If you’re heading to Manchester any time soon and are a fan of the city’s rich music scene, there’s a great way to get an inside line… with a tour of the main Madchester sights led by Inspiral Carpets drummer Craig Gill (above).
Gill, who still plays with the reformed band, does the tours as a day job – offering fans a first-hand view on iconic spots in the city, from the Free Trade Hall which hosted the infamous Sex Pistols Manchester gig that launched a thousand careers despite there being only around 50 people there, to the Boardwalk, where Oasis and the Happy Mondays used to rehearse and play.
Other stops include The Hacienda, the Factory Records building, Dry 201, G-Mex and The Midland Hotel, in front of which The Smiths did some early publicity shots, as well as Sackville Street, name-checked on the Inspirals’ first album.
At each, Craig offers a host of rich anecdotes, including tales from when a certain Noel Gallagher used to roadie for the Inspirals.
Craig offers two-hour walking tours of the city and bespoke tours specific to Oasis, Joy Division, the Stone Roses and The Smiths – with the latter giving exclusive access to the Salford Lads Club, featured on the cover of The Queen is Dead.
Tours start from £10 per head.
