Culture of Manchester

A busker in St Ann's Square

The Culture of Manchester is notable artistically,[1] architecturally,[2][3] theatrically and musically.[4] Despite being the 5th largest city in the United Kingdom by population and the second largest conurbation, Manchester has been ranked as the second city of the United Kingdom in numerous polls since the 2000s (decade),[5][6] with an influential culture scene helping to elevate Manchester's importance in the national psyche.[7] This has helped the city's population grow by 20% in the last decade, and made the universities the most popular choices for undergraduate admission.

20th century broadcaster and social commentator Brian Redhead once said "Manchester ... is the capital, in every sense, of the North of England, where the modern world was born. The people know their geography is without equal. Their history is their response to it".[8] Whilst Ian Brown of the Stone Roses has previously said that "Manchester has everything except a beach".[9]

Often cited as the world's first industrialised city,[10][11] with little pre-factory history to speak of, Manchester is the third most visited city in the United Kingdom after London and Edinburgh and is a major centre of the creative industries.

  1. ^ "A new Manchester every day". BBC. 2 December 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  2. ^ Glancey, Jonathan (7 May 2011). "The wonder years". Guardian. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  3. ^ "Building Sights: Architecture in Manchester". The Independent. 10 December 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  4. ^ "Manchester to test West End shows". BBC. 17 May 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  5. ^ "Manchester 'England's Second City'". ipsos-mori. 12 September 2002. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  6. ^ "Manchester tops second city poll". BBC. 10 February 2007. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  7. ^ "New Manchester". BBC News. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
  8. ^ McNeil, Robina; Nevell, Michael (2000). A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Greater Manchester. Association for Industrial Archaeology. p. 1. ISBN 0-9528930-3-7.
  9. ^ "Features - Manchester Quotes". www.manchester.com. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  10. ^ "Energy Hall | Manchester - the first industrial city". Science Museum. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  11. ^ "University UK | British Council USA". Britishcouncil.org. Archived from the original on 17 April 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.