What better way to ruin Christmas than a very biased and totally one-sided list of the best Manchester bands of all time, decided by us at The Manc Audio.
When it comes to the question of ‘Who are the best Manchester bands’ everyone has an opinion, but this time yours is wrong and the only opinion that matters is ours. Sorry.
Here is our totally biased list of the top 30 Manchester bands of all time.
To stir the pot further we’ve also picked our favourite track by each band. Expect to see the regulars but expect a couple of newcomers, like our number 30…
30. Delights
We’re starting out with new and upcoming band Delights, who hail from Manchester. 2022 has been their year with the release of their new EP Cool Sports. They mix a blend of bedroom pop with 70s psych and funk. Our favourite track is Iris.
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29. The Ting Tings
Yeah, bet you didn’t know these were from Greater Manchester. Salford to be exact. These two absolutely owned 2008 with tunes like That’s Not My Name and Shut Up and Let Me Go. Then they seemingly disappeared. Despite the former two being more popular, Great DJ will always be our fave.
28. IST IST
In the past couple of years, post-punk has had a massive revival with NPR coining it ‘The Post-Brexit New Wave’. Loads of new bands have come out of this revival and IST IST has been our favourite with fans liking them (especially the vocals) to classic post-punkers, Joy Division. If you’re listening to anything by them make it You’re Mine.
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27. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
Noel Gallagher. Credit: Publicity picture
After the Oasis split, what else were Noel and Liam going to do but start their own bands? The High Flying Birds have had their flops (I’m looking at you Who Built The Moon). But they’ve also had their fair share of hits too, peaking in 2015 with their album Chasing Yesterday, an instant classic. Obviously our favourite is In The Heat Of The Moment.
26. Elbow
It’s hard to believe Elbow have been going since 1997 since it wasn’t until 2008 they brought out their magnum opus The Seldom Seen Kid, which featured massive tracks like Grounds for Divorce and of course ours and probably everyone else’s top track, One Day Like This.
25. The Hollies
We’ve got to the oldest band on the list now. The Hollies were one of the best and most commercially successful acts of the British Invasion back in the 60s, obviously trailing behind a couple of other bands including one called The Beatles, if you’ve heard of them? The Hollies have a massive selection of tunes but it’s the absolute anthem The Air That I Breathewe’re picking as our favourite.
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24. Magazine
After leaving the punk group Buzzcocks in 1977, Howard Devoto created what was one of the first post-punk bands ever, Magazine. Even loved guitarists like Johnny Greenwood and Johnny Marr had massive influences from Magazine. Their debut from 1978 Real Life still slaps today. Ours and everyone else’s top song isShot By Both Sides.
23. Afflecks Palace
Dubbed as ‘Nu Manchester’, one thing you can’t doubt about Afflecks Palace is their massive cult Manc following with fans getting their debut album to no.20 in the UK album charts, peaking at no.3 in the UK vinyl chart and selling out their first ever gig at Band on the Wall. Do yourself a favour and listen to Forever Young.
22. Take That
Say what you want about them, but after being formed in Manchester in 1990, Take That owned the UK pop charts in both the 90s and then again in the 00s. From It Only Takes A Minute, to Rule The World, the band have bangers for days. Of course,Relight My Firewill always be their top tune.
21. Beady Eye
Liam Gallagher – press shot
Liam Gallagher was always going to be above Noel Gallagher on this list. Beady Eye – what a severely underrated band, with even Liam even blaming a lack of coverage for the band’s disbandment. If you never made it around to these listen to The Roller and remember why Manchester loves Liam Gallagher.
20. Porij
Porij (pronounced like porridge) are an electronic-indie band, with each of their songs feeling like a love letter to the Hacienda rave scene and bands which came before like New Order. Porij’s acid beats get us pretty pumped, especially on our favourite track Lose Our Minds.
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19. The Verve
The Verve owned the 90s from their formation in 1990, to their first proper split in 1999. Richard Ashcroft wrote some massive tunes with the band like Lucky Man and The Drugs Don’t Work, but are there any songs more legendary than Bitter Sweet Symphony? A Manc classic.
18. Electronic
We love a supergroup and this Manc one is our favourite. Formed by Bernard Sumner of New Order and guitarist Johnny Marr of The Smiths they released their self-titled debut album in 1991, which featured the absolute banger Getting Away With It.
17. The Charlatans
Even though they formed in the West Midlands, the Tim Burgess-fronted band are Manchester through and through with everyone’s favourite The Only One I Know being one of the best songs hailing from the Madchester era.
16. The 1975
The 1975. Credit: Samuel Bradley
Love or hate them you can’t deny The 1975s global success, with them winning a Brit in 2017. Matty Healy’s tunes are always instant indie-pop classics and tracks like Somebody Else and Chocolate will always take us back to our indie roots. It’s Love Me though that’ll forever get us up off our seats.
15. Courteeners
Nothing goes better with Courteeners debut album St Jude than a hot beer garden and a pint of dark fruits. I can almost taste it. They owned the indie dancefloor then and they still own it now. For the simple fact we’re not 19 anymore we’re picking Summeras our favourite track.
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14. Bee Gees
It’s hard to believe that such a world renowned group like the Bee Gees have their roots in Manchester from the three brothers living in Chorlton at the start of their musical careers. We could’ve put them at number 1 for the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack alone. Our favourite track is You Should Be Dancing.
13. Inspiral Carpets
Inspiral Carpets were absolute key players in the Madchester movement during the late-80s/early-90s. Their 1990 album Life is still a proper Manc classic, but it’s Saturn 5 from Devil Hopping we’re picking as our top track. We love you Clint Boon!
12. Working Men’s Club
In 2020 Working Men’s Club, who formed in Manchester, released their self-titled album and people, including us, went absolutely crazy for it. And rightly so. The band blend post-punk and that classic Manchester acid house sound to make a sound akin to New Order. Give Valleysa listen and you’ll never look back.
11. The Fall
Named the most prolific band of the British post-punk movement The Fall, which was fronted by Manc legend Mark E. Smith, have a massive catalogue of music and our favourite was an easy choice, Totally Wired.
10. Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks. Credit: Facbook
Part of the first-wave of punk bands to hit the music scene in the UK, this Bolton band led the way for punk in Manchester, that of which has not died out yet. Easy pick for top track – Ever Fallen In Love.
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9. Blossoms
Blossoms. Credit: Publicity picture
Ever since they released their self-titled debut album back in 2016, Blossoms have been hard to avoid – and I’m definitely not complaining. Now they have four massive studio albums but it’s still that first one we’ll always keep on coming back to, a true masterpiece! Our top track is Blown Rose.
8. James
Once you get past their great but overplayed songs Laid and Sit Down you’ll find that James has an extensive catalogue filled with absolute bangers and Tim Booth is still out there making albums and touring with James now, accumulating a career which spans 40 years. Our favourite track is Sometimes.
7. Happy Mondays
Shaun Ryder and the band defined a generation. They were there at the right place at the right time. I feel like ecstasy pills should come with a free copy oftheir 1990 album Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches. Even Paul McCartney loved them saying ‘they reminded me of the Beatles in their ‘Strawberry Fields’ phase’. Top track has to be Twenty Four Hour Party People, solely for the fact that no other song can get us geared up for a night out more than this one.
6. Oasis
You probably didn’t expect to see Manchester’s sweethearts this high, did you? I told you this list will ruin Christmas. What can I even say about Oasis that you don’t already know. One of the greatest bands not only in Manchester but the world. They quite literally put Manny on the map. Top song (this was hard) is She’s Electric.
5. The Stone Roses
Arguably one of the greatest debut albums ever recorded. The Stone Roses were the leading force of the Madchester scene and have now become a rite of passage for every young Manc getting into the Manchester indie scene. Track by track that first self-titled album just doesn’t miss and picking a top track was hard but of course, nothing hits better than singing along toI Am The Resurrection at the end of a long boozy night.
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4. New Order
Bluedot Festival. Credit: Jody Hartley
After the death of Ian Curtis no one expected his former band Joy Division to go off and create an electronic post-punk dance band, but they did and it was amazing. They soon became the flagship band for Tony Wilson’s Factory Records and his club The Hacienda, later with their 1983 masterpiece and our top track (obviously) Blue Monday becoming the best-selling 12-inch record of all time.
3. Joy Division
We’re all aware of Joy Division’s HUGE legacy. From the untimely death of Ian Curtis, who is still mourned today, to their incredible debut album Unknown Pleasures, which you still can’t help but not see on t-shirts and posters whenever you take a trip into Northern Quarter.Our top track is Digital.
2. The Smiths
What a band. From Morrissey’s lyrics, to Marr’s guitar, the sound they created was not only loved by Mancs but the world. Whether it’s the highs of Bigmouth Strikes Again or the lows of I Know It’s Over, The Smiths have a song and an album for everyone. Our top track is Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now.
1. 10cc
10cc
Gouldman, Stewart, Goodley and Creme. Four Manc lads who came together and created one of the greatest rock bands the world has ever seen. They birthed Strawberry Studios in Stockport, where massive songs including Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart were recorded. 10cc ruled the 70s from their debut album in ‘73, with three of its four singles getting into the top 10. To their critically acclaimed album The Orginal Soundtrack which features their (and ours) top hit, I’m Not In Love.
Featured Image – Publicity picture / Samuel Bradley
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Pulp at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
Britpop band Pulp is heading over to Manchester for a night of singing along right through to ‘Sunrise’ or until Co-op Live’s curfew.
Jarvis Cocker and co., known more famously as UK cult classic band Pulp, are heading on the road, stopping off at various arenas up and down the country.
Their latest discography addition, their comeback LP, More, just debuted on the UK’s Official Album Charts and in pole position, no less: a very impressive feat that makes that a total of three number ones in their career.
Their eighth album is remarkable in more ways than one, as not only has it become a talking point in the music world, it’s also the band’s first new release in 24 years – an absolute banger as well, by the way.
Cocker and his bandmates are no strangers to the North either, much like our friends over at The Sheff, the Pulp frontman and several members of the lineup, both past and present, are Steel City natives.
As Britpop lovers and fans of the band ourselves, we’re buzzing about their chart-topping return, but no way as proud as their home city.
Pulp gig guide – all the key info you need to know
Pulp’s last visit to Manchester took place at Castlefield Bowl when they played a show as part of the impressive summer music series, Sounds of the City. Fast forward to 2025, and now they’re taking on the region’s biggest indoor entertainment and live music arena.
Let’s all imagine this picture of Jarvis is him checking the road signs on his way to Manchester
Are there tickets left for Pulp at Co-op Live?
If you’re suffering from ‘The Fear’ of not getting your seat ahead of Pulp’s ‘You Deserve More’ tour, there are limited seats for the Co-op Live show in Manchester HERE.
Don’t wait around, though; these won’t be around for long.
And if you fancy feeling all special and setting yourself apart from the rest of the ‘Common People’ for once (not that the mixer isn’t still the best place to be), why not treat yourself to a luxury concert experience thanks to SeatUnique, where you have access to your own private lounge?
Pulp 2025 ‘You Deserve More’ tour setlist
Spike Island
Grown Ups
Slow Jam
Sorted for E’s & Wizz
Disco 2000
F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E
Tina
Farmers Market
This Is Hardcore
Sunrise
Something Changed
The Fear
O.U (Gone, Gone)
59 Lyndhurst Grove
Acrylic Afternoons
Do You Remember the First Time?
Mis-Shapes
Got to Have Love
Babies
Common People
A Sunset
What are the stage times for Pulp in Manchester?
Pulp are set to perform at Co-op Live, Manchester on 21 June.
Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, meaning everyone can stay for the final ‘Slow Jam’ or two without worrying about getting home too late.
Anyone attending can expect the doors to open at 6:30pm with a kick-off time of 7:30pm, which gives you an hour to turn to your friend and ask, “‘Do You Remember the First Time’…we watched Pulp?”
Pulp x Co-op Live afterparty
If you’re not ready go home after the encore and you really do think ‘You Deserve More’, you can always cop yourself a ticket to the afterparty inside Co-op Live’s Backstage Club’ too.
With a DJ set to play indie favourites straight after the show and until late, the party doesn’t stop until you say it does. Tickets are available now.
We recently got to experience it ourselves on our last visit to the arena to watch the one and only Lionel Richie, and it certainly left an impression on us.
We didn’t meet him backstage, but he did call us his ‘cousins’…
How to get to the venue
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre, and until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes via the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Massive music-filled takeover planned as 1.3m tourists descend on Manchester this summer
Emily Sergeant
Plans for a massive music-filled takeover of Manchester have been announced ahead of 1.3 million tourists descending on the city centre this summer.
It comes as no surprise that this summer is set to be a big one for music in Manchester.
Parklife weekend has just been and gone, but in 2025, the fun is far from over, as there will be countless global megastars taking to the stage at some of our city’s biggest music venues, such as Co-op Live and the AO Arena, over the next couple of months, and there’s also the Sounds of the City concert series to look forward to at Castlefield Bowl, as well as a handful of Wythenshawe Park gigs.
Oh, and in case you’ve been living under a rock, there’s also the small matter of Manchester’s most legendary band, Oasis, reforming for a run of gigs at Heaton Park next month too.
Sure, Manchester is big for music all year round, but as you can imagine, 2025 is set to be bigger than ever, which is why Manchester City Council has now announced its very-own musical takeover called MCR Live ’25 to help celebrate what promises to be a sensational summer of sound.
On the setlist: 🎸 A star-studded guitar trail, courtesy of Wild In Art 🛍️ Pop-up markets to explore 🎡 A festival bar to soak up the summer vibes 🥳 And much, much more!
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) June 12, 2025
There’ll be everything from a pop-up bar in Piccadilly Gardens with surprise live acts doing sets, and markets in St Peter’s Square selling vinyl and vintage goods, to block parties in the Northern Quarter, and the already-announced Music for the Senses art trail dotted around all the well-known city centre sights.
The Piccadilly Gardens space, known as The Hub, is designed to be the ‘basecamp’ for Manchester’s music tourists, and will be an easy place to drink at the bar, sample some of the best street food in the North West, catch surprise acts and DJ takeovers on the outdoor stage, or bring the family along during the day for some music-inspired fun.
If you head to St Peter’s Square, this is where you’ll find the pop-up markets running alongside Oasis’ legendary homecoming gigs, which will bring together local makers, artists, and indie traders for a celebration of sound, style, and city pride.
A massive music-filled takeover is planned as 1.3m tourists descend on Manchester this summer / Credit: David Oates Photography
Several ‘block parties’ will be taking over the Northern Quarter on selected Fridays and Saturdays in both June and July, so it’s your chance to head on down to Edge Street and Thomas Street and take in all the action happening over two stages – with DJs and live acts playing throughout the day.
There’ll also even be an ‘Oasis Week’ at Manchester Central Library, with legendary Supernova live sets, Gallagher look-alike competitions, a Big Oasis Quiz, Supersonic film screenings, and so much more.
But the stand-out event has to be the art trail, which is titled Music for the Senses: an art arrangement for a musical city, running across the city centre from early July until the end of August, and is a collaboration between global art producer Wild in Art – the creators of the famous Bee in the City project – and the Council.
There’ll be pop-up bars, music markets, block parties, and loads more dotted around the city / Credit: MCC
At the heart of the exhibition will be an interactive installation called ‘Guitar Street’ created by Manchester artist Liam Hopkins, known as Lazerian, which will lovingly repurpose 100+ broken guitars, all donated by members of the public.
“We’re already known the world over for the music we make and for our unrivalled music scene, and this summer we’re going all out with MCR Live ’25 to harness the moment and celebrate the massive contribution that music makes to the city,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the leader of Manchester City Council.
You can find out everything happening for MCR Live ’25 on the VisitManchester website here.
Of course, the annual Manchester Day celebrations will also be back and taking over the city centre’s main streets on Saturday 26 July too, and this year, that’s also music-themed… because why wouldn’t it be? It makes sense.
Dean Hadcock -
27th October 2023 
