The Fall — Band on the Wall, Manchester

Band on the Wall in Manchester's Northern Quarter was one of The Fall's most important early venues, and a hub for the post-punk scene that Mark E. Smith and his revolving band of collaborators helped define. The Fall formed in Prestwich, Manchester in 1976 and quickly became fixtures of the city's live circuit, with Smith's caustic, literary, rhythmically hypnotic approach to rock setting them apart from virtually every other band of the era. Their early Manchester performances drew comparisons with no one — and influenced nearly everyone who came after.

Mark E. Smith was born in Salford and grew up in Prestwich. His working-class background, voracious reading habits, and almost militant commitment to anti-slickness shaped The Fall's aesthetic across a staggering 32 studio albums recorded between 1979 and 2018. The band had over 60 members in that time, with Smith the only constant, and they were championed by BBC DJ John Peel who declared them his favourite band. Songs like "Totally Wired," "Hex Enduction Hour" and "Mr. Pharmacist" established a template for post-punk that echoes through British music to the present day.

Band on the Wall at 25 Swan Street has operated since the 1970s and continues as one of Manchester's most respected music venues. The Northern Quarter neighbourhood where it sits is now closely associated with Manchester's music heritage. Mark E. Smith passed away on January 24, 2018 in Prestwich — close to where he was born — and a blue plaque was erected in his honour in Prestwich.