Profits generated by last summer’s Oasis reunion concerts and business rates from the Co-op Live arena are being reinvested into struggling grassroots music venues across Manchester, city leaders have confirmed.
The funding initiative comes as the city prepares to host the BRIT Awards for the first time in the ceremony’s history, with the event moving out of London for its 2026 edition on February 28.
Manchester City Council Leader Bev Craig said the approach demonstrated a commitment to nurturing future talent rather than simply celebrating the city’s musical heritage.
She explained that money from major events was being directed to smaller venues that form the foundation of the local music scene, with support from the Music Venues Trust.
The Oasis Live ’25 Tour brought 340,000 people to five sold-out shows at Heaton Park last summer, while 1.2 million visitors attended live music events across the city during that period.
Co-op Live, the largest indoor live music venue in Europe, opened despite predictions that a city outside London could not sustain two major arenas. Both the new venue and the AO Arena are now performing strongly, according to council leaders.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham described music venues as critical infrastructure, stating that the city’s music scene operates seven nights a week across venues ranging from the smallest grassroots spaces to Europe’s largest arena.
This year’s BRIT trophy has been designed by Matthew Williamson using amber resin to represent Manchester’s Worker Bee symbol. Jack Whitehall will host the ceremony, which will air live on ITV.
Burnham said he had waited his entire life to see Manchester host events of this scale, describing the moment as emotional after decades of change in the city.
Craig said the awards represented past, present and future — celebrating established artists while shining a spotlight on current talent and creating a legacy for what comes next.
