W: Meg Glover

Try as you might, although we’re not sure why you would want to, you can’t escape the music in Manchester. Ingrained in the going-out culture across the many pubs, clubs and bars, there is a clear patriotism of the arts.

And with the next two years of the Brits being held at the Co-op Live, the city has claimed, and is continuing to claim, a large part of the UK’s music scene in the north. Even ranking second on Accor’s list of best European cities for music, just behind Berlin. 

The Delights by Charlie Barclay Harris

‘ I think it’s a melting pot of culture that we’re lucky enough to have. We’re not just exposed to British music but music from all over the world, and that’s really special,”

Leo from Delights.

So as the Gallaghers reunite to play several dates at Heaton Park, and Morrissey having recently played his homecoming gig, the city’s superstars are far from removed. But it’s not just the culturally embedded glory days of Oasis or The Smiths that keeps the scene alive.

While best-known for the critically acclaimed legends who have reigned supreme in the city for decades, it’s their influence on the music scene that has inspired a whole new generation of Mancunian bands. And they are the ones to watch.

Thanks to the band kids, gig-goers and ravers of the 2020s the Manchester music scene has been dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century. And gone are the days of the Haçienda – much to their parents’ dismay, with rave culture manifesting itself in the likes of Warehouse Project and smaller ‘edgier’ events. While uber-indie kids frequent the sticky floors of clubs, and attend gigs in one of the city’s many grassroots venues.

And despite being born this side of the 2000s, it’s hard not to be inspired by the music they grew up listening to, in the city they were raised in.

Leo from Delights, said: “We all grew up listening to the Stone Roses and New Order. A lot of the electro influence stuff that New Order does has definitely seeped into a couple of the tracks.”

He went on to say that there was ‘definitely intentionally and some subconscious influences’ in their new music. Which seems to be a common consensus among bands from the North, as half Manc, half London band Balancing Act confirmed this with lead singer Kai saying: “There’s always going to be Manchester influences, or northern influences, on our music, it’s kind of ingrained in you. You’ve got no say in it.”

So, impossible to avoid, and even harder to dislike, Manchester musical influences cling onto the new generation of bands whether they like it or not.

Despite this, Leo from Delights was quick to point out that ‘Manchester’s not just about the big names from the past’ and that ‘there’s a lot of amazing stuff coming out of the city all the time’, and he is absolutely correct.

The early 00s saw the Courteeners appear on the scene, followed by The 1975 and Stockport’s Blossoms in the early 2010s. But more recently we have seen other acts like Pale Waves and Wigan’s The Lathums gaining traction on the music scene. And this is not just in Manchester, but globally.

Balancing Act

So no matter your personal preference, or favourite genre, even more recent indie pop bands have had an influence.

Foxglove by Sujan Hariharan

Talking to female-fronted band Foxglove in the back room of a Northern Quarter bar, guitarist Ryan explained that ‘the 1975 became that catalyst band from Manchester’ for them. It made them think that ‘if they can do it, then we can do it’. They also spoke about artists like Antony Szmierek who are helping to bridge the gap between playing smaller venues and bigger events like Parklife.

Even drawing parallels between backgrounds seem to add to the aspirational aspect as Liam from Foxglove said: “I mean, look at Oasis. They come from a council estate background. We do as well ourselves, so it’s nice to see.”

But while Manchester still somewhat basks in the musical glow of its talented predecessors and current rising stars, there is also something to be said about the venues in the city.

Because of course, bands and artists always need somewhere to perform, and for up and comers this is all the more important. 

Thankfully, Manchester is not short on gig spots of all sizes

Spanning the city is a plethora of independent venues that consistently house music events every night of the week. So the chance for newcomers to get in front of a crowd – no matter if that is purely friends and family – is there. Bands can take to the stage, whether that be as a support act or headlining, and show new and current fans what they’re made of.

Grassroots venues are ultimately what keep the scene alive. From the small back room in The Castle, to venues like Gorilla, Deaf Institute and even larger capacity spots like the O2 Ritz, for Manchester there would be no scene at all without them.

Speaking to Charlie from The Panamas, he flagged how important these venues have been not just presently, but as an introduction to the Manchester music scene for budding artists like himself.

He said: “It is really inspiring, I remember being 15 or 16 and just going to a different gig every week, because you’re a bit too young to start going out. But there was a really good gig culture.”

The Maddocks by Ianthe Warlow

Siobhan from The Maddocks agreed. She said: “We were always at gigs when we were teenagers, before you’re actually old enough to go to the pub, it was a night out for you.”

And many music fanatics who have been on the scene since a young age can definitely relate to this. Which makes venues, in any city, a clear pillar of the music community for not just the bands but the fans as well. 

Kai from Balancing Act sums it up well when he said: “There is a really good natural growth and venue size in Manchester. There is a natural progression.”

And progression there is.

By starting off small and working their way up, local Mancunians, as well as bands from neighbouring cities, have a real opportunity to play.

Ed from Stockport band The Maddocks expanded on this, he said: “They can come and play small rooms and not feel like they’re playing in front of no one.

“People want to play in Manchester, even if they’re not from here. They want to play here because people love music here. People want to be a part of it.”

And from supporting one another on social media, to going to each other’s gigs, there is also an immense community spirit on the Manchester music scene. As George from The Maddocks poetically puts it: “It’s very much not dog eat dog. It’s like – dog is friends with dog.”

The camaraderie on the scene is also rooted in providing opportunities to other upcoming bands, and Foxglove explained that they always try to give other, younger artists more opportunities to support them, because ‘there’s enough room for everyone’.

Foxglove’s singer Abi said: “I always want to get a female on with us as well, because I think that’s really important, especially in Manchester. So I always push for that.”

“Get the girls out,” she says.

While it may seem trivial, it’s key for bands with larger followings to give less established artists a chance to get in front of a crowd. And it’s common for gig-goers to become a fan purely by catching a random set before a headline act.

Ed from The Maddocks said: “We’re all trying to do the same thing. So why wouldn’t we all support each other?”

The Panamas by Holdoesphotos (Holly Rebecca)

“It’s not like, like the 90s, Oasis vs Blur, all that sort of stuff. I always find now, the sort of culture between bands is always really positive,” says Charlie from The Panamas.

So, the musical heritage inspires them, great gig venues offer them somewhere to play and the community spirit spurs them on, but does this make Manchester the homing beacon of the north for quintessentially British bands?

Culturally, the city embraces the musical talent it has created over the years, and holds that spot permanently. But the Manchester music scene doesn’t need to scream to be noticed, because the bands come to it – not the other way around.

“I think we’re evidently proud as a city and that’s displayed throughout, but I don’t think it’s something that we heavily rely upon too much. Manchester is much more than the music of the past and present, it’s a great city with even greater people,” says Leo from Delights.