Manchester is a hub for music makers and music lovers; including the TLC team. Many bands to have emerged from the city need no introduction. The Hollies, Herman’s Hermits, The Smiths, Simply Red, New Order, Joy Division, Happy Mondays, Oasis, The Stone Roses, Take That, Elbow, The 1975. The list goes on. Live music lies at the centre of so many successful TLC events. We value each musician. And the unique atmosphere that live music creates. So here, the team have chosen what they feel is Manchester’s best five live music venues which are perfect for a celebration with friends, or an evening team building treat for a corporate event.
AO ARENA
Any list of Manchester’s Best Five Live Music Venues has to include this. It has dealt with terrorist tragedy, and it’s music was a uniting factor across the city at that time. Its good vibes echoed across the world; and still do. At the re-opening concert comic Peter Kay said: “There’s been a lot of joy in this room over the years, including the night of 22 May, right up until the terrorist attack. These last four months have been incredibly painful. Horrendous is putting it mildly. But that’s why you’re here. Because we can’t let terrorists win. And I know the memories of that night will stay with us for a very long time but we’ve got to remember the good times and let them outweigh the bad.”
Manchester Arena is one of the busiest and best known concert venues in the world, and features the best of UK and international music artists. Everything from 50 Cent to Donny Osmond, Anne Marie, Tom Jones, The 1975, Rick Astley, Simple Minds and James Blunt.
O2 APOLLO
There is something both grand and intimate at the same time about a gig at the O2 Apollo on Stockport Road. The venue is an Art Deco style, Grade II listed building, which started life in the 1930s as a cinema. Since 1970 its been strictly a live entertainment venue. There can’t be many Mancunians who don’t have memories here! In addition, the venue boasts a back-catalogue of acts to match any rock ‘n’ roll hall of fame. From The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to David Bowie and The Who, Prince and Bruce Springsteen to Paul Simon, on what could be his final tour last year. The O2 Apollo even has a sentimental attachment for Morrissey, who came back to the city and chose to celebrate his 50th birthday with two gigs here.
The popular venue continues to attract some of the biggest names in rock, pop and comedy.
ALBERT HALL
The Albert Hall is another of the city’s hidden architectural gems to be given new life as a live music venue in recent years. The Grade II listed, Wesleyan chapel on Peter Street, still has its beautiful, stained-glass windows, but has sat closed to the public for 40 years. Its potential was spotted by the current owners, who also run some of the city’s other popular live music venues, Gorilla and The Deaf Institute. The atmospheric venue, attracts some big names looking for a unique and intimate setting.
BRIDGEWATER HALL
Manchester’s magnificent concert venue, The Bridgewater Hall, is home to not one but three orchestras in the city. The Hallé, the BBC Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata. The 2400 seat, auditorium was purpose built in the 1990s when it was clear that the Free Trade Hall could no longer produce the quality of acoustic excellence required of an internationally-renowned concert venue. A striking feature of the hall is its 5500-strong, pipe organ. This completely covers the rear wall. In addition to its orchestral programme, which includes more than 250 concerts a year from the Halle alone, the venue also hosts a range of diverse acts.
MATT AND PHREDS
For those looking to combine live music with a late-night lounge, Matt and Phreds in Manchester’s trendy Northern Quarter is one of the city’s hidden gems. You can check out the website to see what’s coming up. The wonderful thing about this venue is there is no need to book ahead though. The venue has live music six nights a week. The venue built its reputation as a jazz club and past acts include Sneaky, Kit Downes, Marius Neset, Manu Delago, the Dagda Quartet, Jamie Cullum and Adele. Today its musical genres have widened to encompass Folk, Electro, Salsa, Swing, World and Ska. A visit is a must for music lovers to the city, but if you’re lucky enough to look under 26 remember to bring along ID, because Matt and Phreds is a strictly over 18s venue.
I hope our round-up of Manchester’s Best Five Live Music Venues has helped you plan a night of music and entertainment in our great city. Enjoy!
AFTER HOURS
Dinner, concert and that lively post-gig analysis amongst friends and family. It’s the perfect way to round off a live concert. So, here’s our pick of top private dining spaces to consider – all perfect for hosting small social gatherings or an exclusive corporate occasion: Love dining out? Here’s Manchester Top Private Dining Rooms
