Band on the Wall Win Best Entertainment Venue at Manchester Tourism Awards 2012
At last night’s Manchester Tourism awards held at The Lowry Salford Quays, Band on the Wall was recognised as the city’s entertainment venue of the year.
The venue was chosen from the other nominees which were The Lowry Salford, Frog & Bucket Comedy Club and Palace Theatre & Opera House.
Gavin Sharp, CEO of Band on the Wall: “We are delighted to receive this award. Band on the Wall has worked hard over the last year to bring the world’s best artists to the city to one of the UK’s most friendly and welcoming venues and in doing so has attracted more than 50,000 people to enjoy its programme of live music and the city of Manchester. We now hope that even more people will come and enjoy one of the best night’s Manchester has to offer.”
As well as recognising the venue’s eclectic music programme and excellent customer service, the judges also acknowledged Band on the Wall’s other programme of activities as contributing to it being chosen as the winner. These included its acclaimed education programme of courses and classes throughout the year; its pioneering use of online Band on the Wall TV, social media, mobile apps and digital technologies to bring the Manchester live music experience to audiences across the world.
“The judges felt this legendary entertainment venue was truly innovative and reached out to a wide range of audiences. Their focus on digital activities is impressive and the community involvement is also exemplary.” Manchester Tourism Awards
Since reopening in 2009 with state-of-the-facilities, Band on the Wall has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to the UK’s live music scene with a string of awards including the Night Time Award (Manchester Tourism Awards 2010) and Best Small Venue in the North West 2011 (NME Magazine public poll). Indeed, Band on the Wall is a Manchester institution and has been one of the cornerstones of Manchester’s live music industry for the greater part of the last century (it celebrated the 80th anniversary of its music license earlier this year). Band on The Wall was at the centre of Manchester’s music scene in the late 1970s and is where Buzzcocks, The Fall and Joy Division played some of their earliest concerts. Over the years 1,000s of the world’s most loved artists have performed there. It has a global reputation for showcasing a vast array of accomplished and respected artists and musical genres from around the world and is recognised as a venue that promotes equality and diversity through music.
Band on the Wall is a registered charity run on a not-for-profit basis. It acknowledges the support of Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund and Manchester City Council.