Music Capital of the World?

[The Good Citizen]

I have harped on a few times that I went to see the Stone Roses last night in Manchester, decked out in my Joy Division T-Shirt and it never fails to amaze me how many great bands I have grown up with come from the city. Below is a list (including Greater Manchester) of just a few that I personally love although a quick google search showed there were plenty of other bands that while I don't personally listen to have made their mark. For instance the Bee Gees and Take That (Ok my sister loves Take That and as boy bands go they are one of the better ones!)

So my point is, I believe Manchester is the music capital of the world and wanted to be proven wrong and see which other cities could lay claim to this. Liverpool, London and New York also have plenty of bands I love but it’s always Manchester for me!

So your thoughts please with a list of ten to match mine below

The Chemical Brothers
Doves
Elbow
The Fall
Happy Mondays
Joy Division/New Order
Oasis
The Smiths
The Stone Roses
The Verve

 

[flaneur]

Hmm, good question. If you count bands older bands or ones that are no longer creating music, then it's really hard for me to decide. You may have had Joy Division, but we have Sonic Youth . Haha.

Most of the "in" music is coming from New York, but I definitely prefer music from Europe.

 

[In a lonely place]

It's got to be Manchester or Liverpool.

Here's a list of scouse troubadours to wallow in:
The Beatles
Echo and the Bunnymen
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Elvis Costello
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
The Searchers
The Teardrop Explodes
China Crisis
Gerry and the Pacemakers
and a fave of mine .. The Icicle Works

I think these 10 match up well against Manchester and over a wider timescale aswell. Which is the greater city? I'm not sure .. as being a New Order/Elbow fan I cannot be unbiased.

Are there any other cities which can compete?

 

[The Good Citizen]

It's got to be Manchester or Liverpool.

Here's a list of scouse troubadours to wallow in:
The Beatles
Echo and the Bunnymen
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Elvis Costello
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
The Searchers
The Teardrop Explodes
China Crisis
Gerry and the Pacemakers
and a fave of mine .. The Icicle Works

I think these 10 match up well against Manchester and over a wider timescale aswell. Which is the greater city? I'm not sure .. as being a New Order/Elbow fan I cannot be unbiased.

Are there any other cities which can compete?

Ah.. see I knew I could at least rely on you two to reply

Those are the three cities that always spring to mind, you could add the La's to Liverpool too and yeah Echo and the bunnymen and obviously the Beatles but on the whole I'd always go with Manchester although it wasn't until the late 70's and Joy Division that a scene really emerged thats true.

For New York and with a bit of googling...

Sonic Youth
The Velvet Underground
The Ramones
Run-DMC
Blondie
Talking Heads
Interpol
Beastie Boys
Strokes
New York Dolls

In fairness that runs Manchester pretty close for me!

I guess its down to personal preference, Seattle had a strong scene and the West coast bands of the sixities, Beach Boys, Byrds Doors, Love, Grateful Dead etc but not sure which city they all came from but you could argue their case too.

London has the clash, sex pistols, libertines ermm probably a fair few more but seeing as its nearly twenty times the size of Manchester it really should pull its weight more!

 

[In a lonely place]

Yes, I admit I'd have to add New York to my list; you've added to my musical knowledge there.

 

[ajdass1]

It can only be Birmingham.

Metal giants Black Sabbath and Judas Priest;
Two members of Led Zeppelin;
Grindcore heavyweights Napalm Death;
Pioneers of doom metal Witchfinder General;
NWOBHM stars Diamond Head.

I guess this is a very niche choice, but there you go

 

[The Good Citizen]

I live near Birmingham so I'd love to fight its corner but considering the size of the city its a pretty poor return really. True there is a metal scene, but not a lot else. Ocean Colour Scene are from Brum I think and Slade are from Wolverhampton-ish. (but it would annoy anyone from Wolves if I suggested it was greater Birmingham!)

Ozzy Osbourne was supposed to own the wine bar in my little town, well it is called Ozzy's so I guess so. Think I'd remember seeing him though if I ever past him on the street! Thats its only claim to fame, oh and the sex pistols once played there when no where else would have them.. and sid vicious spat on my uncle as he always proudly tells me!