Manchester is a city inextricably linked to its musical heritage.
When our Oasis DNA exhibition finished showing at Manchester Central Library in 2017, the idea of a Manchester rock exhibition seemed a natural follow up. So in collaboration with writer, Jon Savage and help from the Manchester Digital Music Archive last year we pulled together a unique collection of over 90 photographs to display at the library.
We decided to concentrate on showing gritty images of those bands and musicians whose music is so deeply rooted in Manchester, one cannot imagine rock music or the city itself being the same without their contribution. Many of these are the bands and musicians that formed in the wake of punk, at a time when Manchester’s music scene was expanding in a unique and inimitable way. The exhibition featured shots of Joy Division, Oasis, Buzzcocks, The Smiths & Stone Roses, to name a few, by many of the UK’s most talented music photographers, including Manchester based, Kevin Cummins, Paul Slattery, Pennie Smith & Jill Furmanovsky.
In addition a number of photographers have contributed more contemporary images of the Manchester scene, giving an overall picture of Manchester’s music heritage from the mid-1970’s right up to the present day.
Our display at the library was a huge success and seen by over 38,000 visitors. So great was the local acclaim and pride in the exhibition that we want it to remain in and belong to the city, as a legacy for current and future generations to enjoy.
The exhibition has recently been re-displayed at The Market, a food market and exhibition space at the University of Manchester where it can once again be enjoyed by the people of Manchester, students and visitors.
You can visit the exhibition at:
The Market
University Place
University of Manchester
176 Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
8.00am-4.30pm Monday - Friday
Classic early shot of Joy Division rehearsing at the TJ Davidson's Rehearsal Rooms in August 1979
Ian Curtis of Joy Division performing at the Paradiso, Amsterdam in January 1980 wearing his famous 'The Sound and the Fury' t-shirt.
Morrissey wields a protestor’s placard bearing the title of The Smiths anarchic ‘Queen is Dead’ tour and album in Manchester,1986
Joy Division backstage before a gig at the YMCA London (supported by Monochrome Set) in August 1979.
Shaun Ryder from the Happy Mondays relaxing at Factory Records, Manchester in 1992
Iconic shot of Joy Division walking in the snow near Manchester Cathedral in 1979
Ian Curtis taking a break during rehearsal at the TJ Davidson's Rehearsal Room, Manchester in August 1979
The image of The Smiths outside Salford Lads' Club that graces the inner sleeve of their classic album The Queen is Dead
Ian Curtis during Joy Division rehearsal in Manchester in August 1979
New Order relaxing in a hotel room near Kings Cross, London in 1984
Iconic Strangeways Road sign from the back of the ‘Strangeways, Here We Come’ album shot in 1987.
Contact sheet of Joy Division backstage at the YMCA, London in August 1979
Punk group Buzzcocks captured under a Manchester street sign in August 1977
Buzzcocks captured in a public library whilst on a press session in Manchester in August 1977.
Noel & Liam Gallagher from Oasis backstage before performing onstage at Wembley Stadium in July 2000
Noel Gallagher tuning his guitar on the floor of Studio Two, Abbey Road Studios during the recording sessions for Be Here Now in 1996
Taken during the Oasis 'Definitely Maybe' Tour in Detroit, USA in 1995
Noel recalls "Maine Road was where we all used to go as kids. So I was standing there, trying to make sure I never forgot this moment"
Joy Division on the Princess Parkway in Hulme, Manchester in January 1979 taken by Kevin Cummins.
New Order's Bernard Sumner at home in Altrincham in 1995 during a photo shoot commissioned by The Sunday Times.
New Order in Rome whilst on the video shoot for their song 'Regret'
The Hacienda 10th Birthday party in 1992. Tony Wilson ride the dodgems as the Hacienda was decked out like a fairground
Johnny Marr & Bernard Sumner from Electronic on a photoshoot in London in December 1991
The Arctic Monkeys photographed by Kevin Westenberg at the Palácio da Justiça, Lisbon for Mojo Magazine in September 2022.
Pete Townshend throws his guitar live whilst The Who perform at Madison Square Gardens in the US, 1979.
Limited edition screen print of Amy Winehouse by artist David Studwell.
Tina Turner photographed by Brian Aris at Holborn Studios in London in 1983.
The Libertines are an English rock band, formed in London in 1997 by frontmen Carl Barât (vocals/guitar) and Pete Doherty (vocals/guitar).
Foo Fighters is an American rock band founded in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the death of Kurt Cobain.
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band who were in the vanguard of the British music Invasion that became popular in the US in 1964–65.
Pulp are considered to be one of the most innovative and popular bands of the late 20th century and key figures of Britpop
Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.
Discover our specially curated collection of limited edition prints from renowned music photographer Gered Mankowitz
Stunning collection of limited edition prints of David Bowie created by award-winning photographer Markus Klinko.
Browse our collection of popular graphic art prints including iconic images by Storm Thorgerson and stunning work by contemporary artists.
