A city inextricably linked to its rich musical heritage, having produced some of the most successful bands in UK’s history. Abound with places to put on your dancing shoes to guitar music all night. So tune your Rock ’n’ Roll air guitar & mingle with the Mancunians in one of these brilliant Manchester Indie clubs.
This is where Rock history meets football. Learn about your favourite sports at National Football Museum before exploring iconic places behind Manchester Indie band The Smiths. Step into the world of football legends at Old Trafford stadium, home to Manchester United.
Read MoreThis Burnage house is childhood home of Oasis brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher. Please be discreet due to the current neighbourhood.
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Piccadilly Records is a Mancunian institution since its opening back in 1978 and repeatedly awarded for one of the best independent record shops in the area. Currently located in the vibrant Northern Quarter of the city, they are selling a broad mixture of vinyl and CDs from Rock, Pop, to Indie, Funk, Disco, and Alternative.
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Discover the life of British superstars Oasis. Learn about the neighborhood where the Gallaghers spent their early days. Reveal the band's impressive history beyond hidden spots. This is where chart breaking hits like Wonderwall become alive. Explore the successful rise of Britpop at first hand.
Read More384 Kings Road is the place where Steven Patrick Morrissey grew up. It is also the place where 19-years-old Johnny Marr knocked on the door in 1982 in order to form a band. Please be aware of the current residents and neighbours.
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subTOURING isn’t about mainstream sightseeing. It is travelling inspired by music. A hand-picked guide from passionate music lovers for enthusiasts of Rock, Indie, Metal, and Punk tunes. Offering a unique music travel experience in Manchester.
Get your authentic music experience in and around Manchester.
EXPLORE THE MUSIC MAPS
Up for a weekend trip with concert in Manchester? Check out the venue city guides focussing on before and after the concert. Get our best tips for accommodation and day activities including record stores as well as bars and restaurants.
Get the most music out of your trip. Hit the road. Follow your band.
GET YOUR GUIDESightseeing inspired by music
In Manchester, follow the traces of Britpop and the Madchester Movement. What better way to experience this city other than discovering all these iconic places? Find out how Manchester’s musical importance was developed by legendary early gigs. Enjoy memorable nights in one of the pulsating live music venues. And be thrilled by the Mancunian fandom for football.
Explore hidden music gems when on tour. Discover music stories beyond the common sightseeing spots. Where history of Rock is revealed and brought to life again.
This is where Rock history meets football. Learn about your favourite sports at National Football Museum before exploring iconic places behind Manchester Indie band The Smiths. Step into the world of football legends at Old Trafford stadium, home to Manchester United.
EXPLOREDiscover the life of British superstars Oasis. Learn about the neighborhood where the Gallaghers spent their early days. Reveal the band's impressive history beyond hidden spots. This is where chart breaking hits like Wonderwall become alive. Explore the successful rise of Britpop at first hand.
EXPLORERecord shopping at its best with five stores packed in a condensed walk through Manchester's lively Northern Quarter. Discover inspiring spots alongside nice cafés for some perfect hours in the heart of the city.
EXPLOREGet your authentic music experience
Manchester is renowned in the whole world for its musical significance born from middle class roots. The city played host to super-influential gigs, forming legendary bands before they became a global success. So it comes as no surprise that there are loads of venues offering great Indie nights. So channel your inner Rock 'n' Roll star.
Check out the venue and festival guide below to get our best tips for accomodation, day activities as well as bars and restaurants before and after the gig.
Get your authentic music experience in and around Manchester with subTOURING.
Use the map to discover the venues in Manchester with surrounding places to enjoy before and after the gig.
Iconic music genres and legendary bands have evolved from working-class Manchester.
To enjoy the big names in music business, head to Manchester Arena. If you’re more into something special, why not spend the evening at Rebellion, home to harder Rock, Indie, Metal, and Punk tunes. For intimate evenings, Band on the Wall offers small but yet incomparable live acts.
For more live music experiences, explore our full list of venues and festivals.
90s Britpop superstars
Oasis sibling on stage as solo artist
Post-Punk from Greater Manchester
Complex lyrics about the ordinary life
Electronic music duo
Alternative meets Progressive Rock
Pioneers in three-part vocal harmony style
Hugely appreciated in music scene
One of Madchester’s pioneering groups
Mick Hucknall combines Soul & Pop
Indie Rock from Manchester
Synth-Pop duo
From Madchester to Britpop
Manchester is globally known for its rich musical heritage and significance. The story of popular music in the city goes indeed back to the 1930s and 1940s with Manchester then becoming home to some of the most successful bands in England’s music history. During the 60s, the likes of The Hollies or The Bee Gees were among those hugely influential bands, followed by The Smiths, The Stone Roses, Oasis, and Joy Division.
The Sex Pistols gig at Free Trade Hall on 4 June 1976 is often described as one of the most influential concerts of all time. With an audience estimated to have been between 35 and 40 fans only, it may have been a small affair, but attendants of that show formed iconic Manchester bands such as The Smiths later on, building the face of the city’s independent music scene.
As Indie & Alternative Rock began to merge with Dance, House, or even Psychedelia and Sixties Pop in the late 1980s, the Madchester movement was born, with bands such as The Happy Mondays, Inspiral Carpets, James, The Charlatans, and The Stone Roses hitting the charts. At that time, legendary Hacienda night club, was major catalyst for the distinctive Manchester scene hosting some trailblazing gigs. The Smiths performed live here in 1983, before they became a global success.
In the mid 1990s, Britpop movement emphasized Britishness and produced a far more brighter Alternative Rock style, also in reaction to the much darker lyrical themes of US-led Grunge music from the likes of Nirvana or Pearl Jam. The most successful Britpop bands with worldwide success are Suede, Pulp, Blur, and Oasis with a media buzz chart battle between the two latter ones.
Today, Manchester is still inextricably linked to its unique musical heritage, with numerous bands dominating the music scene worldwide and loads of venues and clubs in town offering great live experiences.
