Manchester, the vibrant heart of the North, is set to make history as it plays host to the prestigious BRIT Awards next month. For Mayor Andy Burnham, this moment has been a long time coming, as he reveals he has “waited all his life” to see Manchester host such a prestigious event.
The decision to move the BRITs out of London for the first time in its history is a testament to Manchester’s thriving music scene. The city has long been at the forefront of producing some of the biggest names in British music, from Oasis and The Stone Roses to Blossoms and The 1975. Yet, despite this rich musical heritage, Manchester has often been overlooked when it comes to honouring talent across the globe.
Now, with the BRITs choosing Manchester as the host city for the next two years, the spotlight is firmly on this Northern powerhouse. “It’s a massive sign that the city is thriving, booming – the most vibrant city in the UK,” Burnham enthuses. “In my time, growing up, it was the complete opposite. We’ve come through all these decades, and now look at us. It’s an emotional moment, Manchester has been on a long road back, and I believe music started that change journey – here we are, it’s a great thing to see.”
The city’s music scene has been flourishing in recent years, with over one million people flocking to Manchester for live music events last summer alone. Oasis’ mammoth “Oasis Live ’25 Tour”, which saw the band play five sold-out shows at Heaton Park, was a particular highlight. “I would say what we witnessed over the summer was incredible,” says Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council.
But it’s not just the big-name acts that are thriving in Manchester. The city is also committed to supporting its grassroots music venues, with the Music Venues Trust helping to secure funding for those struggling. “Funding for grassroots venues, to be able to bid into those that are struggling. We did that off the back of the profit, the money that came into the city from Oasis and from the business rates of Co-op Live, to show we’re taking money from the big guys, putting it into core venues and helping generate future talent,” Craig explains.
This year’s BRIT Awards nominees reflect the wealth of talent emerging from Manchester and the surrounding region. Lola Young and Olivia Dean, both hailing from the North, have each received five nominations, while northern legend Sam Fender has bagged four. The likes of Fred again.., Jim Legxacy, Wolf Alice, Dave and Lily Allen have also received multiple nods.
As Manchester prepares to host the BRITs, the city’s music scene is primed to take centre stage. For Burnham and Craig, this moment is not just about celebrating the past, but also showcasing the city’s present and future. “It’s about past, present and future,” Craig says. “We celebrate our past, we know the musicians have done so well, and people still celebrate them now. I think what this does is show the spotlight on the talent that’s here today, the city that’s here today.”
