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Northwest England

Musical Connections

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Looking for a city that has everything – then look no further! Manchester remains one of Britain’s edgiest and friendliest cities. With fantastic nightlife,free events and festivals, great value places to stay and free entry to some of Britain’s best museums and galleries, a visit to Manchester won’t burn a hole in your pocket…

Joy Division, New Order, The Smiths, Happy Mondays, Stone Roses and Oasis… these are just some of the great bands to come out of Manchester.

Music


Manchester is one of the world’s most innovative, original and exciting places for both making music and going out to listen to it. Here you can have it all: follow in the footsteps of Morrissey, look out for the next Happy Mondays or Oasis, enjoy world-class classical performances, or club it like there’s no tomorrow…

The Hollies, Herman’s Hermits, The Bee Gees…The Buzzcocks, The Fall, Joy Division…The Smiths, New Order, The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Oasis…Take That, Simply Red…Badly Drawn Boy, Elbow, Doves, The Courteeners…Manchester’s music scene has provided the soundtrack for generations of music fans. When The Sex Pistols played in Manchester in 1977, the likes of Factory Records, Joy Division emerged. The Smiths were the sound of the city for much of the eighties, while Madchester’s Happy Mondays and Stones Roses paved the way for Britpop kings Oasis.

Soundtrack


Freddie and the Dreamers’ You Were Made For Me evokes the innocent optimism of the early 60s’ vibe. From Rusholme Ruffians to Cemetery Gates, every Smiths’ track is Manchester through and through. The Stone Roses’ Fool’s Gold and Oasis’ Live Forever express a very Mancunian talent for just having it.

Every autumn, Manchester hosts 'In The City'. Brainchild of Factory records founder Anthony Wilson, this five-day expo attracts over 500 unsigned bands.

Did you know...?


1) The infamous Sex Pistols show at the Free Trade Hall was notoriously only seen by a handful of people but amongst them were the future members of Joy Division, Mick Hucknell from Simply Red, as well as Tony Wilson, the infamous founder of Factory Records and the Hacienda -  and subject of the recent film 24 Hour Party People.

2) The Smiths cover photo for the back of the classic The Queen is Dead album was taken outside the front of Salford Lad’s Club on Coronation Street, though no relation to the popular TV soap.

3) Justin Timberlake caused shopping chaos last year in Manchester’s city centre when the pop star  decided he wanted to buy some cool new trainers.

4) The Chemical Brothers formed at Manchester University in 1988 and here they developed their world famous DJing styles.

5) Ian Brown of local legends the Stone Roses and a proud Mancunian, famously said 'Manchester's got everything except a beach...'

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