Manchester’s music scene is one of the most influential in British music cultural history, shaping global sounds from post-punk to Britpop and beyond.
Emerging from the industrial spirit of the city, it gave rise to legendary acts like Joy Division, The Smiths, Oasis, and The Stone Roses. The groundbreaking club The Haçienda and the iconic label Factory Records helped define the “Madchester” era, blending indie rock with dance culture. Today, Manchester remains a powerhouse of live music — and this has just been encapsulated more than ever, as the Rainy City has just hosted the first-ever BRIT Awards at its Harry Styles-owned Co-op Live Arena, marking the first ceremony to be hosted outside of London.
The night was led by Olivia Dean, who secured four major honors, including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for The Art of Loving. She also won Best Pop Act and shared Song of the Year with Sam Fender for their collaboration “Rein Me In.” Other notable winners included Wolf Alice (Group of the Year), Rosalía (International Artist of the Year), and Geese (International Group of the Year). Rosé made history as the first K-pop artist to win a Brit Award, claiming International Song of the Year alongside Bruno Mars.
The ceremony also featured performances from Olivia Dean, Rosalía, Wolf Alice and Harry Styles, who premiered his new single “Aperture,” while Mark Ronson was recognized for Outstanding Contribution to Music. The evening concluded with a tribute to Ozzy Osborne, celebrating his lasting impact on British music.
As the BRIT Awards ceremony drew to a close, the celebrations moved to Soho House Manchester, which hosted the official after-party for the awards’ first northern edition in partnership with Sony. Set in the heart of the city, the members’ club offered a fitting backdrop for the landmark night — a stylish, design-led space known for its warm lighting, contemporary interiors and panoramic rooftop views across Manchester’s skyline. The venue’s mix of industrial character and polished luxury captured the spirit of the city itself, making it an ideal setting to continue the evening in elevated style.
Award winners and performers were the first through the doors, including Wolf Alice, Skepta and Mark Ronson, arriving straight from the arena to toast the night’s achievements. Nominees such as JADE, Jordan Stephens, Skye Newman, Myles Smith, Blood Orange and Sasha Keable quickly followed, filling the club’s lounges and rooftop spaces as the atmosphere built late into the night.
The guestlist extended beyond music, bringing together some of the biggest names in entertainment. Host Jack Whitehall attended alongside Roxy Horner, while Dua Lipa, Sharon and Kelly Osborne, AJ Odudu, Angry Ginge, Nick Grimshaw and Aitch all added to the buzz.
Later in the evening, Songwriter of the Year winner Noel Gallagher joined the celebrations, rounding off a night that not only marked a milestone for the BRITs in Manchester, but also showcased Soho House as the city’s newest cultural hotspot.
Take a look at what went down at the official Soho House after-party above.
