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
Audio
Smirnoff teams up with Co-op Live for new Summer Series
Danny Jones
Smirnoff, the world’s number-one vodka brand not to mention a leading force in wider music culture, has officially partnered with Co-op Live to mark the opening of the new state-of-the-art venue and its debut calendar.
The partnership will see the new ‘Co-op Live Summer Series presented by Smirnoff‘ run until 13 September 2024. As part of the collaboration, the vodka brand will surprise and delight guests visiting the venue with great-tasting drinks and the ultimate night out, with VIP packages and more.
Co-op Live has curated a stacked lineup of popular bands, singers and entertainers, including some of the biggest names in music, who are set to perform at Europe’s largest indoor entertainment venue.
Starting the Summer Series off with a bang presented by Smirnoff celebrations, the brand is offering friends a chance to win tickets to see their favourite stars perform live, hosted by celebrities including TV favourite Callum Jones, as well as social media and makeup virtuoso Mitchell Halliday.
Alongside their hosts, winners will enjoy access to the exclusive Decibel Club and enjoy the concert from a private suite hosted by Smirnoff, fully immersing themselves in the ultimate venue experience. Competition details (18+ only) can be found on Smirnoff’s Instagram page.
Attendees at the 23,500 capacity Co-op Live arena will have the opportunity to choose from a range of Smirnoff favourites, including Smirnoff Raspberry Crush, Smirnoff Mango and Passionfruit Twist, Smirnoff No.21 and more.
These drinks will be available to guests over 18 at bars and grab-and-go stations throughout the venue, including the Smirnoff Founders Bar. Guests can also try the newest addition to the range, Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind, at the bar located on the concourse – fingers crossed there’ll be plenty of sun too.
There is a unique must-try experience for all gig attendees: a 360-photo booth on Level 3, where guests can use fun props to snap the best and most high-end selfies they’ve ever taken, and have a chance to get their tickets upgraded that evening.
Operated by holding group Diaego, the aim of Smirnoff’s Co-op Live Summer Series is to reflect the vodka brand’s ongoing commitment to making music more accessible to everyone.
Smirnoff recently rolled out its ‘WE DO US’ campaign, activated through a series of initiatives that aim to reignite social connections and lower barriers to socialising.
Tyler Monk, Smirnoff Brand Manager at Diageo Great Britain, said: “Smirnoff is on a mission to make music more accessible and create unforgettable experiences that bring people together through live music. We’re proud to partner with Co-op Live and be part of Manchester’s vibrant music scene, offering great-tasting Smirnoff drinks, music, and unique experiences to a wider audience.”
Check the website for the full schedule of events at Co-op Live HERE.
Featured Images — Smirnoff (supplied)/The Manc Group
Audio
Tramlines Festival 2024 – tickets, stage times, drinks prices and everything you need to know
Emily Johnson
Tramlines Festival returns to Hillsborough Park for another year and we here at Audio North cannot wait to walk back out onto that field.
Between Friday, 26 July and Sunday, 28 July 2024, festival-goers will have the opportunity to watch some of the UK’s best musical talent and discover new acts on the smaller stages in the musical city of Sheffield.
The line-up is stacked this year, with Paolo Nutini, Jamie T and Snow Patrol taking the headline slots over the weekend, alongside huge acts such as Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Bombay Bicycle Club, Miles Kane, The Human League, Bombay Bicycle Club and Tom Grennan.
Over 100 acts are expected to perform at Tramlines 2024 across five stages, with an array of genres from indie rock, pop, punk, hip hop, comedy and more. There’s definitely something for everyone.
Credit: Tramlines (supplied)
Tramlines lineup 2024
Friday 26 July
Kicking off the weekend and setting the bar high, Paolo Nutini is set to headline the main stage on Friday 26 July. With huge hits like ‘New Shoes’, ‘Candy’ and all-time favourite ‘Last Request’, the soulful Scot knows how to get a crowd going.
Bombay Bicycle Club will also perform in the evening, the perfect band to play as the sunsets over Hillsborough Park. With over six albums to pick from, we’re guaranteed some bangers.
The full line-up for Friday includes Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Miles Kane, Coach Party, The View, The Charlatans, SOFT PLAY, The Mysterines, Dylan John Thomas, Mitch Santiago, Lucy Beaumont, Hannah Rowe and Matilda Shakes.
The Sarah Nulty stage schedule is as follows:
Paolo Nutini: 8.15pm-10.15pm
Bombay Bicycle Club: 6.15pm-7.15pm
Sophie Ellis-Bextor: 4.45pm-5.30pm
Miles Kane: 3.50pm-4.15pm
Coach Party: 2.30pm-3pm
The View (Special Guests): 1.15pm-2pm
Bedroom High Club: 12.15pm-12.45pm
Credit: Supplied
Saturday 27 July
The excitement continues over the weekend with indie legend Jamie T taking the headline slot Saturday night, with the crowd belting out British classics of ‘Sheila’, ‘Zombie’, and ‘Sticks n Stones’. We’re proper buzzing for it. The crowd will be warmed up with Tom Grennan and Scottish indie rock band, The Snuts.
The Sarah Nulty stage schedule is as follows:
Jamie T: 8.45pm-10.15pm
Tom Grennan: 6.45pm-7.45pm
The Snuts: 5pm-5.45pm
Sprints: 3.45pm-4.15pm
Nieve Ella: 2.45pm-3.15pm
Everly Pregnant Brothers: 1.15pm-2.15pm
The Leadmill Studio Orchestra: 12.15pm-12.45pm
Credit: Supplied
Sunday 28 July
Snow Patrol will close the festival Sunday night, with tear-jerking tunes like ‘Chasing Cars’ and ‘Open Your Eyes’. But before the Irish trio take the stage and switch up the genre, The Human League will perform before Example will get the crowd partying with his massive hits like ‘Kickstarts’ and ‘Changed the Way You Kiss Me’.
The Sarah Nulty stage schedule is as follows:
Snow Patrol: 7.45pm-9.15pm
The Human League: 5.45pm-6.45pm
Example: 4pm-4.45pm
Flowerovlove: 2.45pm-3.15pm
Maximo Park (Special Guests): 1.30pm-2.15pm
Phillipa Zawe: 12.30pm-1pm
Credit: Supplied
Tickets
There are still some tickets are still available on the Tramlines website. The gates open at 12pm each day, with the last entry being at 19:30.
Resale tickets for the full weekend are set at £140; Friday will cost £65, Saturday £45 and Sunday £55 and there are lots of affordable prices for kids too.
You can see the full list of prices and grab yours HERE.
Tramlines Festival map and how to get there
Arriving by train
For people travelling into the city from elsewhere, Sheffield is easily accessible from all across the country, with regular trains running around the region and one central station. From there, the festival site is accessible via taxi, bus or tram, and only takes approximately 15 mins.
The tramlines to, well, Tramlines…
As the name would suggest, the festival is pretty much built for public transport and Sheffield’s great tram links mean it’s really easy to get there. Supertram has all the info you need for your weekend travel and can find all the info and ticket prices by downloading the TSY Mobile app.
You can catch these from the following key locations:
Yellow Route
Middlewood Park & Ride
The Cathedral
Meadowhall Park & Ride
Use Hillsborough Park stop and head for the Middlewood Rd Entrance.
Blue Route
Malin Bridge Park & Ride
The Cathedral
Sheffield Railway Station / Hallam University
Halfway Park & Ride
Use Hillsborough stop and head for the Middlewood Rd Entrance.
Supertram services will run every six minutes from the city centre to Hillsborough Park, which is then just a short two-minute walk to the festival.
As for when you’re leaving, it’s worth noting that the Hillsborough Park and Hillsborough Corner stops will be closed after the show, so you will have access to the Leppings Lane stop from within the park after the headliners have finished. You can view the full list of stops or plan your journey HERE.
There are two entrances: Penistone Rd, S6 2AN OR Middlewood Rd, S6 4HA
By bus
Just like the rail, Sheffield also has great bus links in Sheffield that can help you get to and from Tramlines. There is a dedicated Hillsborough Park bus stop but do keep in mind that there will likely be some disruptions/delays when leaving the festival. You can plan your journey via Travel South Yorkshire.
By car
Given that Tramlines is a Metropolitan festival and built for public transport, organisers strongly recommend not driving to the event given the amount of congestion and in an effort to reduce the environmental impact over the weekend; however, you can find out more about parking etc. HERE.
As a pedestrian
In all honesty, once you’re in Sheffield, one of the easiest ways to get to Tramlines is simply on foot after hopping on a tram or a bus, but should you also want to cycle to the festival, there is a bike rack at the Penistone Road entrance (S6 2AN).
Food and drink – vendors and prices
With all that partying you will definitely build up an appetite. Luckily, Tramlines has tons of food vendors for you to choose from, including gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options.
With over 40,000 festival goers to feed, there are plenty of options to keep you full, from Proove Pizza, ‘As Tha Got Beef and Get Wurst just to name a few.
As for drink prices this year, a pint at Tramlines will cost you anywhere from £6-£7 depending on what beer you go for, whereas cans of cider start from £6.25; wine starts from £10 for English sparkling white wine, with rose and pinot grigio costing £16 for a half or £32 for a full bottle.
Sprit and mixers deals start from £7.25 with the option to double up for £2.50 and you can push all the way up to £9.25 for an official Red Bull cocktail. Meanwhile, your shots are a fiver (barring jager bombs set at £6.50), soft drinks start from £2.90 and water is £2.70.
And with that, this should be just about all you need to know ahead of Tramlines 2024 – all that’s left to do is go and enjoy yourselves, and The Sheff crew will see you there!
Oh, and make sure to keep your eyes over on the brand-new Audio North for all the best coming out of this year’s festival. It’ll look a little something like this…