Manchester

Music is part of Manchester’s DNA and the city is widely acknowledged as one of the UK’s leading music centres. Renowned for its rich musical heritage, Manchester continues to be a major hub for live music, music production, education and industry development.

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Manchester has a thriving live music ecosystem that attracts audiences from across the UK and beyond. Consistently recognised as one of the country’s leading live music destinations, the city is home to a diverse network of venues ranging from the AO Arena and Co-op Live to Aviva Studios and iconic independent venues such as Band on the Wall, Matt & Phred’s and Albert Hall – a restored Grade II listed Wesleyan chapel – alongside a strong network of grassroots venues that continue to nurture emerging talent. In the past few years, Manchester has hosted major music events such as the BRIT Awards, the MOBO Awards and WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo), reinforcing its position as a music city of both national and international significance.

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Manchester’s music sector is a significant contributor to the regional economy. Research commissioned by Manchester City Council and Manchester Music City found that Greater Manchester’s music ecosystem generated £469 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) and supported more than 11,000 full-time equivalent jobs between 2019 and 2020, underlining its importance as one of the UK’s most significant music economies outside London.

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The city is home to internationally recognised cultural and educational institutions including the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata, Chetham’s School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music. Manchester has produced generations of influential artists, from Joy Division, The Smiths and Oasis to contemporary musicians working across a wide range of genres.

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As an active member of the Music Cities Network, Manchester contributes to international knowledge exchange on music policy, ecosystem development and best practice.