Manchester celebrates its rock music history with photographic exhibition: There is a Light That Never Goes Out

Words: Ellie Ward

If you happen to be in or near Manchester over the next four months and are interested in the Manchester music scene, then a trip to the exhibition at the city's Central Library will bring you to the likes of Oasis, Joy Division, Buzzcocks, IAMDDB, Pale Waves and more - in photo form at least.

They are amongst the artists featured in There is a Light That Never Goes Out: A photographic celebration of Manchester’s rock-music history: a unique exhibition by the UK’s leading music photographers to honour Manchester’s music heritage.

From the rise of punk, Factory Records, The Hacienda, the Madchester years and beyond, this exhibition is a retrospective of Manchester’s huge influence and continuing importance on the rock music scene. It also includes images from the One Love Manchester concert that followed the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.

Curated by photographer Jill Furmanovsky, she said on choosing those to appear in There Is A Light That Never Goes Out - which takes its name from a song by The Smiths - she had given "priority to the revolutionary Manchester bands that had a massive impact. We start with the Manchester punk scene and go through The Stone Roses, The Smiths and obviously Oasis."

Music photographers represented include Manchester-based Kevin Cummins, Pennie Smith, Paul Slattery, Steve Double, Peter Walsh and Howard Barlow.

The exhibition is situated on the First Floor Exhibition Hall at Manchester Central Library, St Peters Square, M2 5PD and runs until February 22 2019.
Opening times: Mon-Thurs 9am-8pm; Fri & Sat 9am-5pm (not open Bank Holidays). Entry is free.