An L. S. Lowry painting depicting people attending a football match has sold at auction for £7.8m.
The beloved 1953 artwork has been saved by the Salford theatre and gallery that shares the artist’s name.
The Lowry successfully bid to buy and keep Going to the Match, where it will remain on public display with The Lowry Collection.
It’s been part of The Lowry’s display since 2000, when it arrived as a loan by owners the Professional Footballers Association.
Once the PFA decided to sell the painting, there was no guarantee that the new owners would ensure it would be free to access for the public.
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Salford Quays and The Lowry. Credit: Unsplash
The painting shows crowds of people milling towards a football ground and has been praised for capturing a ‘quintessentially Northern experience’.
The purchase was made possible by the support of The Law Family Charitable Foundation.
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Julia Fawcett OBE, CEO of The Lowry, said: “We firmly believe that this iconic artwork must remain on public view, so it can continue to be seen by the broadest possible audiences, for free.
“This evening, thanks to an incredibly generous gift from The Law Family Charitable Foundation, we are delighted to have purchased the painting for the city’s collection of LS Lowry works.
Wonderful that Lowry’s football masterpiece has been saved for Salford’s Lowry Centre by Andrew and Zoe Law. It sold ten mins ago for close to £7 million. It’s coming home…. pic.twitter.com/EeQrmmNs9v
“We look forward to bringing it home to Salford, where it can continue to delight and attract visitors to the Andrew and Zoë Law galleries at The Lowry.
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“A great deal of work has been needed to make this intervention possible – I’d like to thank Andrew and Zoë Law, our Chair Sir Rod Aldridge, Salford’s City Mayor Paul Dennett and our Trustees for all of their support.”
Andrew Law said: “Zoë and I are delighted to have facilitated The Lowry’s purchase of Going to the Match. This LS Lowry painting belongs in Salford on public view, close to his birthplace, where he was educated and where he lived.
“Place matters. L. S. Lowry’s depiction of people attending a football match is just one of his many incredible genres of work, but it is undoubtedly his most iconic.”
Paul Dennett, Salford’s City Mayor, said: “L. S. Lowry, Salford’s greatest and most iconic artist, made his name depicting working-class life – as such we emphatically believed Going to the Match should remain on public view free to access where everyone can see it.
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“I am delighted our campaign to save this critical and important painting has successfully resulted in The Lowry securing it tonight, for the city of Salford in perpetuity for generations to come, for residents and visitors to our great City.”
Featured image: Supplied
Art & Culture
Microdot exhibit for BRITs 2026: the artwork of Oasis, Verve and more up in Manchester Piccadilly
Danny Jones
If you’ve passed through Manchester Piccadilly of late, you might have noticed two things: one, it’s really quiet, and two, there’s loads of cool Britpop merch and memorabilia on display, including original Oasis, The Verve, Inspiral Carpets art and more – all courtesy of Microdot.
Set up as part of the city’s own BRITs celebrations, along with a raft of other nationwide festivities, as the annual music award ceremony prepares to make its Manc debut at the Co-op Live this month, the showcase features special edition frames and more, all pride of place in the middle of the train station.
This collection, simply entitled ‘A Microdot Design’, is all done by the legendary Brian Cannon, the graphic designer and art director behind so much recognisable visual material within the genre.
We recently had the honour of speaking to the man himself in person ahead of Piccadilly’s temporary closure; you can see our interview with him right here:
The Wigan-born artist and visionary didn’t just make promotional materials for some of the biggest bands in the 1990s; he’s responsible for what has gone on to become some of the most familiar iconography in British music history.
With this pop-up exhibit available for a limited time only, we strongly urge you to go along and, for once, take your time rather than rushing around the station as you peruse the boards placed right near the main entrance.
Charting his work from circa 1990 up until now, it’s crazy to see just how many of Brian and Microdot’s fingerprints are all over so many different bands and artists.
From native names like Oasis, The Verve and the Inspirals, as mentioned, as well as the likes of Cast, Super Furry Animals, Suede and Ash, plus so many more, this guy has been nothing short of prolific over the past few decades.
Audio North took a little tour of the King Street South unit last year in the lead-up to Oasis Live ’25 reunion world tour, and we felt like kids in a Britpop sweetshop.
While this site has sadly since closed, shutting up shop back in July, Brian’s mini, modest, but nevertheless magic Microdot Boutique up in the Lake District is still standing.
Located in the popular North West town and tourist attraction, Kendal, it’s worth a trip there to see more of his portfolio alone.
Currently on display at Manchester Piccadilly ahead of the full 2026 BRITs Week and shindig at Co-op Live, it’s one of the best completely free things you can do in town at the moment – but the exhibition finishes on Sunday, 1 March, so make sure you don’t miss it.
Speaking of the BRIT Awards, if you’re wondering what else is on as 0161 gets ready welcome them for their two-year stint (at least), look no further…
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 23 February – 1 March 2026
Emily Sergeant
February is only a short month, and it’s time to wave it goodbye at the end of this week.
While this month may be drawing to a close, as spring edges closer, we’re really not short of exciting events and activities to be getting up to right across Greater Manchester this week – with everything from 360° walk-through projection shows to world-premiere science exhibitions, and so much more happening this week.
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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BRITs Fringe
Manchester City Centre
Monday 23 February – Sunday 1 March
BRITs Fringe 2026 / Credit: BRITs (via Supplied)
BRITs Fringe is a week-long programme in the lead-up to The BRIT Awards.
Under the banner ‘Manchester Seen and Heard’, BRITs Fringe harnesses The BRIT Awards’ global platform to amplify grassroots creativity, elevate local voices, and connect emerging talent with the wider music industry.
From a curated art trail championing North West artists, to a bespoke exhibition showcasing iconic music artwork, there’s so much happening, and this calendar of activity will transform the city into a cultural playground.
Find out everything happening for BRITs Fringe 2026 this week here.
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Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 23 February – onwards
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos / Credit: Science Museum Group | BBC
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos has made its world premiere at the Science and Industry Museum, and is inviting visitors to explore our wondrous Solar System.
Fresh off-the-back of the new BBC Children’s and Education TV show, Horrible Science, the ‘thrilling’ new exhibition encouraging visitors to ‘do science the horrible way’, and join both scientists and supervillains to unveil the secrets of space.
The new exhibition propels families up into space where mystery, intrigue, and rocket-loads of silly and surprising science await. You’ll get to venture through a series of cosmic zones, walk in the shoes of astronauts, explore the life-giving energy of the sun, marvel at mysterious moons, and discover far-off weird worlds.
Did someone say £10 pie? The Festival of Pie is back at The Black Friar is Salford, and this is your last week to make the most of it.
In case you didn’t know, that means delicious handmade pies are yours for a bargain price
Pick from the classic meat and potato, or opt for something a little different like garlic, chicken and leek, mushroom keema and onion bhaji, and our personal favourite, the truffle dauphinoise. Plus, you can add sides like mash and peas for just £3.
While Manchester Piccadilly is closed for now, the concourse space has been transformed into art gallery celebrating over three decades of iconic British – and, of course, Manchester – music design.
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‘A Microdot Design’ by Brian Cannon is now open, showcasing artwork created for some of the most influential names in British music – including the likes of The Verve, Cast, Inspiral Carpets, Super Furry Animals, and a little-known Manchester band by the name of Oasis (ever heard of them?)
The exhibition is completely free to visit, and runs up until Sunday 1 March, all ahead of The BRITs landing in our city for the first time in its history this weekend.
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LUMINISCENCE
Manchester Cathedral
Monday 23 February – 26 March
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LUMINISCENCE / Credit: Supplied
Manchester Cathedral has been lit up with a ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection show this winter.
Combining 360° video mapping, new orchestral arrangements of iconic songs, and a narrative story celebrating everything that makes Manchester and its residents so special, visitors are now invited to step into a ‘spellbinding fusion’ of light, sound, and storytelling.
LUMINISCENCE pays tribute to Manchester’s rich cultural heritage through specially arranged orchestral renditions of iconic anthems – with the setlist including songs by Oasis, The Verve, Joy Division, and Elbow, just to name a few.
L.S. Lowry’s iconic masterpiece ‘Going to the Match’ is being brought to life right before your eyes in this brand-new exhibition now open at The Lowry.
LOWRY 360 is an immersive experience forming part of the legendary The Lowry theatre’s 25th anniversary programme, and it means that, for the first time ever, you can see one of Manchester’s most famous paintings by, arguably, the city’s most famous artist come to life through sight and sound.
Better yet, after you’ve immersed yourself in this incredible experience, then you can then see the actual painting in the full gallery – Modern Life: The LS Lowry Exhibition.
2008 called, it wants its Topshop back… and it’s got it.
If you’re old enough to remember the struggle of contorting yourself into a pair of Joni jeans, then you’re going to want to pay attention to this news… the iconic, irreplaceable Topshop is finally back in our lives, having officially launched 32 physical retail spaces last week.
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The closure of Topshop and Topman stores back in 2021 left a gaping hole on British high streets, but the brand is now back in-person.
You can visit Topshop inside John Lewis stores across the country, including here at the Trafford Centre, and find out more about this exciting return here.
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Ever fancied learning to ski as an adult?
Ski season is officially here, the Winter Olympics have been in full swing for the past couple of weeks, and people are jetting off to the slopes left, right, and centre. But if you’ve never been skiing before, and you’re heading on your first ski holiday, luckily you can learn the ropes here at Manchester’s very-own Snow Centre first.
Over a two-hour beginner lesson here, you can learn everything from how to get your skis on, to snow ploughing… and even getting back up again after falling over.
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Our Amy’s currently on her first-ever ski holiday this week, so we took her for her initial lesson👇
Looking to escape the elements and have your mind boggled this half term? Sounds like a trip to Museum of Illusions is on the cards then.
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It’s time to let your competitive side out – get ready to experience the city’s most unique attraction like never before. Race through the vortex, create the best mirror image, and complete the brain gym the fastest to win the dazzling trophy at the end.
Whether you’re team building with your work lot, or taking your mates for a bit of healthy competition, it’s a great one to have a go at.
You can now get a taste of Mexico, Japan, Nashville, Naples, and Greece, all under one roof and without even boarding a flight, as Manchester Airport has now opened up a brand new foodie hub in Terminal 2.
Great Northern Market is a new food hall with six kitchens, plus a kiosk from our beloved Gooey.
Whether it’s a souvlaki and an airport pint, or breakfast butties and a smoothie, your pre-flight scran has just taken off to a new league.
Manchester Board Game Festival 2026 / Credit: MBGF (via Facebook)
Manchester Board Game Festival is set to kick off 2026 in style, returning for the first festival of the year with a full weekend of board games, role-playing games, indie traders, and community-led fun in the heart of the city.
The festival features a huge board game library, giving fans access to hundreds of games – with ‘Library Bees’ on-hand to help people find games, learn the rules, or jump into sessions with other players.
There’ll also be bookable sessions, like RPGs and Blood on The Clocktower, and seminars to take part in over the three-day event.
Yes, that’s right – for the first time in its illustrious 48-year history, British music’s most prestigious awards show will be leaving the capital London and heading up to the capital of the North, set to electrify Manchester’s newest – and Europe’s biggest – live entertainment arena, Co-op Live, this weekend.
It’s part of a two-year deal being described as a ‘bold new chapter’ for the legendary event, and there’s an impressive roster of artists lined up to perform too – like Harry Styles, Rosalia, Olivia Dean, and more.
While you won’t be able to get tickets to go and watch the show in-person, The BRITs will be broadcast exclusively on ITV1 and ITVX this Saturday (28 February) from 11am.
The full list of nominees can be found here, performers can be found here, and you can see all the other BRITs events here.
Daisy Jackson -
20th October 2022 
