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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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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Moovin’ Festival 2024 – full line-up announced for Stockport’s much-loved festival as it hits major milestone
Daisy Jackson
Stockport’s proudly independent Moovin’ Festival is back on the farm this summer for its 10th anniversary edition.
The beloved local music event, which takes over Whitebottom Farm in the picturesque Etherow Country Park, has announced its full line-up for this year’s celebration.
Moovin’ Festival 2024 will include headline performances from Leftfield and legendary DJ Laurent Garnier, plus Sampa the Great, Erol Alkan, Crazy P, David Rodigan, Souls of Mischief, Mr Scruff, Greg Wilson, Jaguar Skills, Congo Natty, Ray Keith, DRS, Nicky Blackmarket, Nubiyan Twist, K Klass and many more innovative bands, DJs and live acts from across the spectrum.
Taking place over the August bank holiday weekend, Moovin will also bring together up and coming local performers and events like circus performances, yoga sessions, holistic treatments, and ethically sourced cuisine.
Widely considered one of the region’s best music events, Moovin has gone from being ‘Manchester’s best kept secret’ to a staple in the calendar every year.
The festival pitches itself as an ‘exceptional celebration of sonic brilliance, eclectic music, and quirkiness, set in a beautiful and intimate environment’.
The packed line-up will take places in the stunning surroundings of the eco-friendly Whitebottom Farm, where spaces to be discovered include a hidden oasis adorned with lush trees, serene lakes, and a captivating gorge plus stages like the iconic Barn Stage, a spacious cow shed with cosy hay bales for relaxation.
The ‘adult playground of music and magic’ features state-of-the-art sound systems and a relaxed ambiance.
French techno legend and scene hero Laurent Garnier will be among the headliners – a rare chance to catch this pioneering artist who isn’t frequently touring these days.
He will be joined by Leftfield, fellow icons in the scene who have put out seminal albums, lay down heavy techno beats and have endless classic hits in their arsenal.
Iconic hip-hop group Souls of Mischief and reggae legend David Rodigan, along with Afro beats pioneer and global star Sampa The Great are also on the bill for Moovin’ 2024.
Moovin regular and Hacienda legend Graeme Park makes a welcome return to celebrate 40 years in the scene, Congo Natty celebrates 30 years as a pioneer of the jungle revolution, Erol Alkan brings his raucous mix of indie dance sounds, Crazy P will play a DJ set that explores all forms of disco, and Prince Fatty & Horseman will lay down their dub sounds.
The line-up continues with the captivating sounds of Nubiyan Twist, the infectious beats of K Klass, and the mesmerising performance artistry of Oh My God It’s the Church and their unique gospel sound.
Dub FX is set to deliver an electrifying performance that will keep the crowd moving, while Moovin residents DJ Paulette, Mr. Scruff, Krafty Kuts, Greg Wilson, and Jaguar Skills are back to showcase their unparalleled talents on the turntables as they traverse the world of disco, funk, hip hop, breaks, soul, jazz, and plenty in between.
Fans of drum & bass and jungle music are in for a treat once more with heavyweight offerings from DRS, Ray Keith, DJ Randall, Nicky Blackmarket, Mark XTC, and many more.
DJ Paulette says: “Whenever I get to play Moovin Festival it’s a highlight of my festival calendar. As soon as I see the waterfall I feel like I’m home.The crowd is just beautiful and tech energy is electric.”
Groove Armada said: “At the bottom of a tree lined valley, a hay barn with a fat sound-system. A freewheeling crowd, no VIP red ropes, no hassle , just music and good vibes. 90s free party? No its the brilliant Moovin’ festival.”
And Graeme Park commented: “I absolutely adore DJing at Moovin’. It’s truly a unique and magical experience with totally incredible vibes!”
A guide to the brand-new Co-op Live Arena: drinks prices, how to get there, capacity and more
Danny Jones
The brand spanking new Co-op Live Arena finally opens this week and while it might be a touch later than expected, it’s still a huge deal for Manchester and the region as a whole.
While the inaugural pair of shows by British comedy legend Peter Kay might have been postponed due to unexpected power supply problems, that’s exactly what test events are for and Co-Op Live is still due to open its doors to the public later this Saturday as they welcome The Black Keys.
Boasting a jam-packed and ambitious programme already, with shows lined up well into 2025, there’s a lot to take in and as always with new venues, it can be helpful to know all the important details before your first visit – and we’re all in that boat in this case.
But don’t worry, we’ve got you sorted with a whirlwind guide to the Co-op Live.
Everything you need to know about Co-op Live Manchester
Let’s start with why everyone’s getting so excited. Well not only is it going to become the UK’s biggest indoor entertainment venue and one of the biggest in Europe full stop, boasting a maximum capacity of 23,500 people but, like the newly opened Aviva Studios, it’s also set to bring huge revenue into the city.
All told, the total cost of the venue has clocked at approximately £365 million, making it one of the most expensive buildings to ever be erected in the region.
Attracting not only huge artists, comedians and other live acts but now even the likes of the UFC later this year, it really is poised to be an all-purpose entertainment space.
It's official, the @ufc is finally coming back to Manchester! 👊
So who exactly is behind this huge new addition to the city? Well, there are a few big names involved, first and foremost the City Football Group (yes that one – they are neighbours after all).
Man City owner and UAE royal Sheikh Mansour has put forward the lion’s share along with the Oakview Music Group, co-founded by American music mogul and ex-Ticketmaster CEO, Irving Azoff.
Thirdly, another key investor who has played a big role in the marketing for Co-op Live, in case you haven’t already seen him in the promos, is Harry Styles.
Putting in an undisclosed amount into the building as a minority equity shareholder along with Emma Spring, co-director of his record label Erskine Records, Emma Spring, his brand alone is set to help rake in big sums for the venue.
We know that you've been waiting to hear from him…
The former One Direction star speaks ahead of Co-op Live opening to the public.
Those drink prices…
Yep, a lot of you will have surely heard about them already and if you haven’t about Co-op Live’s drinks prices yet, you might want to sit down for this one.
As confirmed by many accounts on social media, the cheapest pints available at the flashy new arena are £8.35 for a Grolsch, with Guinness, Asahi and Salfordian brewers Seven Brothers‘ IPA all setting you back £8.95. Double pints are priced at £16.35 and £17.45.
If you’re looking to save money with bottles or cans, you’ll still be paying around seven quid and wine will cost you £8.95 or £9.25 for 187ml or 200ml servings, respectively. A bottle of vino clocks in at £35 and sprits range anywhere between £9.50 and a whopping £17.40 for a tequila. Yikes.
You’re better off sticking to a soft drink at £4.80 for a pint and that way you can still save money in case you need a bite to eat, as pies are £8.25 and you’ll have to cough up £11.50 if you want a burger. We’ll let you draw your own conclusions on this front, though we’re sure we could make an educated guess.
Seating chart and venue map
Seated for Peter KayStanding and seated for Olivia RodrigoCredit: Ticketmaster
You’ll find the typical arrangement for seated events and standing gigs above but, like most modern event spaces like this, the ‘top-in-class’ venue will likely be able to shuffle into different configurations where needed.
As you can see, there a three main tiers – the ground floor standing area in the lower bowl, level one seating and the upper tier – and there are a total of 32 bars, restaurants and various lounges wrapped into the entire complex.
When it comes to how you get into the arena itself, guests are encouraged to consult their gate (A-G) allocation through their tickets on the dedicated Co-op Live app, which also includes all info regarding shows and the latest announcements from the venue.
Here’s a wider look at the lay of the land:
A rough guide to getting around Co-op Live (Credit: Supplied)
How to get to Co-op Live, parking and more
Tram
Now, as for how you’ll get to shows at Co-op Live, luckily 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 Campus stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
If you want to take another new and improved arm of the Bee Network public transport system, not only is there a whole host of routes that drop you off close to the venue but there’ll also be a free shuttle bus from the city centre to and from events between 20 April-30 June 2024.
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.
Better still, as part of Manchester City Council and TfGM embracing the new addition to the skyline, they’re also helping cover the costs of people’s journeys when using public transport.
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue but this must be pre-booked ahead of time. Parking will be released up to 4 weeks before the event 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 Etihad Campus 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, it’s also just 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.
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Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the boke 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.
It's official, the @ufc is finally coming back to Manchester! 👊
While times will obviously change depending on the show, you can expect doors to open around the standard window between 6-7pm.
That being said, the venue is urging visitors to arrive at evening events in the main bowl no later than 9pm. As for curfew, Co-op Live gigs are due to finish by 11pm unless otherwise stated.
Accessibility info
One thing they’re taking very seriously at the Co-op Live is accessibility and after teaming up with disability charity Attitude Is Everything, you can find a full guide to access the arena HERE.
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Having installed lowered service counters, step-free access to all floors, a designated respite room, support for assistance dogs, hearing loops for those with aids/implants, ambulant seating and plenty more, they’ve got it covered so all you have to do is come along and enjoy the show.
And that just about wraps up everything we can think when it comes to what you need to know ahead of Co-op Live’s grand opening at the end of this month.
It’s set to be a world-leading venue and we can’t wait to see it lit up in its full glory when the first acts roll through the doors of big shiny black box this weekend.
Speaking of, once the action is underway, there’ll be a lot of acts coming thick and fast. It’s a new era for Manchester’s live music and entertainment scene.