UK music

From blues to punk and garage, the UK’s music scene is eclectic and diverse. Take the Mercury prize, recently awarded to the indie band Alt-J. Previous winners include acts as distinct as Ms. Dynamite, Antony and the Johnsons and Talvin Singh. The MOBOs (Music of Black Origin) awards are equally prestigious, recognising the outstanding achievements of artists performing in genres ranging from gospel, jazz and RnB to soul, reggae and hip-hop.

Recording history

The explosion of popular music in the UK can be traced back to the blues boom of the 1950s. In the 1960s British pop and rock acts changed youth culture around the world forever with bands such as The Beatles, The Who and Led Zeppelin attracting a global following. In the 1970s the rise of punk and glam made The Clash, Elton John, David Bowie worldwide stars.

Duran Duran, Wham! and Spandau Ballet topped the charts in many countries in the 1980s, while Britpop was one of the UK's most famous exports in the 1990s, with bands like Blur and Oasis inspiring loyal followings in their fans. In recent years, UK female artists have taken the rest of the world by storm, with singers such as Adele and Amy Winehouse becoming household names.

Mapping the scene

Looking at the size of the UK, it's amazing how such a small country can be home to so many different musical genres. Many of the its regions and cities have distinctive music scenes, inspired by the famous bands formed there.

One of the most famous musical cities in the UK is Liverpool, often referred to as the ‘City of Pop’. It was here that The Beatles famously played their first gig at the Cavern Club. Other notable past musical residents include Echo and The Bunnymen, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, The Zutons and Ladytron.

Northern neighbour Manchester saw the rise of the home-grown ‘Madchester’ music scene in the 1980s and 1990s, with bands such as The Stone Roses, New Order and The Charlatans blending rock and dance music into something totally new. Leeds is home to The Kaiser Chiefs, while bands as different as Duran Duran and Black Sabbath hail from Birmingham.

Bristol's vibrant music scene came to world-wide attention in the 1990s with the emergence of the trip-hop genre. Artists such as Tricky and Portishead helped pave the way for the success other local bands, spanning a range of genres from dubstep to indie and classical.

From the music halls popular during the 19th century to today’s mega stadiums such as the 02 arena, London has seen it all. Artists as diverse as Radiohead to Dizzie Rascal and Iron Maiden to The Spice Girls have all played world famous gigs in this booming capital, making it a great place to discover UK music. Every night hundreds of performers entertain crowds in venues ranging from pubs and clubs to huge arenas such as ExCeL London and Earl's Court.

Glasgow and Edinburgh are the main stops for touring bands in Scotland, playing at popular venues such as the SECC, Usher Hall and the Voodoo Rooms. Recent artists hailing from Scotland who have had global success include include Franz Ferdinand, Mylo and Calvin Harris.

Snow Patrol, from Northern Ireland, have had considerable chart success in recent years, and Belfast venues such as the Limelight and Ulster Hall host performers from a huge range of genres each year. Wales has had its own significant share of recent musical success, with bands including Stereophonics and Lostprophets winning awards. The Motorpoint Arena, in Cardiff, and The Garage in Swansea are popular venues here.

Festivals

Another great way to explore the UK music scene is to attend a festival. Have a look at our guide to festivals for more information.

You can also discover a number of festivals - and many other events around the UK - using the This is GREAT Britain interactive calendar.