Andy Burnham has revealed his 13 favourite albums and some Manc classics are included

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham indie DJ set Band on the Wall tickets

Music lovers, gather round… fancy finding out what the could-be Prime Minister’s favourite albums of all time are?

Well, we’ve uncovered a list of 13 of them, and there’s some proper Manc classics included.

Right, in case you need bringing up to speed, let’s just get the politics bit out of the way first. After it was announced last month that Andy Burnham had clinched the victory in the crucial Makerfield by-election, winning 24,927 votes (54.8% vote share) and a majority of 9,231, he then went onto announce his intention to run for Labour Party leader, and therefore Prime Minister, after Keir Starmer confirmed he would be stepping down.

This week, Burnham delivered his first speech as part of his ongoing campaign, addressing how he plans to take the country in a ‘new direction’.

He declared that he wants to bring the ‘Greater Manchester way’ to Westminster… but who knew that meant his music taste too?

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Andy Burnham wants to bring the ‘Greater Manchester way’ to Westminster

Uncovered from a couple of years ago now on Quietus – an independent music and cultural criticism online publication – Andy Burnham revealed his 13 favourite albums as part of their ‘Baker’s Dozen’ series, and alongside some famous critically-acclaimed records, there are also a few unexpected gems in the mix, and (of course) some Manchester classics too.

Picking 13 albums for this was apparently ‘really hard’, Burnham said, and not because it’s a lot to choose but because ‘it’s just so few’.

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“A disclaimer” he went on to add, “these are not necessarily my favourite 13 albums, but instead these are the ones that had an impact on my life or were significant moments in my life. I tried to use that as my guide.”

On the list you’ll find, in no particular order, selections from some iconic bands like The Beatles’ popular compilation album 1962-1966 – also known as ‘The Red Album’ – Radiohead’s 1997 project OK Computer, often considered to be their magnum opus, and The Strokes’ debut album Is This It?

You’ll also find some of the most revered albums by Manchester bands on there, including The Stone Roses’ self-titled album, The Smiths’ Hatful of Hollow, and New Order’s Power, Corruption and Lies.

Andy Burnham’s 13 Favourite Albums

  1. The Beatles – 1962-1966 (The Red Album)
  2. The Smiths – Hatful of Hollow
  3. The Pogues – Rum, Sodomy And The Lash
  4. The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses
  5. The Wedding Present – George Best
  6. The La’s – The La’s
  7. Billy Bragg – William Bloke
  8. Radiohead – OK Computer
  9. Doves – The Last Broadcast
  10. The Strokes – Is This It?
  11. Big Thief – Capacity
  12. New Order – Power, Corruption and Lies
  13. Courteeners – Falcon
Andy Burnham has revealed his 13 favourite albums of all time / Credit: Wikimedia Commons

It’s not just the so-called legendary Greater Manchester bands that have been given a shoutout on Burnham’s lineup, as there’s also the inclusion of Courteeners’ Falcon and Doves’ The Last Broadcast.

As well as the more-expected picks, there’s even a couple underrated choices on his list too like The Wedding Present’s George Best, and Big Thief’s Capacity – the latter of which also happens to be one of my personal favourite albums of all time too, and has one of my favourite songs on there as well, so I have to say, I was very (pleasantly) surprised to see it included.

For each of his thirteen picks, Burnham has explained why he’s chosen the albums, where he was in life when he discovered them, and what they all mean to him.

One particularly interesting anecdote he told in relation to Courteeners’ Falcon, Burnham wrote: “There’s a song on there called ‘Take Over The World. Early on in my failed Labour leadership campaign in 2015, I went to see them with my mate Steve Rotherham, now mayor of Liverpool City Region but then my campaign manager.

“We went to see them at Heaton Park, we were in the early days of this campaign where I thought we might win, and we were arm in arm belting out ‘Take Over the World’ together.

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“The Sunday after it, I was on the Marr show and I tweeted ‘I’m only a paper boy from the North West / but I can scrub up well in my Sunday best.’

“It was the anthem of that campaign. I was a paper boy, and I am from the North West. Sadly, I didn’t go on to take over the world.”

Will he take over the world this time though? Only time will tell.

Featured Image – Shaun Peckham (Supplied via GMCA)

A brand-new live music series with big Northern names is coming to Blackpool

Danny Jones Danny Jones New Blackpool Live music festival gig series 2026

An all-new live music series is coming to the beloved Northern seaside town of Blackpool, and there’s already plenty of big regional names booked for the inaugural slate of gigs.

What’s more, you won’t have to wait long for it to get underway, as the first date is this July.

Being organised by well-known local record label and promoters Scruff of the Neck, the brand-new multi-date event marks its debut edition through the summer and all the way into autumn.

Announcing a raft of 27 different acts in total, the inaugural Blackpool Live looks set to be a belter – and we’d be very surprised if this first year isn’t the start of something very special…

As you can see, already confirmed for Blackpool Live 2026 are the likes of Feeder, Doves, The Fratellis, resurgent indie landfill throwbacks, The Enemy, Happy Mondays, The Pigeon Detectives, and even Oasis’ reunion support stars, Cast.

But even the so-called ‘warm up’ slots for each day of shows are filled with plenty of popular up-and-coming talent, as well as already established headliners in their own right.

From youngsters like our very own Alex Spencer, as well as fellow Mancs IST IST and Slow Readers Club (just to name a handful) to the likes of We Are Scientists, Inspiral Carpets, The Futureheads and more, the maiden live music crowds set to descend on Blackpool’s Winter Gardens are set to be spoilt.

Spread across multiple stages over the next few months, this fledgling event is not only a celebration of bands and artists from across the North, but a great way to spotlight grassroots music venues and the town in general.

Designed by illustrator Rod Hunt, you can see a map giving you an overview of key sites that will be partnering with the festival down below.

blackpool live festival site map winter gardens
Credit: Rod Hunt (supplied)

Inspired by a trip founder Mark Lippmann and some friends took back in 2006 – travelling all the way from Hazel Grove in Stockport to see Arctic Monkeys at the historic Empress Ballroom – this fresh live music promotion is a story two decades in the making.

After an initial smaller outing with just three groups on the bill last year, 2026 is the first proper iteration of the Blackpool Live vision.

Speaking ahead of its launch, Lippmann said in a statement: “People always ask what the best gig you’ve ever been to was, but when you think about it, you remember so much more than the band. You remember who you were with, what you did before the show and how the whole day felt.

“Blackpool is uniquely placed to create those experiences. You can jump on a train, spend the day by the sea and finish it watching incredible live music in one of Britain’s most iconic venues. That’s what Blackpool Live is really about.”

You can find out more information about all of the headline shows and grab your tickets right HERE.

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Featured Images — Press shots (Sonic PR)/Rob M Whittaker (via WikiCommons)/WHP (supplied)

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