The Manchester College students curate playlists for Manchester Airport bar

Students from The Manchester College have collaborated with Avolta, the global travel experience leader, to revive the original spirit of Amber Ale at Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2.  

Following the official ribbon-cut opening of the refreshed Amber Alehouse in March 2026, students were commissioned to curate bespoke playlists that celebrate Manchester’s rich musical heritage and enhance the customer experience in the newly transformed venue. 

The playlists will showcase artists and genres synonymous with Manchester and the surrounding areas. Students have been tasked with designing diverse selections tailored to different times of day and moods, from early-morning chill to upbeat evening energy. Their goal is to provide enough variety to keep guests and staff engaged throughout the bar’s 19-hour operating schedule. 

This real-world project offers students an invaluable opportunity to apply their skills beyond the classroom. From aligning music choices with brand identity to ensuring variety within the playlist options, they are gaining hands-on experience in the hospitality and entertainment sectors.  

Heidi Barlow, Head of Business Development and Brand Relationships at Avolta, said: 

“We're so pleased The Manchester College agreed to work with us on such an important part of our Amber Alehouse refurbishment project - this is a Manchester music bar so it was essential we reached out to locally-based, music enthusiasts to help us curate the iconic playlist.  
 
We've particularly been impressed with the thought put into segmenting the playlist into the time of day and the atmosphere we want to create for passengers - the students fully understood the brief and smashed it!"

 Partnering with a local college on this project demonstrates how important Manchester is to the success of what we operate at Manchester Airport and how Avolta values partnerships with local communities.

Music Department Team Leader, Rose Durbin, added:

 The entire Music Department collaborated with Manchester Airport to create bespoke playlists for millions of travelers.  
 
This real-world brief allowed students to apply classroom skills while developing creativity, research, teamwork, and brand-focused thinking. Curating music for a major public venue challenged them to consider mood, audience and storytelling in new ways.  
 
Seeing their work showcased in such a high-profile space is a proud achievement and a powerful industry experience for our learners.

Music Performance, student, Jake Gaskell, said:  

“As a collective we decided to do upcoming indie and indie rock bands in Manchester, we felt that now these genres are huge. We had to include the likes of Alex Spencer as he is from our college and has some awesome tracks. 
 
“The biggest challenge was trying to stick to the same genres and vibes while also trying to make the playlist different, which meant picking tracks that aren’t too similar but still are of the same vibe. 
 
“It feels great; I’m super pleased that our hard work will benefit the wider community and the small artists we’ve added to this playlist. I’ve learned about collaborating with others. 
 
“I had to work with my whole class it allowed me to learn about compromise with others and helped me develop my leadership and communication skills.” 

Amber Ale has been a staple at the airport since 2019, serving food and drinks nearly round the clock. Now, with a major extension underway - doubling its capacity to around 200 covers - the bar is undergoing a full transformation. Alongside refreshed interiors and updated menus, music will play a pivotal role in creating an authentic Manchester vibe, thanks to the creativity of the students. 

As such, the student curated playlists play a pivotal role in shaping the atmosphere throughout the day.  This partnership not only enhances the airport experience but also demonstrates Avolta’s commitment to supporting local talent and fostering industry-ready skills among students. 
 
Now officially launched, the revamped Amber Alehouse welcomes passengers into a refreshed space that celebrates Manchester’s music culture.  

Explore the music courses available at The Manchester College and apply today.