"The Cold City of Great Modern Rock Bands" Greater Manchester by mydreamquest

Greater Manchester Travel Guide: 2,197 reviews and 4,992 photos

Just outside the hotel I stayed at in Manchester

Manchester in December 2001

Being a lover of the English Music scene, specifically, a huge fan of the many great Manchester Bands such as The Smiths, The Chameleons, Joy Division, and The Stone Roses, I traveled across the world to see how this region developed such great music. I also have many friends from Manchester and had a remarkable time. The winter was cold, but the good times in the poetically loud pubs of England was in itself inspirational.

Piccadilly Station

Piccadilly Station in Manchester

To be honest, I took this picture but I cannot recall where it was but do remember it being Piccadilly Station.

I visited England to see one band, the Chameleons who were touring the country for the first time since 1986 or so. Online at a web site for fans of the Chameleons, I made many friends from over there.

While I lived in San Francisco, I didn't know many people who shared my love for this band. Thanks to the internet, I befriended many people and had a wonderful adventure that began in a December Vienna, a plane to Frankfurt, a train to Cologne and then Thaly's train transfer into Liege, Belgium, and finally, from Brussels into Manchester.

On the first day, which I unfortunately didn't take pictures, I took a long train ride to York, where I saw the band perform in Fibbers, York.

The pictures here were my return to Manchester, where I spent 3 days.

The air of an ephemeral Winter Mancunian day is crisp and refreshing. But it was also biting.

Manchester in December is one very cold city to explore.

Along in the Suburb of Middleton

A Roundabout in Middleton in Greater Manchester

Via Car, my English friends Cath and Bloke (I can't remember his real name) drove us into Middleton to go to the Middle Civic Center where the Chameleons would perform.

Middleton is a quiet suburb within Greater Manchester. This picture was taken in a sort of interesting roundabout. I took the picture because Rochdale is where The Chameleons grew up.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to visit Liverpool. One day, I hope to go there.

This roundabout reminded me of the one in Slough that is shown in the beginning of "The Office" that great English comedy TV show that was around for a couple of years.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Great music, Amiable people, a mecca for lovers of Modern Rock
Cons:Freezing in the Winter;
In a nutshell:The City that gave birth to The Smiths, Joy Division, Doves, Oasis, and Radiohead