Manchester is and always will be a city of music. From The Hollies in the sixties, to contemporary chart-toppers like The 1975 and Blossoms – the city has produced more than its fair share of world-class musicians.
Today people flock here from all over the world to share in the city’s musical heritage, which is evident on almost every street corner – from Salford Lads’ Club, the site of the iconic Smiths photo, to the apartment block that was once the Hacienda, the birthplace of the Madchester era.
While Wonderwall may be the first thing people think of when it comes to Manchester music, our city’s musical legacy runs much deeper than that. Here are some of the best albums made by Manchester bands and musicians.
9. Happy Mondays – Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyache (1990)
It was hard to pick just one from the Happy Mondays discography, but their third studio album includes the universally recognised “Step On” and other hits like “Kinky Afro” and “Loose Fit.” (Photo by Rob Harrison/Getty Images) | Getty Images
10. Seldom Seen Kid – Elbow (2008)
The fourth studio album by Guy Garvey’s Elbow was the one that made them a household name. It includes the string-heavy hit “One Day Like This.” (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images) | Getty Images
11. The Courteeners – St. Jude (2008)
Originally released in 2008, this album made UK history in January when it reached number one in the charts – the longest time it has ever taken an album to reach number one after its release. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
12. James – Laid (1993)
The folky sound of the fifth studio album by James, which was also produced by the legendary Brian Eno, was inspired by the band’s experience supporting Neil Young. (Photo by Bruno Vincent/Getty Images) | Getty Images