Celebrated local artist Michael J. Browne (MJB) has finally assembled his latest exhibition, and it’s now on display for free right in the middle of Manchester.
The Moss Side native has completed a number of eye-catching works over the past year or so, which many of you may have noticed steadily cropping up along Deansgate.
Famed for working with the likes of Eric Cantona and the National Football Museum, as well as a viral piece picturing President Donald Trump pride of place in the city centre, he’s been making waves from a particular corner over the past few months.
That piece, along with multiple follow-ups in the collection, can be viewed in the flesh at no cost – and trust us, they’re worth examining up close and personal…
Entitled, ‘A Portrait of Power’, the new exhibit by Michael J. Browne is uneniably one of his most provocative yet, spotlighting figures like Trump, notable British politicians, the Royal Family and more in a big shop window over at Great Northern Warehouse.
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Featuring everything from football-themed nods to the likes of Maradona and Cristiano Ronaldo, to his monumental ‘Sovereign Servant’ oil painting, which sees recognisable Royals, Conservatives and other famous faces aboard HMS Victory in front of the Houses of Parliament, the intricacy is staggering.
You only have to glimpse one of these point-blank to see the sheer level of detail; collectively, the art amounts to thousands of hours of effort and weeks spent covering every inch of the large canvases.
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Exhibiting a bold fusion of historical symbolism with contemporary commentary, drawing from key cultural characters that make up the current zeitgeist, Browne is all about capturing the shifting face of ‘British identity’, as ever amorphous and transient as it may be.
Put simply, this installation is “a portrait of power, legacy, and national reflection.”
Known for his incredibly precise and almost microscopic technique, MJB‘s work has been showcased all over the world, including at the National Portrait Gallery, and never fails to stir up a conversation.
The exhibition will be held for a limited time at his current venue within units 291-293 at Great Northern.
Situated right on the corner of the main Deansgate strip and the adjoining Great Bridgewater Street, it’s hard to miss once you’ve seen it.
Private viewings are also available by appointment for the likes of MPs, political party members and accredited media, as well as interested members of the public.
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 13 – 19 October 2025
Emily Sergeant
October is in full swing, and we’re loving how autumnal it looks everything.
The air has a chill, the leaves have changed colour, and spooky season’s right around the corner now, so that means there’s plenty of exciting activities to be getting up to in Greater Manchester in the coming weeks and beyond.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? No worries. We’ve chosen a few of the highlights for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Both free things and those that’ll set you back a few pennies are featured.
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Pumpkin Lanterns
Manchester City Centre
Monday 13 – Friday 31 October
Pumpkin Lanterns / Credit: CityCo / Manchester BID
Have you noticed that Manchester’s adorable little pumpkin lanterns have already started popping up around the city?
If you’re looking to get in the mood for Halloween, but want to keep things a little on the cheaper side this week, then you need look no further than up above in the city centre as the annual decorative pumpkin lanterns are back once again.
Going on a little tour to see the lanterns in the trees in St Ann’s Square, Market Street, and beyond is the perfect activity for all the family, easy to plan, and great for pictures – and it’s free too.
Feeling brave? Scare City has returned to the North West with yet another ‘immersive’ horror experience in the lead up to Halloween.
Taking over the grounds of the abandoned Camelot Theme Park for ‘another year of terror’, just as it has done for the past four years following the success of its initial 2020 launch as a drive-in cinema, this year’s event features a selection of terrifying zones to weave your way through – some familiar, some brand new.
Tickets are now available to book at £29.50 for standard entry, or £44.50 for the ‘Gold Entry’ (both plus a booking free).
Find out more and grab tickets to this year’s event here.
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Pumpkin Festival 2025
Kenyon Hall Farm
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Monday 13 – Friday 31 October
Pumpkin Festival 2025 / Credit: The Manc Group
What could be more cute and autumnal than rummaging around in a field in the October sunshine, hunting for your perfect pumpkin? Nothing, if you ask us.
If you’re liking the sound of that, then good news, as Kenyon Hall Farm’s annual Pumpkin Festival has officially kicked off and they’ve got THOUSANDS to choose from.
As well as the fields full of pumpkins, there’s loads of seasonal items in the award-winning farm shop too (alongside masses of fresh produce), like tattoo transfers for your pumpkins, gonks, keyrings, and more.
And don’t forget to stop off at the cafe for their seasonal pumpkin specials.
Multi award-winning musical Sunny Afternoon is kicking off its UK tour here in Manchester at the iconic Palace Theatre.
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Following a sell-out run at Hampstead Theatre, the musical production featuring all the hit songs by legendary rock band The Kinks opened to critical acclaim at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End, where it ran for two years ahead of its sensational UK and Ireland tour throughout 2016/17 – and now it’s heading out on tour.
Set against the backdrop of Britain on the cusp of the rebellious 60s,Sunny Afternoon is described as being an ‘exhilarating and moving’ celebration of the music, life, and the band that changed it all.
Dare you enter the haunted Big Top? Gandeys Circus is back at the Trafford Centre this spooky season, and is bringing along with it a brand-new spine-chilling and action-packed Halloween Spooktacular.
This legendary show will be filled with frights, delights, and dazzling sights for the whole family.
Prepare for jaw-dropping thrill acts that will leave you gasping, grand production numbers bursting with eerie enchantment, and of course, plenty of laughter and screams along the way, as this is Halloween entertainment like you’ve never seen before.
Want to know what other Halloween-themed events are happening at the Trafford Centre throughout this month?
Spooky season is nearly upon us, and the Trafford Centre has now announced its lineup of Halloween activities to get stuck into, and from creepy crafts, to hair-raising rides and eerie evening entertainment, there’s something for every brave soul.
The Oast House’s popular teepee draped in twinkling lights is back for the festive season.
Complete with two roaring fires, twinkling fairy lights, faux fur throws, The Teepee will be made up of four tents joined together to create a huge open hub, complete with a stage area for guests to dance the night away in festive spirit.
It’s all sounding set to be a popular spot for locals and those who’ve finished a hard day at work during the autumn and winter months.
NEW OPENING – Power Hall / Credit: Science Museum Group
It’s been a long time coming, but this week, the Science and Industry Museum will be welcoming visitors back inside one of the UK’s most significant industrial heritage buildings – the Power Hall.
Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery is a free working gallery where visitors can immerse themselves in the sights, smells, and sounds of the engine-driven ideas and industry that started in Manchester and went on to change the world.
Have you noticed any ‘street nipples’ popping up around Manchester in recent weeks?
Yes that’s right, we did say ‘street nipples’, you heard us correctly.
In case you weren’t aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as a way of marking this hugely crucial event, pavement studs across major UK cities like Manchester have been transformed into nipples as part of a bold conversation-starting initiative from charity Breast Cancer UK.
Pavement studs often go unnoticed, just like the early signs of breast cancer – but this clever new campaign is already stopping people in their tracks.
Need a spot for breakfast? Manchester’s newest food hall has got you covered.
House of Social now does breakfast – and my lord, are you lot in for a treat with this one.
From Ok Taqueria, there’s breakfast burritos packed with jalapeño sausage patties and all manner of other breakfast items, there’s a taste of New York from Dough Religion in the form of pancake stacks and in-house bagels.
And last but not least, Burger and Beyond has the hangover cure sent from the heavens, with breakfast buns and the most PERFECT hash browns on the side.
Summer may be over, but guess what? Now that autumn is well and truly here, that means we get to wear layers, cosy up in our favourite places, and eat heartwarming plates piled high with all the major food groups.
Roast dinners / Credit: The Manc Group
Whether you want the likes of Banyan’s bottomless Yorkshire puddings bigger than your head, or swapping your meat out for a pie (you heard us), we’ve got something to suit everyone… tou can even get dog roasts too, if you ask The Refuge nicely.
Check out our top 25 best places to head to for a perfect roast in Greater Manchester here.
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Does your sweet tooth needing satisfying instead? Look at these spooky bakes.
Manchester’s most creative bakery has delivered the goods again this autumn, with a whole menu of seasonal treats and spooky pastries.
Half Dozen Other’s Halloween-inspired specials include a pistachio choux bun with a wobbly brain inside, an adorable pumpkin and pecan danish, and cherry cookie pie complete with witchy marzipan finger on top.
And beyond that, this month’s menu features a pistachio twist on their sell-out honey toast twice-baked croissant, a blood orange pain au chocolat, and a vegan charcoal cookies and cream croissant.
YUM.
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Featured Image – The Manc Group | Kevin Cummins
Art & Culture
Ocean Colour Scene announce big Manchester show on special anniversary tour
Danny Jones
Veteran UK rock band Ocean Colour Scene (OCS) are hopping on the booming anniversary tour bandwagon and coming to Manchester for a big arena gig next year.
The key Britpop figures who also dipped their toes in everything from indie to shoegaze and the so-called ‘baggy pop’ era, are soon to celebrate 30 years since their seminal sophomore studio LP, Moseley Shoals, which dropped all the way back in April 1996.
As a key part of the 90s rock movement in this country, the record was not only an impressive follow-up that avoided the pitfalls of second-album syndrome, but features some of the group’s most beloved tracks, such as ‘The Riverboat Song’, ‘The Circle’, and most iconic of all: ‘The Day We Caught the Train’
For those of you who remember its release, it may seem hard to believe that it’s been that long, but if the Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour has taught us anything, it’s that those formative tracks NEVER get old.
The years may have passed…But their fandom still thrives.Credit: Dave Briggs (via Flickr)/Brian Sweeney (supplied)
Coming to the legendary AO Arena (not for the first time), Ocean Colour Scene will no doubt be tapping into that same old ‘Madchester‘ scene that helped fill their crowds in these parts back in the day.
Speaking on the upcoming tour, frontman Simon Fowler said, “It’s hard to believe that Moseley Shoals turns 30 in 2026. We owe so much to that album, so it’s exciting to be able to look forward to this very special anniversary and celebrate with our amazing fans at some of the UK’s most prestigious venues.”
There are a few Northern dates for us to make the most of here in England, too, including not just Manchester but Bradford and Newcastle as well.
You can see the full list of domestic dates for the Ocean Colour Scene Moseley Shoals 30th Anniversary Tour down below:
As you can see, perhaps one of the things we’re most excited about with this one is the support act, as fellow cult favourites The Enemy will also be joining as special guests on the road.
General admission tickets for OCS’s tour go live at 9am on 17 October, but those keen on presale can secure early access through the venue the day prior, and Three+ members can do so from as early as next Wednesday (15 Oct); get ready to grab yours HERE.
They’re not the only long-standing favourites of the decade who are toasting a big milestone with even bigger venues next year, either.