Ahead of the ceremony, the city will host the week-long MOBO Fringe Festival, featuring panels, workshops, showcases, and live performances celebrating emerging talent and Manchester’s creative communities.
Greater Manchester’s music scene is many things at once. Firstly, it’s loud and proud; self-assured and monolithic, the side of the city you’ve no doubt come to know. However, it’s also something more obscure and constantly evolving; it’s found in basements, fraying Victorian mansions, and in…
From iconic arenas to intimate stages, Manchester has it all. Discover the city's vibrant music scene with our ultimate venue directory – from legendary arenas to hidden basement gems. Whether you're into indie, electronic, jazz, or rock, find the perfect stage for every sound and…
Introducing Band on the Wall Band on the Wall has been at the heart of Manchester’s music scene for decades. The venue is renowned for jazz, folk, blues, and international music, and it played a key role in Manchester’s post-punk scene, hosting early gigs from Buzzcocks, The Fall, and…
Tucked just off Stevenson Square, you'll find The Fitzgerald. Inspired by the secret drinking spots of the Prohibition era, The Fitzgerald is a setting built for listening. A discreet entrance and darkened staircase open into an intimate, low-lit room where 1920s glamour frames the experience…
Thirty years on from Madchester, 'Manchester Music Then and Now: Music Worth Fighting For' demonstrates how Manchester music is stronger than ever, with more diversity, better venues, and a new generation of talent continuing the story.
