But, as Factory Records boss Tony Wilson once commented: “What Manchester does today, London does tomorrow”.
And in the Aviva Studios, home of Factory International – a nod to the city’s musical history – it has another new state-of-the-art space.
One of Wilson’s most integral bands, The Happy Mondays, were on had to give out an award at the Brits.
Beforehand, Salfordian frontman Shaun Ryder told BBC News it was “brilliant that those lazy bastards from London have decided to get off their bums and come up north for an hour or two”.
He recalled how back in the early-mid 80s, his relaxed-looking band had been told by talent scouts who had come up to take a look at them that they “didn’t have an image”.
“Then a few years later you wouldn’t get signed if you didn’t have a pair of trainers, and a hoodie on or whatever,” he smiled.
“And a pair of flared jeans,” added bandmate Mark “Bez” Berry, crucially.
It has to be a loose fit.