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
13 Going On 30 The Musical at Manchester Opera House – a fresh take on the nostalgic smash hit
Amy Williams
13 Going On 30 The Musical made its world premiere in Manchester last night, and it’s a night to relive a childhood favourite film, done so brilliantly.
With the original writers, Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, as part of the team plus Andy Fickman, who has screen hits such as She’s The Man and musicals including Heathers, you know from the off this is going to be good.
If you don’t know the story, it begins with a young (13 year old) Jenna and Matty, with Jenna wishing she was one of the popular girls, and instead ‘thirty, flirty and thriving’. The next minute, she wakes up on her 30th birthday.
She got everything she dreamed of – prom queen, editor of a popular fashion magazine, and the dream guy – but lost her best friend, family and became someone she didn’t quite like.
Can she turn it around and get back to the person she once was?
I loved this film when I was closer to 13, and now watching it premiere on the stage a bit closer to 30 myself, it’s still just as brilliant.
13 Going On 30 The Musical in Manchester13 Going On 30 The Musical in ManchesterCredit: Pamela Raith Photography
There’s an original score throughout it too (with the exception of, of course, Thriller – and the whole dance routine to go with it too might I add).
Staring Lucie Jones as Jenna Rink – with previous roles on Les Miserables, Ghost The Musical and Wicked – and David Hunter as Matt Flamhaff, their voices were absolutely incredible. A special mention too to young Matt, with brilliant vocals.
13 Going On 30 The Musical brought back the Thriller dance, the famous multicoloured dress and the need to go back instantly and rewatch the film again (and make my mum watch it, who hadn’t seen the film previously but still loved the show just as much).
13 Going On 30 The Musical is on at the Opera House Manchester until Sunday 12 October and you can still grab tickets here.
Beloved musical Dirty Dancing is returning to the stage in Manchester next year
Emily Sergeant
Ready to have the time of your life? Dirty Dancing is returning to Manchester next year.
Based off the iconic 1987 film of the same name, audiences are being told to expect this new production of Dirty Dancing to explode onto the stage with heart-pounding music, breathtaking emotion, and of course, sensationally sexy dancing when it heads out on a grand tour of the UK and Ireland in 2026.
The popular stage production will, once again, come to life before your very eyes with what is already being described as a ‘fantastic, emotional and triumphant’ live show.
If you’ve never seen the film, or you haven’t been lucky enough to watch Dirty Dancing on stage before, this worldwide smash hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny.
Beloved musical Dirty Dancing is returning to the stage in Manchester next year / Credit: Mark Senior
Already seen by millions across the globe, you’ll get to watch these two ‘fiercely-independent’ young spirits from different worlds come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives.
The musical features the hit songs ‘Hungry Eyes’, ‘Hey! Baby’, ‘Do You Love Me?’, and the heart stopping ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’.
The iconic show will first be returning to the stage with a preview at Milton Keynes Theatre on 27 August 2026 before it heads out on a tour of the UK and Ireland, and arrives at Manchester’s legendary Palace Theatre from Tuesday 29 September to Saturday 3 October 2026.
Tickets officially go on sale this week / Credit: Dirty Dancing (via X)
Once again, the show will be directed by Federico Bellone and choreographed by Austin Wilks, with the producer being Karl Sydow.
“We can’t wait to bring this amazing show back to audiences across the UK and Ireland,” Karl Sydow said. “Now more than ever, theatre needs the excitement and joy that Dirty Dancing brings – you’ll have the time of your life.”
Tickets to Dirty Dancing at Manchester Palace Theatre from Tuesday 29 September to Saturday 3 October 2026 officially go on sale this morning at 10am.
Hannah Starkie -
25th June 2021 
