We’ve said it once, we’ll say it again: Manchester is the best spot in the UK for music. Well, finally we’ve been proved right, because Manchester has been named the second best European city for live music, and tops the list for the UK.
Music tourism has boomed over the past year, with 32% of Brits looking to take a musical venture this year, and with the likes of Oasis, Beyonce and Coldplay taking to the stage in 2025, it shows no signs of slowing down. Now more than ever, fans are willing to travel to see their favourite act (and maybe explore a new city).
To make these ‘musical pilgrimages’ across Europe that bit easier, Accor have curated the European Music Map, revealing the best destinations for music lovers this year. The in-depth research ranks the destinations based on the number of scheduled gigs, global monthly search trends, and venue ratings—helping fans discover the hotspots for unforgettable performances.
Manchester, unsurprisingly, came pretty high up on the list, coming second only to the iconic home of Berghain, Berlin, wiping out the competition not only in the form of UK and Irish cities like London, Birmingham and Dublin, but those from all over the continent.
The birthplace of Oasis, The Smiths, Stone Roses, the Ting Tings, Gary Barlow (obviously), and so many more, it’s unsurprising that Manchester secured second place, scoring 87.2. Manchester continues its legacy as a music powerhouse, hosting 966 gigs across iconic venues such as The Ritz, Albert Hall, and the O2 Apollo.
Manchester also continues to be a city of innovation and championing grassroots talent, with the likes of Aviva Studios, Jimmy’s, Matt & Phreds and Band on the Wall holding events specifically for emerging artists and special sessions. Of course, we’re biased, but the stats don’t lie and this accolade is very well-deserved.
Crowned the ultimate live music destination with an overall gig city score of 88.2, Berlin will host a staggering 1,161 gigs in 2025. With legendary venues like SO36, Berghain, and Waldbühne, Berlin’s rich music culture makes it an unmissable stop for fans, and quite frankly, we’re happy to concede to the masters.
Elsewhere in the UK, with an impressive gig city score of 82.33 and a staggering 697,040 global monthly gig searches, London remains a global music hub – although finally we’ve pipped the capital to the post. Fans can experience everything from rock at the O2 Brixton Academy to jazz at Ronnie Scott’s, and of course, being a way bigger city, London has plenty more venues for music-lovers to try.
Our beloved Emerald cousin Dublin boasts a vibrant music scene, coming in fourth with a score of 77.4, hosting 558 gigs throughout 2025. From intimate dive bars to grand concert halls, the city’s live music experience is truly exceptional. Home to world-renowned acts like U2 and Fontaines D.C., Ireland’s capital continues to showcase incredible talent and is only rising in the world’s estimations.
The top 10 European cities for live music are:
- Berlin, Germany – 88.2
- Manchester, UK – 87.2
- London, UK – 82.3
- Dublin, Ireland – 77.4
- Paris, France – 75.4
- Hamburg, Germany – 75.4
- Birmingham, UK – 70.5
- Prague, Czechia – 66.6
- Munich, Germany – 65.6
- Amsterdam, Netherlands – 65.6