Andy Burnham, the Labour MP for Makerfield and frontrunner to become the next Prime Minister, has shared his musical preferences in a recent interview, blind-ranking his favourite British bands. The exercise saw Britpop legends Oasis claim the top spot, a choice that aligns with Burnham's well-documented appreciation for Manchester's vibrant music scene.
Following Oasis, Elbow secured the second position on Burnham's list, with Courteeners coming in third. Wolf Alice was placed fourth, a decision Burnham attributed to a desire for caution, not knowing which bands would appear next in the ranking. Rounding off his top five was The Smiths, though Burnham indicated he might have ranked them higher had he known the full selection beforehand.
Burnham's connection to music extends beyond personal preference. He notably used Oasis's track 'Some Might Say' in a recent by-election campaign video and previously quoted The Courteeners during his Greater Manchester mayoral election victory speech in 2021. His commitment to the music industry is further demonstrated by his involvement in Manchester's Beyond The Music event.
Later this year, from 6th to 9th October, Burnham will participate in Beyond The Music 2026, an initiative he helped found. This event aims to address critical issues facing creative industries, bringing together figures from music, technology, film, gaming, and politics. Burnham is scheduled to convene the 'All Content Global AI Summit' during the conference, which he confirmed would continue to explore challenges within the music sector through keynotes, industry showcases, and networking.
The politician has consistently advocated for supporting grassroots music venues and emerging artists. In 2024, he expressed strong support for a proposed £1 levy on arena and stadium gigs, as well as Coldplay's decision to donate 10% of their 2025 UK stadium show profits to grassroots music. He has also previously highlighted the detrimental impact of Brexit on touring musicians' careers, stressing the need for Westminster to address these concerns.