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Ibibio Sound Machine performing at Band on the Wall(Image: Band on the Wall)<\/p>\n‘Inclusive, diverse and passionate’: Music venues reflect on why Manchester saw a big increase in music events last yearIbibio Sound Machine performing at Band on the Wall(Image: Band on the Wall)<\/p>\n
Manchester saw the second biggest increase in music events last year – putting on 300 more shows in 2024 than in 2023. An increase that is down to the city’s vibrant and diverse scene, Manchester’s music venues say.<\/p>\n
A recent report by A2D2 has revealed how Manchester\u2019s music industry saw a 12% growth, making Manchester home to 2,800 events in 2024 – an increase beaten only by Newcastle that hosted 509 more events in 2024 compared to 2023.<\/p>\n
The change comes despite the North West being the region that had the most closures<\/a> last year, with 19 venues sadly shutting.<\/p>\n However, Manchester saw a number of new venues opening their doors last year, including Co-op Live. The biggest venue in Manchester recently announced its plans to extend the arena<\/a> after subsequent success following its rocky start<\/a>.<\/p>\n But Manchester is also home to many grassroots venues and festivals that keep the music scene thriving with their “inclusive and culturally diverse spaces,” CEO of Band on the Wall, Gavin Sharp says.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cBand on the Wall has a long history of being an inclusive, culturally diverse space. Right the way back to the 70s and 80s, it was the one venue in town that put on the reggae bands and the African bands and the South American bands, and it’s had a history of putting on LGBTQ nights.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s about loving music and culture,” he says. Legendary Manchester music venue Band on the Wall recently opened a new jazz inspired bar<\/a> and bought its neighbouring pub The Rose & Monkey<\/a> as part of their “mission to support grassroots music.”<\/p>\n “The whole vibe with both those spaces is that they are safe spaces. They\u2019re for people who love music. They’re inclusive,” he said.<\/p>\n The city’s diversity and welcoming atmosphere is an inherent part of Manchester’s long, successful relationship with its vibrant music scene, according to Gavin. And it’s the draw of a bustling music scene that keeps people moving to the city – with it now seeing a popularity boom similar to that of the 90s, he says.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are super, super fortunate in this city that we’ve grasped this moment, with the city council support and with resident support.<\/p>\n \u201cManchester is probably, more than any other city, a city of migrants. It was at the heart of the industrial revolution. People were drawn into the city. This city’s remarkable in how welcoming and supportive it has been of its migrant communities.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s in the culture of the city. We welcome people.”<\/p>\n He added: \u201cWe’re only reflective of the great city. It’s really noticeable here actually how welcoming most Mancunians are. It’s always been a bit stronger than most of the places. Right now, it is far, far, far stronger.”<\/p>\n For Gavin, the heart of Manchester’s music scene is the Northern Quarter<\/a> – the home of Band on the Wall and an area unrivalled with a high number of venues so close to one another that music enjoyers can easily move between settings – such as during the recent Folk Festival<\/a>.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cThere\u2019s nowhere else like it in the country. There might be nowhere else like it in Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n For La Discotheque – a club night and event series known for its disco-infused atmosphere that started in Manchester and has since gone international – the city gave them the grounding they needed to take their show worldwide.<\/p>\n Kat Warburton, founder of La Discoth\u00e8que, said: “What\u2019s kept La Discoth\u00e8que thriving for nearly a decade? It\u2019s simple – constant reinvention. We\u2019re always thinking about how to surprise and excite our audience. Whether it\u2019s a super special back-to-back set or bringing in an artist who hasn\u2019t played the city in years, our line-ups are curated with the \u2018wow\u2019 factor in mind.<\/p>\n “Nearly every penny we make goes straight back into the brand. From developing a slick new website to upgrading performer costumes, signage, and branding, we\u2019re always investing in ways to elevate the La Discoth\u00e8que experience.<\/p>\n “But above all, the success of La Discoth\u00e8que comes down to sheer hard work, determination, and a whole lot of love. Running a club brand in a saturated market – especially when people have less disposable income – isn\u2019t easy. But we\u2019ve stayed fresh, exciting, and profitable because we never stop grafting.”<\/p>\n “I\u2019ve always known I wanted to be a club promoter. Even as a teenager, I had this clear vision of running events around the world. I remember going to Ibiza at 17 and thinking, one day, I\u2019ll be putting on parties here.<\/p>\n “The big turning point for La Discoth\u00e8que outside of Manchester came in 2017, when we were booked at Printworks in London. That first show led to five more sold-out parties there, and suddenly, promoters from across the UK were getting in touch. We started expanding – taking La Discoth\u00e8que to cities across the country and, eventually, to Ibiza.<\/p>\n “This year, I\u2019m especially proud to say we\u2019ve got two La Discoth\u00e8que parties lined up at the iconic Pikes, as well as two shows at 528 in Ibiza. It\u2019s a bit of a full-circle moment, really.”<\/p>\n As well as running La Discoth\u00e8que, Kat has been club programming manager at Albert Hall for the past seven years, and she’s seen first hand how Manchester nightlife has boomed in recent years.<\/p>\n She said: “It\u2019s inspiring to see, but the reality is that the market is becoming saturated. With more competition, rising costs, and audiences having less disposable income, many promoters – myself included – have taken hits financially.<\/p>\n “People\u2019s habits are shifting too. They\u2019re going out less, and when they do, they\u2019re looking for something different – whether it\u2019s day parties, brunches, or events with live elements. Reinvention is key now.<\/p>\n “That\u2019s why we\u2019ve launched La Discoth\u00e8que Live, which debuts at AO Arena in Manchester on Friday 6th June. It\u2019s our first fully live show, with a 5pm\u201311pm schedule – something different from our usual format, and another string to our bow. We\u2019re evolving with our audience, and we\u2019re excited to see where this new direction takes us.”<\/p>\n Join the Manchester Evening News <\/strong>WhatsApp<\/strong> group <\/strong>HERE<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Gavin](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_180924copper7.jpg\")
Gavin Sharp at Band on the Wall(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n![\"La](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_DJ_MEN_221118weekend_01.jpg\")
La Discotheque at Albert Hall Manchester(Image: Jack Kirwin -JK Photography, via Facebook Albert Hall)<\/p>\n
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Green Island festival at Hulme Garden Centre 2022(Image: Philip Edward Hyde)<\/p>\n