Manchester photos: Street art, Gullivers, Cock Cat, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

I recently had the pleasure of a short trip to Manchester to play a gig, and managed to grab some photos as I shimmied around town.

One of the first things I saw upon my arrival was this carefully drawn penis on top of a gig poster. Which I liked.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

The fourth busiest station in the UK outside London, Manchester Piccadilly undertook a huge £100m refurbishment in 2002, leaving it with an efficient but utterly soulless terminus. []

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Clearly punters legging it from taxis is a big thing in Manchester!

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

The amazing levitating sign.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

The Daily Express Building, located on Great Ancoats Street, is a striking Grade II listed building designed by engineer, Sir Owen Williams. It was built in 1939 to house one of three Daily Express offices; the other two similar buildings are located in London and Glasgow. See a photo of the London office here.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Street art.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Homage to the 1971 American blaxploitation action-crime, Shaft.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Erected in June 1999, the ‘New Broom’ sculpture by George Wyllie is a painted steel and stone creation located on the corner of John Street and Thomas Street. It was commissioned when the Northern Quarter was being regenerated and is a reference to the area being cleaned-up, a process that is still ongoing. []

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Bumbag Good Life. OK!

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

The former wholesale fish market in the Northern quarter.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Old shop doorway.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Oooh, everyone loves a bit of hanky panky!

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Specialising in the sounds of Manchester back to the 1950s, Vinyl Revival can be found at 5 Hilton St, Manchester M4 1LP.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Homage to Manchester legend, Tony Wilson, co-founder of Factory Records and the founder and manager of the Haçienda nightclub.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Disused warehouses in the Northern Quarter.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Butty Bar on Tib Street.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Bowie street artwork.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

We stopped off for a bit at the Koffee Pot. The food was decent enough (and the beer excellent) but the vibes were a little strained thanks to a wilfully obscure DJ lurking in the corner who insisted in playing Music To Make You Want To Murder Someone through a grating PA that made a smartphone’s speaker sound like a Funktion One soundsystem.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Dating back to at least 1811, the former Edinburgh Castle pub in Blossom Street closed some time ago and there seems little prospect of it reopening. Read more here.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

A distinctly old school kind of boozer, The City on Oldham Street drew this response on the BITE website:

After bolting from the hipster coolness of the Castle down the road I found this place. Not hip & not cool, and not the sort of pub you recommend to your maiden aunt. Customers were mostly sozzled or stoned & those who could talk did so in that loud fashion of the intoxicated, positive the world wants to hear their opinions. And this was around 3pm on a week day.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

The Monochrome Set were playing Gullivers further down the road, and it’s a splendid pub with a live room upstairs.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

I always enjoy photographing the stickers and graffiti I find in the backstage dressing room, but this was the first time I’d seen a ‘Cock Cat’.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

I loved the venue. A little bit tatty but warm and inviting. Perfect!

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Local support band The Things did a great job of warming up the crowd.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

I try to pack lightly when I travel, but the absolute essentials for every gig are always: one cowbell + fairy lights.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Mr Moran in a dress.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

[Monochrome Set photos © V Spanu]

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

We hit the town after the show, passing this Hooky artwork.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

First stop was Bar Pop in Canal Street which was a heap of fun.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

The music was as pop-tastic cheesy as you like – perfect for a well-oiled late crowd of revellers 🙂

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Our final destination was Cruz 101, a late night dance/house gay club located in an old warehouse.

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Manchester photos: street art, Gullivers, Canal Street and the Monochrome Set

Hope to see you again soon, Manchester!

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