Academy 1 (Manchester Academy)

Manchester Academy, Oxford Road, Manchester M1.


The Academy 1, located in Manchester’s vibrant student district ( Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PR), is a renowned live music venue with a history spanning over four decades. The venue was designed to attract A-list artists, and succeeded from day one, which was when it opened in 1990, with The Buzzcocks performing as the opening act.

Academy 1 is the place to go to see some of music’s biggest names as out of all of the Academy venues in Manchester, Academy 1 is the largest venue with a capacity of 2600. It’s the only Academy venue that stands alone - all of the others are housed within the University while Academy 1 is next door to it. It was purpose built to augment the existing and smaller Academy 2, Academy 3 and club Academy venues in the University’s Student’ Union. In recent years, Muse, Prince, The 1975 and Adele have performed here.

Over the years, The Academy 1 has hosted a diverse array of legendary acts, from iconic bands like Nirvana (in 1991) and Oasis (in 1994) during their early days, to modern stars such as Arctic Monkeys (in 2006) and Billie Eilish (in 2019). Its reputation for energetic gigs and intimate atmosphere has made it a cornerstone of Manchester’s live music scene. The venue is also notable for its history of supporting local bands and nurturing talent.

Throughout its history, The Academy 1 has undergone several refurbishments to maintain its status as a premier entertainment space, while preserving its gritty, industrial character. It is part of the larger Academy Music Group, which manages multiple venues across the UK.

Today, The Academy 1 remains a vital part of Manchester’s cultural landscape, known for hosting groundbreaking performances and attracting diverse genres, from rock and indie to electronic and hip-hop. It continues to be a hub for both rising stars and major artists, cementing its place as one of Manchester’s most beloved live music venues.

Writing Credit: Tamzin Rowthorn