It’s Independent Venue Week, so we thought we’d celebrate some of Manchester’s great music event spaces. These unique venues might not be your first choice for a gig, but they certainly have the wow factor and will get your audience singing in appreciation!
Thanks to Tamsin Chislett at Hire Space for the selection and blurb, you can follow her @HireSpaceMCR.
Just off Deansgate, next door to the old cobbles of Coronation Street, there is 140,000 sq ft of empty studio space ready for action. These old filming studios offer huge blank canvas space with high-spec lighting and sound equipment – a combination that you won’t find anywhere else in Manchester. This is a venue worthy of not just a gig, but an entire festival.
At the other end of the scale, this delightful café/bar in Didsbury is ideal for intimate gigs where the audience can get up close and personal with their idols. With a bookish, bohemian vibe, The Art of Tea showcases the best in local musical and artistic talent – all enjoyed over a cup of the finest tea, or a pint.
Beautiful converted mill’s are Manchester’s speciality and whilst Bridge 5 Mill may be lesser known it is none the less stunning. This top floor ticks all the boxes – high-arched ceilings, wooden floors, exposed brickwork and beams. Host a concert here for a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
4. Blackfriars Roof Garden
For those with serious rockstar aspirations, Blackfriars Roof Garden is one of Manchester’s premier spaces. Combine the gig with a pop-up bar and a bbq on a hazy Summer evening. Guests can lounge on the astroturf and funky sofas, whilst you can have your very own “10 Things I Hate About You” moment.
Another converted building that has a serious wow factor, the Engine Hall’s Edwardian high ceilings and beautiful glass windows make for an unforgettable atmosphere. Centrally located, with space for an audience of 200, the Engine Hall deserves music as lovely as the surroundings.
6. The Message Enterprise Centre
The MEC is a little known venue just outside the City Centre, with a big, flexible space all set up and ready to go for performances and gigs. There’s moveable staging, a high-spec lighting rig, and fully fitted AV. For convenience and versatility, the MEC tops the bill – you just need to bring the music.
7. Z-Arts
Z-Arts is known best for being a fantastic children’s theatre, but it also has a variety of brilliant concert spaces. Whether you book the Music Space for a classical recital, the Theatre for a first-class performance, or the Gallery for a gig where everyone will want to dance – Z-Arts’ relaxed, friendly atmosphere welcomes them all.
What are your favourite (and unusual) venues for hosting gigs in Manchester? Let us know in the comments!
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