Manchester saw the second biggest increase in music events last year - putting on 300 more shows in 2024 than in 2023. An increase that is down to the city's vibrant and diverse scene, Manchester's music venues say. A recent report by A2D2 has revealed how Manchester’s music industry saw a 12% growth, making Manchester home to 2,800 events in 2024 - an increase beaten only by Newcastle that hosted 509 more events in 2024 compared to 2023. The change comes despite the North West being the region that had the most closures last year, with 19 venues sadly shutting. However, Manchester saw a number of new venues opening their doors last year, including Co-op Live. The biggest venue in Manchester recently announced its plans to extend the arena after subsequent success following its rocky start . But Manchester is also home to many grassroots venues and festivals that keep the music scene thriving with their " inclusive and culturally diverse spaces," CEO of Band on the Wall, Gavin Sharp says. He said: “Band on the Wall has a long history of being an inclusive, culturally diverse space. Right the way back to the 70s and 80s, it was the one venue in town that put on the reggae bands and the African bands and the South American bands, and it's had a history of putting on LGBTQ nights. “It's about loving music and culture," he says. Legendary Manchester music venue Band on the Wall recently opened a new jazz inspired bar and bought its neighbouring pub The Rose & Monkey as part of their "mission to support grassroots music." "The whole vibe with both those spaces is that they are safe spaces. They’re for people who love music. They're inclusive," he said. The city's diversity and welcoming atmosphere is an inherent part of Manchester's long, successful relationship with its vibrant music scene, according to Gavin. And it's the draw of a bustling music scene that keeps people moving to the city - with it now seeing a popularity boom similar to that of the 90s, he says. “We are super, super fortunate in this city that we've grasped this moment, with the city council support and with resident support. “Manchester is probably, more than any other city, a city of migrants. It was at the heart of the industrial revolution. People were drawn into the city. This city's remarkable in how welcoming and supportive it has been of its migrant communities. “It's in the culture of the city. We welcome people." He added: “We're only reflective of the great city. It's really noticeable here actually how welcoming most Mancunians are. It's always been a bit stronger than most of the places. Right now, it is far, far, far stronger." For Gavin, the heart of Manchester's music scene is the Northern Quarter - the home of Band on the Wall and an area unrivalled with a high number of venues so close to one another that music enjoyers can easily move between settings - such as during the recent Folk Festival . He said: “There’s nowhere else like it in the country. There might be nowhere else like it in Europe.” For La Discotheque - a club night and event series known for its disco-infused atmosphere that started in Manchester and has since gone international - the city gave them the grounding they needed to take their show worldwide. Kat Warburton, founder of La Discothèque, said: "What’s kept La Discothèque thriving for nearly a decade? It’s simple - constant reinvention. We’re always thinking about how to surprise and excite our audience. Whether it’s a super special back-to-back set or bringing in an artist who hasn’t played the city in years, our line-ups are curated with the ‘wow’ factor in mind. "Nearly every penny we make goes straight back into the brand. From developing a slick new website to upgrading performer costumes, signage, and branding, we’re always investing in ways to elevate the La Discothèque experience. "But above all, the success of La Discothèque comes down to sheer hard work, determination, and a whole lot of love. Running a club brand in a saturated market - especially when people have less disposable income - isn’t easy. But we’ve stayed fresh, exciting, and profitable because we never stop grafting." "I’ve always known I wanted to be a club promoter. Even as a teenager, I had this clear vision of running events around the world. I remember going to Ibiza at 17 and thinking, one day, I’ll be putting on parties here. "The big turning point for La Discothèque outside of Manchester came in 2017, when we were booked at Printworks in London. That first show led to five more sold-out parties there, and suddenly, promoters from across the UK were getting in touch. We started expanding - taking La Discothèque to cities across the country and, eventually, to Ibiza. "This year, I’m especially proud to say we’ve got two La Discothèque parties lined up at the iconic Pikes, as well as two shows at 528 in Ibiza. It’s a bit of a full-circle moment, really." As well as running La Discothèque, Kat has been club programming manager at Albert Hall for the past seven years, and she's seen first hand how Manchester nightlife has boomed in recent years. She said: "It’s inspiring to see, but the reality is that the market is becoming saturated. With more competition, rising costs, and audiences having less disposable income, many promoters - myself included - have taken hits financially. "People’s habits are shifting too. They’re going out less, and when they do, they’re looking for something different - whether it’s day parties, brunches, or events with live elements. Reinvention is key now. "That’s why we’ve launched La Discothèque Live, which debuts at AO Arena in Manchester on Friday 6th June. It’s our first fully live show, with a 5pm–11pm schedule - something different from our usual format, and another string to our bow. We’re evolving with our audience, and we’re excited to see where this new direction takes us." Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Another Manchester born music event that has thanked Manchester's diverse communities for its success is the Green Island Festival in Hulme - who are celebrating their fifth anniversary this year and are expanding the festival’s capacity to 1,500. Co-founder George McGirr said: "Manchester truly is a special city for putting on events. The passion people here have for music is second to none. When the local community gets behind something, it's a joy to be part of the energy it creates. "Manchester has been an incredible place to launch our brand. Over the years, we noticed that event programming had become increasingly narrow, often catering to specific genres or particular crowds. "We saw an opportunity to fill a gap in the market—a space that celebrates a wide range of musical styles and brings diverse communities together under one roof. We've since built a genuine community, which is likely a big part of our continued success. "In the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, there was a clear desire for people to reconnect outdoors. Hulme Garden Centre proved to be the perfect setting, embodying two of our core values: community and nature."