"At last, an app that celebrates Manchester's incredible music history... and about bloomin' time!"

In our home city of Manchester, we build on a world‑famous musical legacy - exploring, celebrating, and preserving its rich heritage. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Manchester Music Mooch invites everyone to experience the city through its sound, tracing over a century of grassroots music culture and creativity.

★★★★★ "It's a fabulous way to see the city." App Store review


 'hologram' Luke Una presents the Northern Quarter in the app


Manchester’s musical heritage matters. It reminds us where culture comes from, inspires what comes next, and keeps the city’s spirit alive. Venues close, scenes shift, memories fade - the Mooch exists to make sure these stories don’t. Our goal is to help everyone explore, learn from, and feel the ongoing impact of Manchester’s past and present sounds.

We at Dig understand that without grassroots venues a city's music scene will become stagnant - it is places like The Ritz, Band on the Wall, The Boardwalk, The Roadhouse and music outlets such as Fat City Records that keep music young, giving a platform to experiment, make mistakes and hone a craft. That's what the Mooch is all about, a celebration of the small but great - places that allow room for musicians, DJs, producers and crews to get better and better, and sometimes (and let's face it, in Manchester more than most cities), the best.


★★★★★ "The interactive features allow you to immerse yourself in the music and history without it being too complicated." App Store review
Mooch Radio


The app itself is totally free to use and takes users on a guided tour across the city centre, exploring 17 locations important to Manchester's music culture. Hologram-style presenters from the city's great and good give context to each area and there's plenty of interactive and immersive experiences to delight people of all ages, both locals and visitors. The app even includes a built-in, easy-to-use music studio, allowing users to create their own piece of Manchester music made from loops created and curated by local artists. Whilst on the Mooch, users can tune into Mooch Radio and listen along to five superb playlists put together specially for the app. 




Like its sister project Echo Salford, the Mooch is more than an app and website. During its production sits a diverse programme of modules and side projects developed between summer 2024 and February 2026. More than 300 students took part in hands‑on media training and local heritage work, gaining real‑world experience while shaping new creative pathways.

A well-rounded heritage project

The project was conceived by Dig Media, developed with 1Up Studios, and powered by contributions from artists, students, and communities across the city. Working with cultural organisations and local partners, we’ve uncovered untold stories, supported emerging talent, and opened routes into media and music careers for the next generation.



Manchester Music Mooch map

The Manchester Music Mooch is live now - a free, permanent digital experience for locals and visitors to explore the city in a new, dynamic way.

Suitable for all ages. Even the grandparents will dig it.

Manchester Music Mooch Website