Manchester mayor Bev Craig pledged £2 million in funding to support local musicians beyond the city's famous guitar-band heritage, announcing the investment at a creative industries conference at MediaCity in Salford.
Craig said Manchester's music scene encompasses more than Oasis, emphasising support for "guitar bands or not." The funding targets improved access to rehearsal and production space for diverse local artists across Greater Manchester.
The announcement comes as Manchester continues to leverage its musical reputation. Craig's comments suggest a deliberate effort to broaden the city's cultural identity beyond its 1990s rock legacy, backing emerging and established acts across multiple genres.