The Ritz

The Story

This old ballroom opened in 1927/1928, featuring a revolving stage and the famous spring-loaded dance floor, which still sways during shows today. In the 70s and 80s, it was a hotspot for disco, soul, funk, and electronic music. On October 4, 1982, The Smiths played their very first show there, a short set of only four songs, to an audience of just over ten people, mostly friends of guitarist Johnny Marr. Over the decades, The Ritz has hosted Happy Mondays, The Stone Roses, New Order, R.E.M., Rage Against the Machine, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Liam Gallagher chose the same stage to relaunch his career after the end of Oasis. With a capacity of 1,500, it is one of Manchester's most beloved mid-sized venues, a Grade II listed building since 1994. Still active.

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