The streets of Manchester have many a story to tell, but what the cobbled stones really love to sing about the most is, of course, the city’s musical side. 

This cultural vibrancy is the perfect foil to Manchester’s intense industrial side, with the two going hand in hand over the years to create a bustling hub of neverending innovation and generation of ideas.

Some of the biggest bands of the 60s got started in Manchester, including The Bee Gees and The Hollies, and Manchester had a big part to play in the rise of punk rock come the late 1970s. 

The Buzzcocks and The Fall both called Manchester home, as did household names like Joy Division, New Order, The Smiths, The Happy Mondays and Simply Red, all making serious waves in the music industry in the 80s and beyond.

And let’s not forget about the role Manchester played in the emergence of the Northern Soul movement in the 70s, with the first Northern Soul club – the Twisted Wheel – opening up in the city and playing rare soul records that were hard to find anywhere else in the UK.

Manchester music legends are ten a penny, it would seem, and you can devote your time in the city to discovering this for yourself by booking a space on one of the many historical music walking tours that abound. A great way to get to know the township and get some new tracks for your Spotify playlist, all at the same time!

But, of course, we can’t talk about music in Manchester without mentioning the one and only Oasis who, as we’re sure you’re aware by now, are planning a reunion gig next year, 30 years after the seminal Definitely Maybe album came out.

Part of the Britpop movement, Oasis proved to be hugely influential in all sorts of ways, with their sound still heard in modern indie rock, with the likes of The Arctic Monkeys and The Libertines following in their footsteps.

Latterly, Stockport’s own The Blossoms have most recently been likened to Oasis, although their sound is distinct to their Mancunian counterparts. If you’ve not managed to score yourself tickets to the Oasis gig next year, you could certainly do worse than checking out a Blossoms set or two!