Manchester confirmed as a top three city worldwide for live music

MCRJourno

If your ideal getaway involves catching a gig instead of queuing at tourist hotspots, you’re not alone.

A new study by luggage storage network Bounce.com has revealed that nearly half of Gen Z and Millennial travellers now prioritise experiences like live music over traditional sightseeing, with 6% choosing destinations based on music events.

The research ranks the top cities globally for music gig lovers factoring in venues, festivals, public transport, and budget-friendly accommodation - and Manchester proudly lands third in the world behind Paris and Austin.

With over 1,730 gigs scheduled in 2025, from legends like Lionel Richie and Billy Ocean to icons like Olivia Rodrigo, the city continues to prove it’s one of the UK’s cultural powerhouses.

Manchester’s musical reputation is backed up by more than 50 live venues, including beloved spaces like Band on the Wall, Albert Hall, and Bridgewater Hall - other halls are available.

It’s also a festival hotspot, hosting fan-favourites like Parklife (next month), Outbreak Fest, and Damnation.

The report also highlights that five other UK cities made the global top 50 - London (11th), Liverpool (13th), Glasgow (14th), Birmingham (25th), and Sheffield (32nd), showing that the UK remains a world-class destination for live music lovers.

Whether you're catching a stadium show at the AO Arena or discovering new talent in a Northern Quarter basement, Manchester continues to strike the right chord with music fans at home and abroad.