Manchester's Aviva Studios solidify position as top destination for music and arts industry

Since its opening in October 2023, Aviva Studios has rapidly become a major cultural destination in Manchester, attracting over 1.5 million visitors. The venue is redefining creative experiences by uniting music, theatre, gaming, and visual arts under one roof.

Designed by acclaimed architect Ellen van Loon, Aviva Studios boasts versatile spaces with state-of-the-art acoustics, offering both global and local artists unprecedented opportunities to experiment and perform. John McGrath, artistic director and CEO of Factory International, describes it as a venue of the future where traditional art boundaries are dissolved, allowing musicians, visual artists, and performers to collaborate seamlessly.

The non-profit organization behind Aviva Studios, Factory International, also produces the Manchester International Festival and emphasizes commissioning new interdisciplinary works. This approach positions the venue as a cultural landmark in Northern England.

Externally, Aviva Studios impresses with an industrial aesthetic that integrates surrounding arches and bridges. Internally, three main spaces the ground floor, warehouse, and auditorium are highly adaptable, equipped with moveable acoustic walls to host a wide range of events.

McGrath highlights that each artist using the venue expands its creative possibilities. The opening season featured Danny Boyles Free Your Mind, inspired by The Matrix, and a Radiohead adaptation of Shakespeares Hamlet. Notable recent events include Marina Abramovis Balkan Erotic Epic and a collaborative skateboarding project with Adidas called Build Manchester.

Aviva Studios has also hosted live-streamed shows with Amazon Music featuring acts like Bastille, Franz Ferdinand, and Mumford & Sons. Most recently, Grammy-winner Corinne Bailey Rae performed at an intimate Billboard U.K. Live event, including a fan Q&A session. Upcoming 2026 events include Halsey, Fatboy Slim, Basement Jaxx, Kesha, Big Thief, and Lily Allens West End Girl show.

Locals praise the venues welcoming atmosphere and high-quality production. Caitie Inson, who attended FKA Twigs headline show, noted its openness and the variety of events on offer.

Aviva, the multinational insurance company, invested in the studio to foster community engagement. Tom Whiteside, head of group sponsorship at Aviva, emphasizes programs such as Factory Academy, offering hands-on training in music promotion and technical skills. The venue also launched a 10 ticket initiative, making events more accessible to students, seniors, and low-income residents.

The partnership between Aviva and Factory International aims to ensure that the venue serves the community, combining accessibility with cultural innovation. Factory International honors Manchesters musical heritage while prioritizing forward-looking artistic collaboration. Initiatives like the Neighbourhood Organisers program and various fellowships support community involvement and artist development.

Accessibility remains a core focus. Aviva Studios provides neurodivergent and disabled audiences with captioned, audio-described, relaxed, and BSL-interpreted performances. Plans are underway to open a dedicated quiet space within the venue.

McGrath concludes, Factory International brings the most exciting new works to Aviva Studios, making it a place where innovative performances are created and experienced for the first time.

Author: Olivia Parker