Manchester is a city inextricably linked to its musical heritage.
When our Oasis DNA music photography 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 of limited edition music prints 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
