Despite playing together since the early '90s, Elbow didn't release their debut record, Asleep In the Back, until 2001. The gestation period paid off, though, as the Manchester group is now considered rock royalty. Singer Guy Garvey's scratchy but beautiful arrangements and clever tales of late-night woe have gained the group a massive fanbase over the years. They've been nominated for three Mercury Music Prizes (winning one for 2008's The Seldom Seen Kid), and performed at the closing ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics in London. Raise a pint to Manchester's most literate rockers.