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What is Manchester Like? We Answer your Most Googled Questions

what is manchester like?

We decided to try and answer almost every question possible that people ask about Manchester on the internet. We are The Manchester Shop after all, and what is that if not all things Manchester?!

CONTENTS

Tap on the title to jump ahead in the article.

Manchester & Salford Skyline 2020
ChrisClarke88, CC-BY-SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is Manchester a Good Place To Live?

Choosing somewhere to live is a really important decision. You've got to consider all the things that matter the most to you – what's the culture like, is it easy to get around, how quickly can I get to the countryside? Whatever questions you might have, we've got the answers here. We're sure you'd love Manchester, and we welcome everyone with open arms! This guide will give you more of an idea of what it's like to live in Manchester.

We're obviously a bit biased with this one, but we've got to say – yes, it's a great place to live! And it's not just us that think so. Manchester constantly comes out at the top of the Best Cities in the World to live in, including #13 in Time Out's The 53 best cities in the world in 2022, citing the friendly Mancunians and top-notch culture as to why people love it so much. The Times also rates Altrincham near Manchester as one of the best places to live in the UK. And it looks like Time Out loves Manchester as much as we do, putting the Northern Quarter in the city centre at #31 in the 51 coolest neighbourhoods in the world.

But this city is more than just a point on a media site's bullet list. If you were to ask someone from Manchester why they loved living here, they'd probably give you an endless list of why it's so great. It can be simplified with the following - the people, the places, the things! We're a friendly lot who like to add a bit of sunshine to the day even when it's grey outside. We find joy in our homes, our local pubs, and our favourite happy spaces. We love our architecture, our small businesses, we are incredibly proud of our community and what we've achieved since the city was established in 1853.

Is Manchester A Safe Place To Live? / Is Manchester Dangerous?

Due to the population of Manchester growing rapidly in recent times, the statistics don't look great for Manchester's crime rate compared to the rest of the country. However, the numbers to back this are mixed, with Homedit rating Manchester and the surrounding towns the safest area in the UK to live in, but Manchester Evening News rating it as the second most dangerous city in terms of burglaries.

It would be reasonable to argue that most places in the UK have worse areas than others, and to assess what you need from a community before living there.

What Is the Manchester Clean Air Zone?

Clean Air Greater Manchester is a strategy to clean up Greater Manchester's air, including the implementation of Clean Air Zones. This aims to tackle illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) air pollution on local roads in Greater Manchester. Plans to create "charging zones" for driving in certain areas were meant to go ahead in May 2022, but non-charging investment-led options are currently being considered.

Air pollution in Manchester puts everyone's health at risk, especially those with vulnerable immune systems like children and the elderly. If you'd like to find out what you can do to help fight air pollution in your area, take a look at the Be the Change section on the CAGM website.

Is Manchester Tap Water Safe To Drink?

Not only is the tap water safe to drink, but it's also notoriously delicious! We're lucky enough to have water pumped straight from the Lake District directly into our homes via the Thirlmere Aqueduct. Built in 1894 (another creation from our hard-working ancestors during the industrial revolution), it provides a continuous supply of fresh water to the 2.8 million people in Greater Manchester.

What Time Zone Is Manchester UK?

Manchester observes British Summer Time (BST) from the end of March until the end of October (check the dates, it changes each year!) then Greenwich Meridian Time (GMT) for the rest of the year.

What Does Manchester Look Like?

Manchester is well known for its Victorian architecture, red brick mills built during the industrial revolution and contemporary skyscrapers including the Beetham Tower and Deansgate Square. It's definitely worth looking up while you're wandering around! The best examples of the old buildings can be found around Castlefield or Ancoats where cotton mills from the 1800s were built.

Is Manchester Posh?

We would probably be the first to say that Mancunians are not "posh"! Although the city centre does have its fair share of swanky bars and fine dining, as well as areas of Greater Manchester being favoured by Manchester United and Manchester City players to live in.

Why Is Manchester Important?

Manchester played a huge part in the industrial revolution during the 1800s, supplying cotton and woven textiles to the whole world. During this time, Manchester established itself as a centre for new discoveries, scientific breakthroughs and technological developments, which flowed into the 20th and 21st century. Most notably it's the place where Ernest Rutherford split the atom in 1917, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov isolated the first graphene in 2004 and the world's first stored-program computer was developed in 1948.

It's also well-known for its contributions to music through the rise of dance artists and indie bands during the '80s and '90s.

Is Manchester a Big City?

This one is a bit divisive, but we think the people of Manchester would agree – it's big enough to constantly have lots going on and is always growing, yet it still feels like it's a community of neighbourhoods due to the friendly nature of Mancunians.

Manchester is part of the "Northern Powerhouse," a strategy that unites the North's great communities and pools talent to "unleash the full economic potential of the North." The effect has been so great, a lot of people from all over the UK and the rest of the world have relocated to Manchester to take advantage of the job opportunities and more affordable housing (compared to the South of the UK.)

The result of this has been mass urbanisation - towns and villages surrounding Manchester like Sale and Stockport have seen huge investments in their town centres recently. Developments in bars, places to eat and entertainment complexes have meant that people don't need to "go into town" to have fun in their free time.

This isn't just in recent times either. The industrial revolution saw Manchester grow from a town of 10,000 to a city of 2.3 million in 200 years, due to the manufacturing of cotton and textiles around the city.

Is Manchester Bigger Than Birmingham?

They're both known as the UK's second cities, but in terms of population Birmingham is bigger. The two get compared very frequently because they're so similar; both cities of industry, both landlocked, both known for their musical prowess and friendly people. Both cities are in large counties with very popular surrounding areas. Birmingham's growth is due to being able to access London and the South easily, while benefiting from more reasonably priced housing and a better quality of life.

But there is often debate about which is bigger, as people get confused between the 'Greater' area or the city only. For example, the current population of the city of Birmingham is over twice the size of Manchester (1,141,816 compared to 552,858 - so no contest there!). However, as the graph above shows, Greater Manchester's population is 2.8m - very nearly the size of Urban Birmingham which was measured at 2.9m in the 2021 census. So again, it's Birmingham that wins the population contest!

Is Manchester a Town?

Manchester isn't a town, in fact, it's often referred to as the UK's "second city" and is seen as one of the leaders in economic importance and cultural contribution, second-most important to the capital of London. Manchester gained city status in 1853 during the height of the industrial revolution when there were 108 cotton mills in the city.

It's understandable where the confusion of whether Manchester is a town or a city has come from, as it's quite commonly referred to as "town" by Mancunians.

Is it expensive to live in Manchester?

The cost of living in Manchester is more reasonable than London and the south, although housing and rent prices have gone up considerably in the last few years due to growth in the city. According to Numbeo.com, rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in Manchester city centre averages around £924, whereas London is over twice the price at £1,962.

Most people who want to live in Manchester and take advantage of all it has to offer, save money by living in the surrounding areas such as Stockport, Trafford and Rochdale and use public transport to travel in which is generally reliable and reasonably priced.

What is the weather like in Manchester?

Manchester is notoriously wet and rainy, but we don't really mind embracing it, when the sun shines it's one of the best places in the world to be! Although looking at the numbers, Manchester's rainfall is lower than the rest of the country generally, coming in at 806.6mm annually (318.4mm lower than the national average!)

Inside Mackie Mayor Smithfield Market Hall
Duncan.Hull, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What can you do in Manchester?

There's never a dull moment in Manchester! If you'd like to plan some places to check out when you come to visit, here are some highlights…

Gigs and concerts

Manchester is well known for its music scene. One of the best bits about this is the hundreds of gig venues around the city. You'll be able to see live bands every night in Manchester, from pub venues in the Northern Quarter (our favourites are Gullivers, The Castle and Peer Hat) to iconic clubs and arenas (try Ritz, Gorilla or Manchester Arena.)

Galleries and museums

Looking for something fun and free to enjoy in Manchester? There are loads of galleries and museums for you to check out with work from international artists and exhibitions to expand your mind. Manchester Museum is near the universities on Oxford Road and features ancient Egyptian artefacts and prehistoric fossils. While Manchester Art Gallery right in the heart of the city has frequently rotating retrospectives and new work, from artists such as Grayson Perry, Martin Parr and Leonardo Da Vinci, plus classic permanent work from Pre-Raphaelite pieces to modern pieces from Banksy.

Our other favourites are HOME, for contemporary artwork from local artists, National Football Museum for all things related to the beautiful game and The Lowry for artwork from their namesake's industrial Northern landscapes in the 1940s.

Food and Drink

Whether you fancy a quick bite, or a 10-course dining experience, Manchester has it all. Don't listen to the wives of Manchester City players, we are a city of foodies and new exciting eateries and bars are opening all the time!

There are more places to eat than we could possibly list here, from Michelin star mana, to local rice-and-three favourite This & That. The cuisine is massively varied in the city, more than just your average Italian, Indian or Chinese spots (but we do those very well too, with our very own Chinatown and curry mile!) The most popular places to eat in Manchester recently have been in spaces that showcase small independent traders. Check out Hatch, Mackie Mayor, GRUB, Escape to Freight Island and Society to browse all the wonderful street food style stalls.

Shopping

Fancy a bit of retail therapy? Manchester has everything you need for the ultimate shopping experience! From small independents selling gifts and vintage clothing (check out COW and Thunder Egg in the Northern Quarter,) all the essentials (the Arndale Centre for your high-street staples) or a "treat yourself" moment in the high-end department stores (Selfridges and Harvey Nichols are right next to each other at Exchange Square.)

If you want a truly unique day of shopping, look no further than Afflecks, home of The Manchester Shop! Established in 1982, Afflecks has been championing small businesses for over 40 years with over 60 different traders all under one roof. From ice cream parlours to tattoo studios, jewellery shops to retro '80s clobber, you'll find it here. Make sure you pop into The Manchester Shop for all things Mancunian when you visit!

See the country

If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of Manchester city centre, getting out to the countryside is as simple as hopping on the train. Local favourites include Edale (near Castleton, home of Mam Tor,) Hebden Bridge (on the Yorkshire border, great for canal walks and hanging out with hippies) and Greenfield (breathe the fresh air around Dovestone reservoir) all within one hour on the train from Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Victoria train stations.

Does Manchester Have a Beach?

 

Manchester's got everything except a beach. - Ian Brown

So no, as Ian said, Manchester doesn't have a beach. Though geographically landlocked, it is connected to the sea by the Manchester Ship Canal which is still open to shipping in Salford and Trafford. However, we're lucky enough to be a quick train ride or drive from Blackpool, Llandudno, Ainsdale, Lytham St Annes and West Kirby beaches, so it's easy to see the sea from Manchester.

Where is Manchester Located?

We're up north! Nestled between the hills of the Pennine Way in Yorkshire and the Irish Sea on the coast of Merseyside, Manchester is in the perfect place for getting anything you need within an hour or two's drive or train journey.

What County Is Manchester In?

Manchester is historically situated in the county of Lancashire, a northern county famous for being the home of Blackpool, Pendle Hill and Lancashire hot pot. However, the city was incorporated into the county of Greater Manchester when it was established in 1974. Formed with parts of Cheshire, Lancashire and the West Riding of Yorkshire, Greater Manchester covers nearly 500 square miles and is the second most populous urban area in the UK. Comprising 10 metropolitan boroughs, Greater Manchester is a mix of urban and rural areas.

Is Manchester A County?

The City of Manchester isn't a county, but Greater Manchester sure is! The city is the commercial and geographic heart of Greater Manchester, a hub for other towns part of Greater Manchester, such as Wigan (home of the annual World Pie Eating Championship), Salford (birthplace of The Smiths and LS Lowry) and Stockport (where you'll find Stockport viaduct, one of the largest brick structures in the United Kingdom.)

What Is Manchester Like For Students?

Manchester has everything a student could possibly need! Want to spend some downtime concentrating on your studies? There are 10 different libraries offering a serene environment for you to research in or focus. Alexandra Park is also a lovely green area on campus if you wanted to do some outdoor reading.

Fancy grabbing something cheap and cheerful for tea and maybe getting a drink with some friends? The city centre offers loads of different options, especially around the Oxford Street area with places like YES, Hatch and Font offering frequent food and drink deals. Or you might find yourself living in areas just outside the city centre, such as Rusholme, Fallowfield or Withington - all great places that offer loads of options for a discount dinner and a pint.

If your wardrobe needs updating, we have loads of thrift and vintage shops where you can grab some completely unique clobber, including several in the place where we call home, Afflecks!

Manchester is known all over the world for its fantastic nightlife with a huge variety of places to go to let your hair down after uni. From pop clubs in the Gay Village, to indie bars in the Northern Quarter, you'll have a great night out wherever you end up!

University of Manchester Brunswick Park Building - 50140148308
citysuitesimages, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What Is Manchester University Like?

Whether you want to fully focus on your studies while getting your degree or you want a blend of student learning and student living, Manchester University has it all.

Their facilities vary from vast libraries and research areas to busy student unions and gig venues. It's walking distance from the city centre, so if you need to pick up a part-time job or an artisan pastry, it's all on your doorstep.

Looking through the Google reviews of the university, the thing the students seem to love the most are the beautiful old buildings that make up most of the university campus. One reviewer described it as "it's own town in the middle of the city" which based on all the nearby facilities, bars, restaurants, gyms, etc. we feel is pretty accurate!

Is Manchester University Good?

According to the Manchester University website, the university is among the world's top 50 universities and has been ranked 9th globally in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022, which uses various sustainability goals to chart universities internationally. With 25 Nobel Prize winners having worked or studied there, it's most well-known for its chemistry, physics, physiology and economics departments.

Is Manchester A Campus University?

The University is often referred to as a campus university, however this is not quite true. The University of Manchester is an important element of the city, with its red-brick academic buildings and amenities scattered around the metropolis of over 500,000 people. But the majority of the uni is divided into two sections known informally as the 'North Campus' and the 'South Campus'. Manchester University campus boasts an eclectic mixture of architecture, from 1800s brick Victorian buildings built during the industrial revolution to unusual triangular accommodation previously vacated by communist pioneer Frederich Engels and rock 'n' roll physicist Professor Brian Cox.

Is Manchester A Russell Group University?

The University of Manchester is a member of the Russell Group, a self-selected association of public research universities. The Russell Group states that "its aim is to help ensure that our universities have the optimum conditions in which to flourish and continue to make social, economic and cultural impacts through their world-leading research and teaching."

What Is Manchester University Known For?

The fantastic reputation the university has earned from its prestigious graduates and being located in a growing and vibrant city means that more students apply to Manchester than to any other university in the country. Manchester University is known as the place where Ernest Ruthrford split the atom, Alan Turing pioneered artificial intelligence and where isolating the properties of graphene won scientists Andre Geim and Kostya Novoselov the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010.

Other educational pioneers from Manchester university include the economist Arthur Lewis, who became the first black professor at a British university when he started lecturing there in 1947, and Christabel Pankhurst, a Manchester law graduate unable to enter the profession on account of her gender, who then became one of the suffragette movement's most committed campaigners.

Most notably though, The University of Manchester absolutely smashed University Challenge, winning 4 times and is currently in joint lead with Magdalen College Oxford and Imperial College London.

What Is Manchester Metropolitan University Like?

Attended by Steve Coogan, LS Lowry and Dame Julie Walters, Manchester Met has over 40,000 students specialising in four faculties - Arts and Humanities, Business and Law, Health and Education and Science and Engineering. Founded in 1889, the campus is also located in Manchester city centre around the Oxford Road area. Manchester Met's facilities include a five-storey library which is open 24 hours a day, several sports areas close to the University, offering a great range of health and fitness activities and exclusive membership deals for students.

Is Manchester Expensive For Students?

The University of Manchester has estimated living costs for students to be around £269 a week, or £11,055 annually, including accommodation, food, clothes and budgeting £50 a week for recreational use. It is possible to live cheaply and live well in Manchester. We have a reliable bus network with a £2 cap on single fares and the areas around the universities are cycle friendly. There are several ALDI and LIDL supermarkets around the city centre and student areas to make your food shop more pocket-friendly, plus independent greengrocers around Rusholme and Fallowfield can make buying fresh fruit and vegetables every week cheaper.

What Is Famous In Manchester?

Manchester is known all over the world for its cultural exports, most notably music and sports. Manchester United and Manchester City are two of the most successful football clubs in the world and are just 5 miles away from each other. The popularity of acid house and Britpop in the '80s and '90s led to the birth of several legendary indie bands from Manchester, including Oasis, The Stone Roses and Joy Division.

Manchester is also well-known for its Victorian architecture, contributions to the world of science and engineering and manufacturing of cotton during the industrial revolution.

Our piece on "What is Manchester Famous for?" gives you a full rundown of all the fantastic things from Manchester!

Bee mosaic in Manchester Town Hall floor - geograph.org.uk - 1128600
David Hawgood / Bee mosaic in Manchester Town Hall floor

What Is The Manchester Bee Symbol?

The Manchester bee is an iconic symbol of the city. An emblem of Mancunians' hard work ethic and of Manchester being a hive of activity, the bee dates back to Manchester's role in the industrial revolution, when people worked tirelessly in the cotton mills all over the city. You can now see the bee in Manchester's coat of arms and all over the city centre, from street art to bollards.

Want to know more about the Manchester Bee? Check out our Complete Guide to the Manchester Bee!

What Is A Manchester Tart?

If you're looking for a delicious alternative to the equally tasty Bakewell tart, you've got to try the Manchester tart! A staple of '80s school dinners, this custard and coconut treat is thought to have been created by Mrs Beeton during Victorian times. Favoured by Mr Manchester himself Peter Kay ("You can never have too much Manchester tart. Paddy McGuinness will back me up on that one. Only he won't be talking about the pudding…") the Manchester tart was popular during World War II and is still being made in the city today by Robinson's bakers in Failsworth.

Is Manchester LGBT Friendly?

Manchester has a prominent history of being one of the UK's most LGBT+ friendly and inclusive cities. We're proud to go beyond Canal Street and the Gay Village, with LGBT+ owned small businesses (our favourites are MUOBU in Afflecks and Queer Lit on Tib Street) and several LGBT+ focused charities based here (including LGBT+ Foundation, The Proud Trust and akt who we support with our Rainbow Bee collection.)

Canal Street Sign Manchester - 50140145208
citysuitesimages, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What Is Gay Village Manchester?

In an area that was initially in decline due to lack of use, after the canals stopped being the main mode of goods transportation during the industrial revolution, Canal Street eventually started to gain attraction from the LGBT+ community after The New Union pub would host drag shows during World War II (The New Union is still there today!).

Since then, the area has grown and grown in popularity and size, from the pioneering Manto bar that opened in 1991 with a large glass frontage so everyone can see inside, to becoming the most successful gay village in Europe.

Is Manchester Gay Village Safe?

The initial concept of the gay village was to create a "safe space" for the LGBT+ community - a welcoming and friendly place that's open to all, regardless of your sexuality or gender.

However, as with anywhere, it's important whenever you're in any tourist-heavy area in a city centre to stay safe. Keep your valuables close, make sure you're with a friend and keep an eye on your drinks. If you stay savvy of your whereabouts, you can enjoy the fun and vibrant nightlife the Gay Village offers.

What Is Manchester Pride Festival?

Manchester Pride festival takes place every August Bank Holiday. Although the hub for the big festival events is centred around the Gay Village, the whole city feels the pride for the festival, decorating shop fronts and bars with LGBT+ flags.

The weekend involves a huge vibrant parade where thousands of people from the LGBT+ community and their allies march through Manchester for equality. There's also a big Gay Village party featuring live acts, a live forum where activists discuss human rights and equality, plus family-friendly activities during the whole weekend. It's an event for all that raised £120,062.38 for LGBTQ+ communities during the 2022 festival.

What Is Manchester International Festival?

Every two years, Manchester International Festival takes over the city for a month of culture from across the world, including art exhibitions, concerts, film screenings and theatre performances. Previous festivals have seen appearances and commissions from Björk, David Lynch, Kraftwerk, Marina Abramović and Mr Tumble. 2023's festival will see the opening of a brand new venue in Manchester, Factory International, which pledges to "put art at the heart of Manchester all year round.

Where Is Manchester Market?

Manchester has several markets specialising in a variety of different things, from artisan cuisine to unique gifts. Here's a pick of some of the most popular places in town and our favourites!

Manchester Arndale Market

Split into two halves, this indoor market is nestled in the corner of the Arndale Centre among all the other major high-street shops. On one side you'll find everything you'll need to look and feel fabulous, with nail technicians, small fashion retailers, haberdasheries and hair and beauty stalls. The other showcases small independent food traders featuring some of the top-rated takeaway food in Manchester. This is the place to go for salt and pepper chicken, Vietnamese treats, fresh smoothies and even craft beer - because there's a micro-pub there! Or if you fancy taking something home to cook yourself, there's a large fishmonger that sells everything from the sea and a greengrocer with a huge and diverse selection of produce.

The Piccadilly Gardens Street Food Market

Running every Wednesday to Sunday in Piccadilly Gardens, the Street Food Market is perfect for grabbing a quick and tasty lunch during the middle of the work week, or treating yourself to some delicious scran after a night out in Manchester at the weekend. From slabs of chocolate tiffin tray bakes to spicy Caribbean curries, you'll find whatever your taste buds are craving here. Why not take a trip to the food market and pop into The Manchester Shop, we're only around the corner on Oldham Street!

Manchester Maker's Market

Looking for a casual meander through some independent market stalls, showcasing the very best of the North West's creatives? Look no further than the Maker's Market! With a wide array of traders from jewellery crafters to print designers, plus live music and more tasty food and drink, the Maker's Market is a laid-back way to spend an hour or two perusing the lines of decorated table tops.

The Maker's Market only appears in certain areas on specific days of the week, and it's not exclusive to Manchester city centre. Check their website to see where and when they'll be popping up.

Manchester Christmas Market

Every year Manchester becomes the home of Christmas with market stalls that take over the whole city centre. From cosy wooden cabins to sit and enjoy steins of beer and hot glühwein in, to wooden huts with independent traders selling festive gifts (The Manchester Shop trades there every year!), Manchester Christmas Markets have something for everyone to get them feeling festive.

Want to know when the next Manchester Christmas Market is taking place? Keep an eye on our full rundown of when the markets are coming to town with our Complete Guide to the Manchester Christmas Markets.

Church Street Market

This line of market stalls at the bottom of Church Street near Afflecks is small but mighty! A true hidden gem of the city centre, you'll find rare second-hand books (at a stall featuring the iconic "Kill the Kindle, Buy a Book'' sign,) fresh organic fruit and veg, zero waste refill station for all your food cupboard needs and delicious Jamaican jerk chicken.

Which Manchester Station is Central?

Depending on which part of Manchester you'd like to visit, the city centre has 4 train stations with connections to different parts of the UK. There's also a reliable tram service that connects these train stations and parts of Manchester further afield.

Manchester Piccadilly Station

The hub for Manchester city centre, Piccadilly station offers 14 platforms with trains arriving from all over the country, including a fast and reliable 2-hour service to London Euston which runs every 20 minutes.

Great for - most of Manchester's top destinations are within walking distance from Piccadilly station, from Arndale shopping centre, to the Northern Quarter to Ancoats marina. You can also get to Etihad stadium by taking a tram from the station (5-10 minutes) or by walking up the canal (20-30 minutes.)

Manchester Victoria Station

Victoria is Manchester's transport link to the rest of the North! If you're coming from Yorkshire, the North East and Cumbria, you could end up at Manchester's oldest station, dating back to the 1840s. Filled with early 1900s architectural details, Victoria station was built to connect Manchester to Leeds and Liverpool during the industrial revolution.

Great for - Manchester Arena, National Football Museum, shopping at the Arndale Centre and dining at the Corn Exchange.

Manchester Oxford Road Station

If you're heading west from Manchester Piccadilly, it's likely you'll come through Oxford Road too. With regular trains to Manchester Airport, Edinburgh, Windermere and Llandudno, there are loads of other tourist spots for you to explore from Oxford Road.

Great for - HOME art gallery, cinema and theatre, Palace theatre and the university campus.

Deansgate Station

Deansgate is the lesser used and smallest station in the city centre, however, it's close to Deansgate tram station which acts as a hub for a lot of the major tram services. Most services that pass through Oxford Road will go through Deansgate too. From here, you'll be able to get to other Northern hot spots like Blackpool, Liverpool and Crewe.

Great for - Castlefield Viaduct, Great Northern cinema complex, Deansgate Locks bars and clubs.

What Is WHP Manchester?

If you're an acid house aficionado, you'll know that Manchester is the birthplace of rave. Since the late '80s, the city has been synonymous with loud dance music and havin' it large, due to the rise of artists such as Happy Mondays, 808 State, A Guy Called Gerald and the opening of iconic music venue The Haçienda. But since it closed in 1997, where could Mancunians go to rave their weekends away? Enter the Warehouse Project.

Established in 2006, WHP was born from the success of another iconic Manchester nightclub, Sankeys. A venture founded by business partners Sacha Lord and Sam Kandel, what started as a club night moving between disused spaces around urban Manchester creating an illegal rave vibe, has now found its home at Mayfield Depot where 10,000 ravers can enjoy their events. WHP has gained a reputation for having big-name mainstream musicians across all genres of music, from Aphex Twin to MF DOOM, The Prodigy to Chic. Its New Year's Eve parties have become legendary, with previous headline artists including Daft Punk, Chemical Brothers and Rudimental.

What is Parklife Manchester?

With sell-out events at the Warehouse Project and Manchester's music scene being one of its most well-known international exports, it makes sense that the city should also host one of the UK's fastest-growing festivals. Organised by the team at the aforementioned Warehouse Project, the festival went from hosting five acts in Platt Fields park Rusholme, to featuring huge global artists and accommodating nearly 83,000 people a day at Heaton Park. Recent headline acts include 50 Cent, Tyler the Creator and Snoop Dogg.

Oasis Noel and Liam 2005
Will Fresch, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which Bands Are From Manchester?

The success of musicians from Manchester has flowed throughout the history of popular music. From The Hollies and the Bee Gees in the '60s, 10cc and Buzzcocks in the '70s, The Smiths and Joy Division in the '80s and The Stone Roses and Oasis in the '90s. Similarly to Seattle, it's said that Manchester has created so much musical talent simply because it rains all the time - so you might as well stay in and write songs!

It's reasonable to say Manchester left its stamp on the music industry in the late 80s and early 90s with the acid house, rave and indie bands that were born here. These artists paved the way for musicians from all over the world right up to the present day. Although it's easy to be inspired by any of the musical acts from Manchester, here's a rundown of the five most influential big hitters…

  • The Smiths - Only active for five years but known internationally for their jangly and poetry-lead approach to indie, The Smiths formed when Johnny Marr and Stephen Patrick Morrissey struck up a friendship as teenagers during a Patti Smith gig at Manchester's iconic Apollo Theatre.

  • Joy Division & New Order - Creating their truly pioneering and unique sound from a blend of post-punk and new wave, Joy Division's founding members Peter Hook and Bernard Sumner were both in attendance at the legendary Sex Pistols at Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall gig. After the tragic death of lead singer Ian Curtis in 1980, the band re-formed as New Order, with Sumner on vocals and a more alternative dance and synth-pop style.

  • The Stone Roses - No one quite defines the iconic Madchester" sound like Stone Roses. Effortlessly crossing the borders of psychedelic rock and alternative dance, Stone Roses fans are as diverse and varied as the music they create. Although the Roses' road has been rocky with several break-ups and line-up changes since their formation in 1983, their recent accolades include a documentary directed by Shane Meadows and headlining Coachella festival in 2013.

  • Oasis - Heavily influenced by the aforementioned Stone Roses, the Gallagher brothers from Burnage formed in 1991 and rocketed quickly to stardom with their debut album Definitely Maybe, a cornerstone of Manchester music. With their iconic Britpop sound charting internationally, Oasis were known for their hedonistic touring lifestyle, playing to 250,000 people at Knebworth stadium and the fraught relationship between brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, a classic rock 'n' roll career.

What Is Manchester Arena?

Opening in 1995, Manchester Arena is a 21,000-capacity venue in Manchester city centre. Easily accessible from Victoria station, the Arena hosts a massive range of huge international acts every year, from Peter Kay to Little Mix, Liam Gallagher to Frozen on Ice! Constructed as part of Manchester's unsuccessful bid for the 2000 Summer Olympics, the arena hosts over 250 events annually including comedy, live music and tours, sporting events, and occasionally musicals.

On 22nd May 2017, 22 people were killed as a result of a terrorist incident at Manchester Arena during an Ariana Grande concert. This was a tragic event that shook the whole city, but it also marked a time of togetherness for the community of Manchester. During the immediate aftermath, local homeowners, hotels and venues along with Sikh temples (gurdwaras) offered shelter to survivors of the attack. There were lots of fundraising activities all over the city to help the families affected by the attack, including our own Manc & Proud t-shirt campaign raising £13,000 for British Red Cross through the MEN JustGiving fund.

What Is One Love Manchester?

As part of the community of Manchester coming together, Ariana Grande announced the One Love Manchester concert to be held 13 days after the terrorist incident at her concert. Featuring artists such as Take That, Coldplay, Liam Gallagher and Ariana herself, the concert was attended by over 55,000 people. The British Red Cross received £2.35 million in donations during the three-hour concert for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund. By the next day, the British Red Cross announced it had received more than £10 million since the attack, and subsequently, reports have set the total at more than £17 million.

 

Love Manchester as much as we do? The Manchester Shop has everything you need to celebrate all things Mancunian, including Manchester Prints, Mugs, Manchester Bucket Hats and more!

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