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Manchester has officially been crowned the UK and Ireland’s top live music destination and the second-best city in all of Europe for live performances, ranking ahead of several major cities across the continent.
With music tourism thriving across post-pandemic Europe, 2025 is set to be an unforgettable year for live gigs, and Manchester is proving to be at the heart of the action. A newly released European Music Map by Accor has analysed the best destinations for music lovers, considering the number of scheduled gigs, global monthly search trends, and venue ratings to determine the ultimate hotspots for live performances.
Manchester, a city with an undeniable musical legacy as the birthplace of Oasis, The Smiths, and The 1975, secured second place in the rankings with an impressive gig city score of 87.2. With 966 scheduled concerts across its renowned venues, including The Ritz, Albert Hall, and the O2 Apollo, Manchester continues to uphold its reputation as a live music powerhouse.
The only city to beat Manchester to the top spot was Berlin, which earned the number-one ranking with a gig city score of 88.2. The German capital will host an astonishing 1,161 gigs in 2025, with legendary venues like SO36, Berghain, and Waldbühne cementing its place as a global music hub.
London, often considered the UK’s main entertainment capital, secured third place with a gig city score of 82.33. The city will host a diverse range of performances, from rock anthems at the O2 Brixton Academy to intimate jazz nights at Ronnie Scott’s. The Irish capital Dublin followed closely behind in fourth place, boasting 558 gigs across its many venues and an average venue rating of 4.5 stars.
Paris rounded out the top five, with an impressive 1,397 gigs lined up in 2025, attracting music fans from across the world.
Manchester’s recognition as the leading UK and Ireland live music destination is a testament to its deep-rooted music culture and its ability to attract world-class talent. Whether it’s indie, rock, dance, or jazz, the city remains one of Europe’s go-to locations for unforgettable live music experiences.
Europe’s Top Live Music Cities in 2025 are Berlin, Manchester, London, Dublin, Paris, Hamburg, Birmingham, Prague, Munich and Amsterdam
