After quite some time away at the hands of our foe COVID-19, the award-winning Manchester Music Tours is back to provide a unique experience for music lovers in the city.
By visiting all the places across Greater Manchester that have defined some of the city’s biggest bands, you’ll get a true insights into the band’s lives and where they cut their teeth.
Led by Rose Gill alongside some guest tour guides, you’ll hear stories from those that experienced Manchester’s 80s and 90s music scene first-hand.
The Manchester Music Tours bus.
There are five different guided tours on offer. Each one an ode to a different iconic Manchester band. From Salford Lads Club, synonymous with The Smiths to Boardwalk where Oasis played their first ever gig, this is the ultimate Manchester music pilgrimage.
If Morrissey is your man, The Smiths tour will take you on a three-hour journey to places like Strangeways prison and The Iron Bridge that all inspired the lyrics to some of the band’s most famous songs.
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A guided tour of Salford Lads Club will also grant access to ‘The Smiths Room’ which has been kept as a shrine to the band with memorabilia and posters.
Recreate this iconic image of The Smiths stood outside Salford Lads Club.
Alternatively, fans of Joy Division can embark on a four-hour tour which takes a deep dive into the band as well as The Hacienda and Factory Records.
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Iconic stop-offs include Epping Walk Bridge and the home of Alan Erasmus, the location of the original Factory Records HQ when it was first established in 1979.
Praised by the Gallagher brothers themselves, the Oasis tour will explore the pair’s Burnage childhood, before visiting the clubs and rehearsal rooms that changed the band’s career forever.
Remember the Definitely Maybe album artwork? Well, this one will also take you the very house that was used on the cover. There’ll also be some crate-digging opportunities at Sifters record store, made famous by the band’s song Shakermaker.
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Visit the house pictured in the iconic Definitely Maybe album artwork.
The Stone Roses trip, however, will call at Granada Studios where the band made their TV debut performing ‘Waterfall’. And with a visit to Chorlton Waterpark that inspired the hit song ‘Mersey Paradise’ – and a show around the site of International 1 where they held their first gig in 1985 – you can walk in the footsteps of Ian Brown and the boys.
But for those that can’t decide on their favourite band (and really, we’d be stuck for choice too) you can get a taster of all the best bits with the Manchester Music Tour Special. This one will take you on a whistle stop tour of highlights from all four of the tours for the ultimate experience.
There are photo opportunities to be had at every location of each tour, plus tea and coffee to keep you going. And if you fancy a private tour of your own, get in touch.
Now, we all know music lover who’d be up for this, don’t we? Grab your tickets here.
Things To Do
Manchester announces ‘poignant’ plans to mark Remembrance Sunday with free city centre service
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is set to honour the ‘service and sacrifice’ of members of the armed forces community during this year’s annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations.
With Remembrance Day only a couple weeks away now, just as it does each year, Manchester City Council has now revealed how the city will mark this important occasion, and has confirmed all the details of the annual Remembrance Sunday Parade.
Proceedings will start on John Dalton Street at 10:30am, and run right through until midday – with the service itself being held at 11am.
Veterans, military personnel and cadets, all led by Greater Manchester Police‘s Band, will march from John Dalton Street to the Cenotaph St. Peter’s Square.
This will be followed by a short return march to Mount Street across St Peter’s Square.
The service will begin at the Cenotaph at 10:58am, and a two-minute silence will be observed at 11am in tribute to those who have lost their lives in conflict. The start and conclusion of the silence will be marked by the firing of a maroon.
/ Credit: Manchester City Council
Following the service, veterans, military personnel and cadets will take part in a short return march across St Peter’s Square to Mount Street.
As the Council marks another year of its partnership with the Royal British Legion, further the Remembrance Sunday events will take place across the city following the service – including arts and crafts sessions, memorial services, and performances.
“Remembrance Sunday is one of the most important occasions in Manchester’s civic calendar,” declared Councillor Shaukat Ali, who it the Lord Mayor of Manchester.
“It is a time for us to come together as a city to remember and honour the courage, sacrifice and service of those from our diverse communities who have given so much in times of conflict. I want to encourage residents, families and visitors to join us at the Cenotaph as we pay our respects and ensure that the contribution of past and present generations is never forgotten.”
Manchester’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations will take place on Sunday 8 November from 10:30am onwards.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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Stockport’s ‘spectacular’ Christmas festival to return with FREE shows and hundreds of performers
Emily Sergeant
Stockport will soon be looking festive, as more than 50 free shows and hundreds of performers descend on the town centre.
Back by popular demand for its fourth year to kick off Christmas in style, especially after the inaugural event resulted in the busiest Sunday for the Greater Manchester town’s centre since 2019, Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday will be returning next month for a one-day festival packed with magical street theatre, banging brass bands, carnival fun, and loads more.
Hundreds of captivating performers will take over Stockport for the day, and 2026’s lineup promising something for the whole family.
Think a giant snow lion, a circus adventure into space, the world’s smallest nightclub, and so much more – with more than 50 free shows and activities to enjoy all day long.
Stockport’s Christmas festival will be returning with free shows and hundreds of performers next month / Credit: Matthew Nichol (Supplied)
Produced by renowned carnival arts organisation, Global Grooves, and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway, and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement from midday right through to 5pm, as performers take over iconic Stockport locations.
You can head to places like Market Place, the Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock, and Suffragette Square to make the most of all the festive fun.
Streets and squares will become stages for larger-than-life puppets, mischievous comedy, and live music, all building to a ‘showstopping’ parade finale featuring more than 100 drummers, and a Christmas lights switch-on at 4:45pm.
Festive bands will provide plenty of Christmas cheer throughout the day.
“It’s fantastic to see Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday return for a fourth year,” commented Cllr Micheala Meikle, who is the Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Skills at Stockport Council.
“The event has become a much-loved part of Christmas in Stockport, bringing together creativity, community spirit and plenty of festive cheer.
“It’s also a great opportunity to experience everything our town centre has to offer, from our historic Market Place and Underbanks to the vibrant spaces that are helping bring more people together in Stockport.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming residents and visitors for what promises to be another memorable start to the festive season.”
Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday 2026 is taking over the town centre next month on Sunday 15 November from 12pm onwards, and it’s free for all to attend.
Hannah Starkie -
25th June 2021 
