The small venues of Manchester are keeping the music scene alive

Jamie Tichborne | 16th February 2018

Adam Walsh lead singer of Types

“It’s like a little community so we all help each other out,” says Ruby Kirby, “especially in the Northern Quarter, small venues are definitely big on keeping the scene alive – and Manchester as a whole.”

Ruby works at Soup Kitchen, one of the many small venues in Manchester that, through perseverance and consistently putting on talented up and coming bands, has managed to stay popular for years.

“I’m not from Manchester but I’ve lived here for four years and I think going to smaller places is what people prefer to do round here, and the venues obviously like it because it’s good for their business,” Ruby continues, casually lounging in the ground floor bar of Soup Kitchen, all the while the well-loved basement, a place for gigs and club nights, lurks beneath.

“I guess people like the smaller venues because they’re more intimate, especially if you’re going to gigs. If it’s a good band or a DJ because of the intimacy you feel like you get more for your money because you’re a lot closer to the person you’re seeing, you feel more connected.”

Ruby’s point isn’t just about the cosiness of the venue though, it’s also a matter of convenience: “As well as that it’s a good place for friends to go; they know they’re not going to lose each other in such a tiny place.”

The Soup Kitchen, like the wide variety of other small venues hiding in the nooks and crannies of Manchester is home to wide variety of bands, shows and beers. It’s part of the growing number of small venues that are rising in popularity, and with its club night Remake Remodel, it’s is a favourite for students all around the city.

“It’s been popular for the last few years.” Ruby says. “It’s been open for seven years and it’s always been quite busy. Definitely with students though. You find it being a lot more hectic when the students are around, whereas in summer it wasn’t as eventful.”

“There’s Remake Remodel and a few other nights that happen every week, and that definitely attracts them. I think the people who run the nights like to do it in smaller venues again as its probably cheaper for them.

“If you’re going to put on a night at Gorilla, it’s quite big, so it’s probably a bit more money. It means that the smaller venues are always getting more popular though.”

Ruby also lets on that a lot of the popularity might not just be to do with the venue size, but also the location: “Manchester is so well known for its really good music history and it’s constantly got a great music scene.

“I have a load of friends that are in the music industry and a lot of them always play in Manchester. Again, it’s kind of like the big Manchester community, especially in the Northern Quarter because all of the places are linked, so we all help each other out and then the bands play in all the different places.”

Brogan Main, who runs Top Of The Hill, a Manchester based promotion company, often sees the importance and popularity of these more intimate spaces, especially with the bands themselves.

“I think there’s a range of relatively realistic reasons that draws people to them, for bands it’s partly the intimacy, it’s nice to be on such a close level with those who are there purely to listen to your music.

“It increases the connectivity between bands and their audiences, and also for bands it gives those who’re just starting out a place to play, it would be unrealistic to try and play, never mind fill, a massive 500 plus venue, it also would be overwhelming and probably scary for bands just beginning to hit the scene.”

Brogan also mentions the impact of the Northern Quarter on the scene: “Most local promoters will host gigs in all of the local venues in that area so that creates community in itself, but there is usually a gig on in all of the venues nearly every night.

“While a bit of small competition is healthy, it’s nice that everyone’s in it together. A lot of the venues work together and it’s a tight knit community.”

The location is yet another big reason Brogan goes back to. It seems that she also recognises the importance of Manchester in terms of why smaller venues are so immensely popular.

“There’s so many bands around here, which means so many people eager to not only get gigs but go to gigs. Also with the local music schools like BIMM, and the already existing scene that has been in Manchester for so long, there’s always going to be popularity surrounding the music scene here.”

Of course, even with the huge amount of venues she supports and loves, Brogan still has her own personal favourite to help bands play at.

“In Manchester – Jimmy’s, the Castle, Gulliver’s, Night & Day, The Whiskey Jar – all massive contenders for my favourite. Jimmy’s is on the rise every day with it being the newest and potentially most popular one just because of its vibe and direct involvement with the scene, but I don’t think any are lesser than any of the others.”

Right now it seems that the local music scene is flourishing – and it only has the small venues to thank for that, providing a haven for new talent and music geeks alike.

“People are keen to support the local music scene, which includes the venues as well as the bands,” said Brogan. “It’s a city of music and culture, people are very supportive of that and interested in keeping it that way.”