Albert Hall, Manchester

You'll feel the reverence the moment you step inside this converted Methodist chapel – those towering Gothic arches and jewel-toned stained glass windows create an atmosphere that's equal parts sacred and profane. The original balconies wrap around the main floor like theatre boxes, giving you brilliant sightlines whether you're watching Arctic Monkeys or catching the latest electronic act everyone's talking about. The sound system is properly dialled in, which matters when you're dealing with acoustics this challenging. Sure, it gets rammed during big gigs and the bars move at glacial pace, but there's something special about hearing your favourite band in a space that once hosted Sunday sermons. The programming strikes that sweet spot between credible bookings and acts your mates will actually know.