Sound Investments: Finding your perfect home in England’s live music capitals

Your guide to home-buying in England’s live music capitals

When life gets tough, few things energise you quite like some special live music. You may leave the venue with a scratchy throat, but you’ll also walk away with memories to last a lifetime. Fortunately, the UK is populated with musical cities, each with their own unique rhythm and musical identity.

Is a city populated with music venues about as important to you as a place to sleep? Join us as we explore some of the UK’s most iconic music capitals, which also double as incredible places to live.

Birmingham

Located right at the heart of England, Birmingham is a city full of musical history. Birmingham brought us the heavy metal sounds of Black Sabbath, as well as the pop rock melodies of Duran Duran. That’s just a couple of the big names that have emerged from this special city, and the impact of these influential musicians can still be felt today. There are plenty of music festivals and events throughout the year, as well as a host of great music venues. See the biggest names in the world at the O2 Academy Birmingham, or witness a majestic orchestral performance at Symphony Hall.

Manchester

Manchester’s legendary music scene pretty much speaks for itself. This is the home of iconic sounds like Oasis, The Stone Roses and Joy Division. With prominent genres like Britpop and electronic music thriving here, Manchester is a city where you’ll never have to look far for a great night out. And if it’s live music venues you seek, don’t sweat it – there’s everything from intimate indie gigs to massive arena shows. You could go from taking in the historic surroundings of the Albert Hall, to immersing yourself in dance at the Warehouse Project. Expect the unexpected.

Bristol

For music fans with edgier sensibilities, Bristol’s music scene promises one of the most eclectic experiences on this list. From the trip-hop sounds of Massive Attack to the folk-inspired tunes of Seth Lakeman, Bristol is a melting pot of musical influences. The live music venues are a mix of cosy pubs, sprawling concert halls, and lively basement raves. Whether you’re exploring the underground beats of Motion or enjoying a pint and some live folk music at The Old Duke, Bristol’s music scene is about as diverse as it gets.

London

When it comes to live entertainment, it’s hard to beat the musical delights of the capital city. There are more stadiums and music venues here than you can imagine, from the iconic Wembley Stadium to the intimate charms of areas like Dalston and Camden Town. You can see your favourite musicians at a variety of O2 venues including the O2 Arena in Greenwich, or head down to a modest jazz club in Shoreditch. Whatever your music tastes are, London has something for you.

Brighton

Music might not be the first thing that jumps to mind when you think of Brighton – usually it’s the charms of the seaside. But what you might not know is that it’s home to a vibrant music scene that is well worth a look. Head down to The Great Escape Festival for some punk rock sensibilities, or take in an intimate acoustic set at The Prince Albert. Brighton is surrounded by jumping music venues, including the Concorde 2 and the Mesmerist, which specialises in live jazz. For music fans looking for something a bit unique, Brighton is a city that truly delivers.

Liverpool

Liverpool is known to many as the birthplace of The Beatles, but that isn’t where the city’s musical influence ends. With iconic venues like the Cavern Club and the prestigious Liverpool Philharmonic Hall to explore, this is a city steeped in history and full of exciting live music. You can catch musical superstars at the legendary Echo Arena, or the more modest surroundings of the O2 Academy. And of course, you also have the chance to follow in the footsteps of The Beatles themselves, heading down to Penny Lane or learning more at The Beatles Story Museum!

With plenty of musical cities to choose from, you might find it tough to narrow it down to just one. But at Share to Buy, we make your choice easier with a selection of new-build apartments and houses across England, including popular cities like London, Manchester and Birmingham. Available through alternative homeownership schemes including Shared Ownership, get your home-buying journey underway using our property portal.