Whether it’s in a room above a pub, a basement club or a massive muddy field, there’s nothing quite like live music. We live in a world where streaming services dominate how people discover artists – able to listen to back catalogues at the touch of a button – but no algorithm gives you goose bumps like a gig where rhythm pulses through the body and the crowd moves as one. And it’s a message that’s starting to resonate with music lovers – Mastercard research from 2025 showed that 70% of Brits were planning to spend more on live music.
From stadiums to grassroots spaces, live music venues offer connection and community which can’t be replicated online. They are where the magic happens, where memories are made, and where emerging talent shines. Ahead of The BRIT Awards’ arrival in Manchester on 28 February, the city’s rich musical heritage and vibrant contemporary scene are in the limelight, with Mastercard helping to shape the future of UK music through its sponsorship of The BRIT Awards.
But every artist has to start somewhere, and that’s often at a small venue committed to supporting new bands and local artists. One of Manchester’s cherished independent venues is Night & Day, a key fixture in the Northern Quarter since 1991. Back then it was a chippy, with the owner Jan Oldenburg hawking beers bought from the cash and carry. Over time it became the go-to location to watch exciting live acts, with early gigs from Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys, Courteeners, Manic Street Preachers and more.
When Oldenburg passed away in 2018, Elbow released a statement saying that Night & Day had been “a roost for young artists of all kinds since its opening”. Today, Night & Day is run by Oldenburg’s daughter, Jennifer Smithson. She recalls the early days of the building on Oldham Street.
“Then, the Northern Quarter was full of pet shops, adult shops and some random clothes shops. My dad found a fish and chip shop and thought, OK, I’ve got a vision for that. He set up a stage in the window and sometimes you couldn’t hear the music because the fish was frying.”
Initially a jazz club, Night & Day has retained its early charm, including the bar which was originally the fish and chip counter. Eventually, the stage was moved to the back of the ground floor and the music offering morphed from jazz to more popular genres. But its core value remains the same, namely that “it’s all about people”, whether that’s customers visiting the cafe during the day or staying up to 3am to hear live music and DJs.
In the 1990s, music fans flocked to the handful of independent venues in Manchester, including Night & Day. Now the city is a musical destination, with the Northern Quarter attracting people from across the UK thanks to the proliferation of grassroots spaces and their packed live programmes. But many of those early indies are much missed, demolished by developers and turned into luxury flats and supermarkets. So, what is the secret to Night & Day’s longevity?
“We have fought for it,” says Smithson. “We came under threat twice from flats next door but we got really vocal and fought it. It’s quite a big thing to do and maybe not everyone has the appetite for it.”
Smithson is referring to noise complaints from local residents who moved in during the quiet of Covid lockdown and, post-pandemic, filed grievances with Manchester city council. With the future of Night & Day hanging in the balance, Mancunians came out in support, among them high-profile names such as Blossoms and Johnny Marr. After a three-year battle, the venue was allowed to continue its club nights, albeit with reduced noise levels.
“We’ve always had a loyal fanbase,” reflects Smithson. “We have people coming in now who used to come in the 90s. They enjoy it as a space. It’s amazing that we have a loyal following. And it’s about perseverance. It was my dad’s life, he wanted to do it, and he wasn’t going to let it go. He built it up bit by bit, keeping it low-risk, and always having amazing bands on.”
Across Britain, it’s small venues like Night & Day that champion new artists, schedule gigs, foster local scenes and maintain physical spaces where people can come together, united in their love of live music.
“When you stream music at home, it’s just not the same thing as a small venue,” says Smithson. “You feel uplifted after a gig. It’s awe-inspiring to see the artists, the hairs on your arm go up. You become part of the experience, it’s exhilarating.”
She continues: “At small, grassroots venues, artists don’t just view the performance as being on the stage, quite often they’ll use the whole space available to them. Antony Szmierek did his first show at Night & Day and he came back. He went into the crowd and was on people’s shoulders. He got on the bar to have a dance.
“Small venues are important experiences for bands. Local lads, Elbow, who are obviously huge now, really honed their skills at Night & Day. They’ve gone on to sell out stadiums and were the first band to play at Co-op Live, which is hosting this year’s BRIT Awards.
“Co-op Live has been fantastic for us as a business because when they have really big bands on, Manchester swells with all these music lovers,” says Smithson. “They come to music venues that are open during the day and then maybe for a drink after the concert, and that’s good for us. It’s brought a new vibrancy to the city.”
Manchester’s music ecosystem can look forward to even more of a starring role when The BRIT Awards with Mastercard roll into town. The spotlight will be turned on venues small and large as a music fanbase like no other hits the streets in search of great music – and, perhaps, to catch the next big star before they are famous.
The BRIT Awards with Mastercard are being held on Saturday 28 February at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena. Watch live on ITV1 or catch up on ITVX. Mastercard is proud to sponsor The BRIT Awards, supporting music from grassroots to the global stage. Discover more at mastercard.co.uk/BRITs
