The Academy is so much better to see bands than the Ritz it baffles me why anyone chooses to play there,money talks I suppose. Everything about it as a venue is better apart from the choice of booze,Tuborg???? I didn't know they still made the stuff! Never had a bad experience here and long may that continue.... read more

I have seen a few concerts at the Manchester Academy before. There are 3 concert halls altogether and they are all good intimate venues right in the heart of the Universities on Oxford Road. They have had everyone from Kylie to Prince to the very recent Brandon Flowers perform here. Tickets prices are quite reasonably priced depending who you're going to see, its nice to see that they have a great selection of draft beers to choose from and not that badly priced. So keep an eye out to see if you're favourite artist is going to perform at this great little venue. read more

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Huge space and some simple yet very impressive light effects, it's a great venue for a biggish act. I was also shocked by the range of cider which included bottles and on tap - and not that expensive either! Obviously the main stage is not the place for your cool alternative indie gig but they have some seriously legit acts who've made it big playing here too and in general it's an asset to the Manchester music scene. I went here to see The 1976 who aren't really my thing (got tickets from a friend who couldn't go) but I had a fun time and enjoyed seeing the uni girls (who are now TEN years younger than me - awful) going so screamy excited! read more

Manchester Academy - The 1976 - Music Venues Near Me - Manchester, XGM

I hold my hands up: I'm extremely late to this gig-going game, having only really started actively seeing live music in Manchester in the last couple of years. This was my second visit to the Academy, to watch heavy metal demi-gods Machine Head no less, so it was about as extreme an event I've bought a ticket for so far! As a venue, I thought it was pretty good; entry was quick and straightforward (the security may ask to search you before you go in but I had absolutely no issue with that). In the main room itself you can find enough space to stand comfortably whilst in the crowd (something I wouldn't even have thought about in my 20s!). For a venue which holds a couple thousand people it still felt quite intimate which I liked. If you're a fan of moshing and circle pits then make your way towards the stage. Top tip: give your phone and wallet/purse to a friend first otherwise you'll probably lose it whilst slamdancing. As with all music venues, the bar stocks grossly overpriced and underwhelming beers, so do what we do and have a few before you arrive (The Deaf Institute or Kro are nearby). For gigs in the city, Manchester Academy is one of the longest serving and with good reason. read more

Manchester Academy - Machine Head - Music Venues Near Me - Manchester, XGM

If you haven't been to the Academy and you live in Manchester there's something wrong with you. Be it a hatred of excellent live music or agrophobia. Everyone has a story of when they saw someone who has since gone stellar play Academy Three; a friend of mine saw Kasabian there with a crowd of around ten. My best memory so far of the Academy was Academy One: it was an NME Tour and it must have been about four years ago. I paid about £15 for the ticket because I was quick off the mark, beating all the touts. For that princely sum I saw (in this order) Kaiser Chiefs, Bloc Party, The Futureheads and, headlining, The Killers. Plus Brandon Flowers stuck two fingers up at my friend and I on the front row making us swoon. Not expensive but not cheap drinks, Tshirts on the pavement outside but none of thats really important. The Academy is definitely a memory maker. read more

Manchester Academy - Music Venues Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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A Manchester standard. It's not so much "Have you been?" or "Do you like it?" as it is "Who did you see last?" "When are you going next?". If you haven't been then you are probably reading my review through the powers of a medium in a back alley seance as you are not from these times. If they do melodic things with instruments then they've stood on this stage. read more

Manchester Academy - Music Venues Near Me - Manchester, XGM

A note to managers everywhere: If your band have only sold 25-50% of tickets for a show at Manchester Academy, ask the promoter if you can downscale to the smaller Manchester Academy 2 instead. I've been to see a handful of gigs here which were well under capacity and even the most ardent fans looked gutted. The fact the venue looks and feels like a bad airport hanger is the main problem, followed by the way the sound bounces off the walls when it's empty! If a gig is full or sold out however, the Academy is a great venue for bands to play - and fans to go and rub shoulders with 2,000 other music lovers. The width of the venue means it's easy to negotiate your way through the crowd and find a place you can stand and dance / jump up and down. Occasionally, you might encounter a bunch of gnarly drunks but most of the time the audience is there solely for the music and to have a good time. I've seen everyone from PJ Harvey and Sonic Youth to The Pixies at Manchester Academy and had a blast each time. Of course I'd rather drink my bourbon from a glass than a plastic tumbler but at least they sell good quality bourbon, vodka and rum! Roll on March and gigs from The XX and Paloma Faith! The 50ft Queen in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq80kK2rajk&feature=related read more

If you'd have asked me a couple of years ago what I thought of the Academy, I probably would have said that it wasn't one of my favourite Manchester music venues, but you know what - now I would! Seeing Queens of the stone age here (as opposed to in the Arena last year which was soulless) and Prince and being able to watch from about 5 rows deep and seeing everything on stage as really changed my perspective. Ok so it's a bit of a box and a dark box at that, but it's easy to get in and out of, there's plenty of bars, they actually now sell 3 different types of craft beer (£4.50 a bottle which is a bit steep but what can you do...) and again - it's not the Arena! I'd have no hesitation going to see a band here again, in fact I'd welcome it. They also usually keep some tix back for sale on the door even if gigs are sold out in advance online so worth queueing up and seeing how many are available if your fave is in town. read more

I first came to the Academy about 10 years ago to see Gomez. I have really fond memories of that night, so when I returned to see The Kooks last weekend, I was expecting a similar experience. Alas, it was cramped and full of teenagers, pushing and shoving their way past me every two minutes. And it's a bloody good job I was nowhere near the front - plastic cups full of beer were being pelted at people throughout the gig. I know it's not the venue's fault but I do think more should be done to prevent this sort of behaviour. I've decided the next gig I go to will be some obscure band or one whose fans are middle aged. I can't tell you how much I despise the youth of today. Grrrrrrr! On a more positive note, the Academy does put on some really good bands so it's worth checking out their website or grabbing a program to see what's on over the next few months. read more

Unfortunately, the Academy is alone for a venue of its size in the fine music city of Manchester. So in that respect, it serves a purpose. Past that... meh. It's a soulless warehouse, a vacant box - I even did a few exams in here at Uni (and for that purpose I give it 2 stars, lighting is far too dim to write in!!). It's a tad echoy, so best to be up the front if you can help it. The bar is pretty standard with the dreaded Tuborg. On the bright side, if you want to meet the band, the Academy is a great venue for it. The stage door opens into a public road around the back of the venue, so unless the band have hired security, you should be able to walk straight up to any artist you choose. And if you miss them, chances are they've gone for a pint at Big Hands next door. read more

I've been to a few gigs at Manchester Academy. It's very convenient to where I work and a lot of decent a varied bands get scheduled. Last night I went to see Dropkick Murphys Celtic Punk Invasion Tour, obviously scheduled to coincide with the Manchester Irish Festival which runs at this time of year. Sometimes the service at the bars can be a bit sketchy as nearly all the staff are students from the university and some I'm sure it's their first paid work. On this occasion however, all the staff were on form and queues even inside the main hall were kept pretty low throughout. I'm not sure how much this can be attributed to the introduction of the 2 pint glass. Yes that's correct, it's a growing trend in student unions around the country apparently to do just that reduce queues at the bar, it seems to have worked, I also found I nestled the drink for the last half of the support right through to the last 20 minutes of the main act. They also have a decent selection of beer for a large venue, where they have the standard lagers and ciders but also a selection of Rekorderlig ciders, Robinsons Trooper and some a couple of Brightside's available from the bottle. They even have a collaboration Brightside called Academy American IPA which is unfortunately kegged but still a far superior drop of beer to your Carlsberg's or Beck's stuff. The sound in The Academy is pretty decent and you can be as close or as far away from the bands and have an enjoyable experience. I won't comment on the crowd except to say they were a bit better than normal, but this can vary so greatly depending on the band you're seeing it's not really something you can rate a venue for. The security used are pleasant and not overly agressive and I think that says more about the place than any particular crowd at an event. read more

Ah, the famous Manchester Academy. Far larger than its baby brother Club Academy, this is where you can see the likes of bands when they're just hitting their peak or haven't quite got large enough to pack out the MEN Arena. Which is often the best time to catch them. I attended my first proper gig here and have been many times since. It has a buzzing atmosphere and is the largest of the Academy venues (things can get confusing here... this is Academy 1 as it's often colloquially referred to, Academy 2 occupies the second floor of the Students' Union, and Academy 3 is situated on the third floor. There, when you remember it like that, it isn't so hard, is it?), located in the prime live music spot of Manchester's redbrick university. The venue is steeped in history. It's seen some utterly incredible names, from Bolton's Buzzcocks, the first ever band to play here, to Pink Floyd, The Cure, Nirvana, Britrock rivals Blur and Oasis (although obviously not at the same time... how cool would that have been though? Battle of the bands who so obviously despise one another? I'd have paid double), Manic Street Preachers and the Prodigy. Physically, the venue is literally nothing more than a space in which to stand while you watch your heroes do their thing, a few bars littered about, a good large stage and nothing more. But sometimes that's all you need. The frenetic atmosphere that accompanies every show I've ever seen here more than makes up for its austere physicality. Be careful though, in my experience the bouncers are less than forgiving. I got treated terribly when I first came here - admittedly a naive teenager vomiting is something doormen have to deal with every day, but in all honesty not one drop of alcohol had passed my lips and I was suffering from heat exhaustion. I wasn't used to moshpits, I was a skinny little girl! The harsh comments I received when I went to get air did nothing to calm my nerves, and I do feel like telling bouncers that a little friendliness goes a long way for newcomers to the city. If only I'd have seen Knocked Up before I went. I could have given him the whole, 'You're just a doorman. DOORMAN!!!' speech. God bless Leslie Mann. She says what we're all thinking. read more

One of the smallest 'big' venues going, or maybe it's the biggest 'small' venue. Essentially it's a big square box, and even from the back of the room, the view is great. You still get lots of big names playing here, giving a real intimate performance, QOTSA for example. We seen Weezer last night, and they were amazing. They've a new album out at the moment but they only played a few new tracks (which were very good, very similar 'sound' to previous offerings) and apart from that they stuck to the hits, getting the crowd jumping. Beer was reasonably priced (compared to Apollo/Arena/Albert Hall), and the only drawback was that it wasn't warm, it was hot. Almost stiflingly so. Nonetheless, this is a top venue to see bands in, especially this year as it's the 25th anniversary, so there are some great gigs coming up. read more

Manchester Academy is one of the city's flagship music venues and a place every band wants to get to if they've worked their way up through the several smaller 'Academy' venues. The room is cavernous and holds a good 2000 people. The stage is wide and high, meaning that you get a great view from pretty much wherever you're standing. I went for XFM's Winter Wonderland, and thanks to some nice contacts I have, managed to get in the backstage bar and therefore on the balcony at the back of the room. From here, the sound and view is great. The gig hosted UK indie acts like Delphic, Frank Turner, Liam Fray and The Cribs. I went down the front for Frank Turner and he sounded really great, lit well on stage with just an acoustic guitar and microphone stand for company. Like all music venues of this nature, the drinks are expensive and you'll be drinking them out of those really unsatisfying plastic glasses. And, if you're watching someone like Liam Fray from the Courteeners, the Manchester lads will start throwing them over each other in due course. read more

Manchester Academy is alright. If you're going to see someone you absolutely love then you'll probably have a good time, but if not then you'll probably be a little disappointed with the venue, drinks and prices. Its incredibly loud. Perhaps I'm getting old but on the two occaisions I've been there to see a gig I've actually felt like I would have enjoyed myself more if it wasn't so absolutely ridiculously loud in there. Its also a horrendous amount per beer, and these taste warm and come in flimsy plastic glasses. I guess its inevitable at a big gig but I have to say its not great. Also the queues are ridiculously big. And full of 14 year old Goths and Emos. Urgh. Manchester Academy is alright. If you're going to see someone you absolutely love then you'll probably have a good time, but if not then you'll probably be a little disappointed with the venue, drinks and prices. Its incredibly loud. Perhaps I'm getting old but on the two occaisions I've been there to see a gig I've actually felt like I would have enjoyed myself more if it wasn't so absolutely ridiculously loud in there. Its also a horrendous amount per beer, and these taste warm and come in flimsy plastic glasses. I guess its inevitable at a big gig but I have to say its not great. Also the queues are ridiculously big. And full of 14 year old Goths and Emos. Urgh. read more

Manchester Academy...By far my most favourite venue of all time. The scale of this venue is perfect for any band, with a bar situated on the right middle of the venue, and the cloak room at the far back. The atmosphere, and vibe you always get when you enter this venue is absolutely perfect. You can, without a doubt, always be hyped up to see a band at the Manchester Academy. If you haven't already guessed I love me some heavy music. And I've been lucky enough to see some awesome bands play here, and had my body entranced by the likes of Trivium, Murderdolls, The Defiled, In Flames, Rise to Remain have had . And no band that has ever played here has ever let me down (We will ignore the fact I've seen Black Veil Brides here - They we're support before I'm accused of blasphemy) The academy also provides a large area to stand as you appreciate the orgasmic sound from the guitar, and enough room to head-bang, mosh or even involve yourself in a couple of "Walls of death". I needn't say anymore. If you see "Manchester Academy 1" on your ticket, you better be enthusiastic about it. read more

The Academy is where I went to see all the shows that would be impossible to get into in the states. It was in fact the medium venue in town. One of three in the University student union, amongst a plethora in town. I think this is where I saw Stereolab, before the accident. Or was that in the performing arts theatre? Also the supposed farewell concert of Neil Hannon. It was a magical year, even if I didn't go to more than half the shows I should have. read more

Alexisonfire Jimmy Eat World XFM Winter Wonderland Ash Within Temptation Exams Exams? Yeah, for some reason the University of Manchester decides to have exams in this building. The dark cold windowless setting was absolutely perfect for the above gigs, but a nightmare for exams. In my opinion, not much different to before the re-furb and not quite as good as Birmingham's Academy, but still a great place to see all your favourite bands for £15-25 a time. If you can't make a gig then don't sell to the touts. They gave me £1 for a ticket once Don't buy from them either. read more

I've been to quite a few gigs at the Academy, the latest one being Maximo Park last night, whilst they were really fflipin' good, I'm not sure that I like the venue that much. The balcony bar upstairs wasn't that busy when we got there however only had 2 members of staff on and so it took me a while to get a drink, although the staff were really friendly despite being so busy and having to deal with the comments from impatient customers. The thing about gigs I can't stand is how rude some people are, there was a man at the gig yesterday that kept(what I can only assume that in his mind was) dancing; in actual fact he was flailing his arms about whacking everyone and throwing his pint about, without a care in the world. He was swiftly dealt with by security and for that, all those around him were eternally grateful. There's nothing that's really wrong with this venue, it's just that there are venues I like more. Last time I saw Maximo Park was upstairs in sound control with an audience of 500 and that in my mind was better. I'll keep going to gigs at the Academy and I will most likely enjoy them but there's just that bit of intimacy that's missing, the building has no character, but then again I suppose that makes it easier to dress up or down however the bands like. Ah well we all have to compromise, a band you really like in a venue you're not that keen on, it's a bit obvious you'll choose the band isn't it? read more

Great intimate venue. We stood at the back and you could see the stage clearly. The only down side was the drinks were really expensive. Considering it was in a student area I expected the drinks to be alot more reasonable read more

Manchester Academy - Music Venues Near Me - Manchester, XGM

The Academy has just been completely refitted, so I won't know what it's like until I see Wilco there on the 2nd November. It used to be a big, black, sticky-floored gig venue. I'm expecting much of the same, but hopefully not as black or sticky. edit: actually the gig was canceled and I don't know when I'll be watching gigs in Manchester again. Either way if you're a music-lover in Manchester then you'll inevitably end up here at least once, so you'll find out for yourself what it's like :) read more

The Manchester Academy has come a long way in the past few years. Not so long ago, it resembled a shed on steroids, and watching a gig there was a decidedly messy, noisy and - if you were ever stuck in the moshpit - painful experience. And let's not mention the toilets - horrifically grim and frequently broken, the best thing about these cesspits was the occasionally amusing graffiti on the walls. However, one huge revamp later (which led to me attending numerous gigs where I had to go outside to have a wee in a portakabin in the freezing cold) and the Manchester Academy has actually managed to become a halfway decent venue. It's spacious yet still allows you to have an intimate experience with the band on stage, it's got more bars so you don't have to queue for ages when you're trying to buy a pint between support bands and it even has its own balcony, which is great if you're a bit of a short arse like me. A great variety of artists both big and small can often be found playing here, and it tends not to be too pricey to catch a gig here - ticket prices tend to range between £10 - £20 depending upon the popularity of the act. And if that wasn't enough, it's also right slap bang next to the 42 bus stop AND a cracking little kebab shop meaning you can get some tasty grub and catch a bus home without too much bother. Or you could just pop into Big Hands next door for a post gig pint. If you're really lucky, you might even be able to catch some rock stars in there! read more

Great venue for catching big live acts - small enough so you can have a clear view of the stage but still big enough to get a good crowd in. Drinks are quite expensive but majority of concert venues tend to be! Central location on Manchester's busy Oxford Rd and parking might be difficult but train stations and bus stops are nearby read more

This place is OK but falls into the catagory that it's big enough for the security staff to be the no-nonsense types who won't listen to what you say, rather sticking to the policy of saying 'no' to anything you ask. It's basically a large rectangular room, and for music that's always going to be a problem. The acoustics just don't make for decent sound so if you are anyway further than halfway back you can't hear the music properly. I'll refer again to venues in Amsterdam and Tilburg in Holland which are designed so music sounds good no matter where you are in the venue. In the Uk we think that any sort of space with a stage at one end works, and that's the picture at The Academy, which is the same as many other places. It's better than many places I've been to, but still not good enough to satisfy serious music fans. The other venues in this complex are more intimate and therefore offer much better acoustics. read more

For some reason, I prefer watching bands at the Academy than at any of the University of Manchester's smaller venues. I've seen some amazing gigs by Patti Smith, Suede, Mansun and Super Furry Animals here - and I'm coming to see Hole here soon! Even though it's a pretty big space, gigs here tend to feel like a rather intimate affair. It's quite easy to get to the front and, wherever you stand, you can get quite a good view of the action! Mind you, you'll get the best view in the house if you can wangle an invite to the VIP balcony. Up there, there's a private bar, too. But it's not always full of famous faces. In fact, the only time I've been up there was at a B52s gig and it was packed with bikers! If you can't blag your way into the private bar, there's a large public one downstairs. However, it gets busy quickly and you might have to wait a wee while before you get served. Like any gig venue, the booze can be a little pricey, too. So you might want to have a couple at Big Hands next door before the show! read more

As well as the usual touring bands Manchester Academy used to host a monthly raving knees up called "Step Back" with the kind of druma nd bass line ups you would get in a London venue...ie lots... Haven't been there for a while so haven't got a clue about if it's been refurbished... but the venue as I went to it was a a large box with a sticky black floor, almost like a warehouse feel to it... ideal for a bunch of sweaty ravers. Syep Back itself was probably the most aggressive drum and bass club I have ever experienced, a lot of attitude, a blood and urine mixture on the toilet floor (the tolets were like a mixture between amateur boxing and amateur drum & bass mc-babblings).... I those particular club nights were cancelled (in approx. 2004) because of all the trouble which often spilled out afterwards. Having said that I still feel slightly nostalgic about the night. I believe they no longer hold any dance/club/rave-type things there anymore. read more

If live music is your thing then Manchester Academy is well worth a visit. Providing a much smaller venue than the MEN it allows you to feel much closer to the artist, and indeed the music. It is grubby, but thats kinda what you expect really, so get over it. Situated on Oxford Road it is easily accessible by the busy bus route which runs past its door. Prices for gigs are very reasonable and you can often find big name bands playing here. read more

The Academy is a collective of three gig venues situated next to Manchester University on Oxford Road the others are less imaginatively named The Academy 2 and The Academy 3. I say less imaginatively, they used to be called 'The Main Debating Hall' and 'The Hop and Grape' respectively the former gives you a clue that all the venues are on the University Campus and formed part of the Manchester Students Union. Anyway, this isn't a history lesson. Let's start at the bottom and work our way down. The Academy 3, the smallest of the three venues and situated on the top floor, is accessible via one of two stairways (one a quaint spiral one which I would advise against attempting if under the influence of anything stronger that a wine gum). Once there, you'll find yourself in an old style stage and hall set-up that, I would guess, accommodates around two hundred people. The best thing about this room is that its bar is situated along the back wall, which means you can happily get your drinks whilst watching the support band. It's usually not too crowded, there's a good choice of drinks and prices are similar to pubs. On the middle floor is The Academy 2, holding around 1000 or so people. The bar is in the adjacent room and because of its size tends to be rammed three deep in the time leading up to the gig. You can take your drinks in with you, which of course explains why I always go home smelling of Kronenburg. Downstairs is the main bar, which is usually busy at it still doubles as a main student bar (hence the pool tables and MTV). If you don't fancy plastic glasses, the popular Kro Bar is right across the road, but again will be especially busy before and after each gig. Two hundred yards down the road is the main venue, The Academy 1. It's a year or two since I went to a gig there, proof that the bands I go to see are getting fewer people going to see them. Like the others, it has been an all-standing room, and I believe there is now a gallery bar that oversees the room and stage (you have to pre-register if you want to get up there, otherwise the main bar is in the corner at the back). I seem to have gone on about bars a lot in this review, haven't I? I wonder what that means. I'm a great fan of The Academies they're all a good size to feel close enough to get that relationship with the bands, security is minimal and understands that throwing yourself around a dancehall doesn't mean you're about to become aggressive. They have a good attitude towards alcohol (there I go again), and they have acts on virtually every night of the year. There are other mid-range venues in Manchester, but without The Academies the 'scene' (sorry) wouldn't be as vibrant as it absolutely is. read more

The Acadamy offers a much more intimate night with a band as opposed to being miles away at the MEN Arena. As you can imagine, this is because of its smaller size, and as a result it often attracts much smaller upcoming bands. If you are clever though, and a good judge of music, keeping an eye out for future stars can lead you to seeing some great music at a very reasonable price. I have managed to see a lot of future stars here, such as Mika, before most have even heard of him. Tickets can come for under a tenner, so if you like live music and don't mind being pressed up to the sweaty guy next to you its well worth a visit! read more

I like the fact that this is a more intimate venue than bigger places. drinks very expensive... loos not great ;-) Took a small bottle of diet coke ( still sealed, un opened) and of course it was taken off me by security at the doors.. I understand the safety measures but when you feel forced to buy drinks inside it can be a bit annoying. read more

The Manchester Academy is one of a number of quality live-music venues around the city. I've been here on a number of occasions and caught bands such as Bloc Party, Dashboard Confessional and Brand New. Everytime I was impressed by the cheap drinks, atmosphere and acoustics. It's quite a large venue so the nearer you are to the back, the more chance you have of getting a good vantage point. It does get wuite hot and sweaty, but then what music venues don't? Another good thing is that it's usually not too hard to get a ticket for gigs here. However it's often an idea to get them on the day of release if you're looking to see a popular band. If you do miss out, there are no shortages of touts who roam outside, willing to part with their tickets for an inflated price. If you are willing to wait until the main band is about to start, you can sometimes get the tickets for less than face value from touts wanting to cut their losses!! One of the best places to catch major touring bands, the Manchester Academy is not only a haven for students, but for music lovers alike! read more

I've been lucky to see a fair few bands in all sections of the Manchester Academy from the larger scale to the more intimate and eloquent performances. Academy 1 is the largest venue situated across from the church where more prominent and big name bands play. This is a large flat room with a bar at a handy location, the size is intimate enough to get a decent view if you are not a hobbit (no offense to hobbits) and the sound carries just great. Academies 2 & 3 can be found inside the Student Union opposite Kro bar. Academy 2 is larger than 3 but both are well-equipped and suitable venues for most gigs. I saw the group 'Amiina' (four girl-group who often record with Sigur Ros) in Academy 3 and they have extremely delicate and subtle sounds utilising stringed instruments, musicial saws and water-filled wine glasses?!!! The venue handled this gig in keeping with their soft and quiet style and made for one of the best gigs I have seen in long time. I also watched a fair few heavy ska, punk and rockabilly gigs in Academy 2 which have been equally impressive in terms of sound, views and capacity. I always find that heading to the side of the stage is the best place to see the band clearly without getting crushed a the front..unless you like that kinda thing :D read more

This was my first visit to manchesyer acedemy to see galantis. Before I bought these tickets I didnt even know academy existed! However, it was a fab venue, very nice and all modern and absolutely huge compared to how small it looked from the outside, i would definitely recommend and would 100% visit again. Drinks were expensive but what concert vebue isnt? read more

I went to see the bands; dragonforce, sabaton, sylosis and glamour of the kill. It cost me somewhere in the region of £15-£20 which I felt was great value. The sound I assure you, while no engineering feat, is not bad at all. The atmosphere is dampened by the nature of the room being large and the lack of lighting near the back. If you're into new aspiring bands who can't fill the capacity, and love to put down a lot of cheap pints, you'll probably be disappointed with the lonely feel of the room and the high price of the drinks. The drinks come in plastic, are sometimes thrown upon the unsuspecting, and along with the merch are very over-priced, which is to be expected of places like this to be honest. If it's with known bands who can fill up space and you aren't too suprised by the high price of the booze you should have yourself a great time. Also be sure to empty your bowels at home or in the nearby mcdonalds because you can only begin to imagine the toilets, and the lack of toilet paper will soil your experience somewhat. I really enjoyed it, much more than when I went to london to see an international hip-hop icon, and I'd do it again, which is why I'm trying out achademy 2 soon. What's more, I saw dragonforce one of the last times before their vocalist left the band. I'm generally very happy with it all. 3 to 4 stars of 5 is what I'd rate the place. read more

Great big venue in the heart of student land, now that it's been refurbished I hope that the toilets don't flood..there is never enough barstaff either but there is enough space to get a good crowd atmosphere which makes the gigs there that extra bit special, you can easily lose your friends in the crowd! read more

This is a great venue. Set within the university district of town and actually in the student union, the drinks are cheap and even cheaper if you have a student card or pretend yoou've left yours at home. The venue itself is a nice nize too. read more

I like this place, probably the best place in manchester to see live music. Saying this you can que forever to get and drink and they could do with hiring more staff and I would deffinatly avoid the toilets towards the end of the night as they get pretty yucky! but i havent been here since the refurb so who knows the toilets could now be a princesses pamper parlour! ALSO if you dont like students this is not that place for you haha. read more

This is a brilliant place for watching bands. It is much more intimate than the arena venues, but still attracts big artists and bands. You can really have a brilliant dance to the music and get close enough to feel the sweet drip off the artist's nose. The drinks in here are cheap, much cheaper then their arena counter-parts, and they are served in the bodily harmless, but less environmentally so, plastic cups. Tickets for events are reasonable and can be purchased from the students union on oxford road. The toilets are sticky and grubby and you could do with stashing a little toilet paper in your bag! read more

This is a great venue for gigs and comedy performace. I prefer a smaller venue to a big stadium as the sound quality and atmosphere are usually better. We went to see Gomez here and it was all the better for the smaller venue. The parking isn't great so it's probably best to use public transport if you can. read more

Academy 1 is a great venue to see small touring bands. It is a very small venue which means that the atmosphere is electric and the bar is small also. Tickets are usually very cheap but the beer when you get there is a bit expensive. Definitely go if you are into small bands or if you want to see the next big thing. Highly recommended. read more