The Art of Banksy has already appeared in galleries around the world including London, Toronto, Tel Aviv, Miami, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland and Gothenburg, now it is set to come to Manchester.
Due to appear inside a new purpose-built gallery on First Street next year, on display will be prints, canvasses, screenprints, unique works and limited-edition pieces mainly dated between the years 1997 to 2008 – the period which resulted in Banksy’s most recognisable and well-known works.
The exhibit will also feature some iconic works such as ‘Girl and Balloon’, ‘Flower Thrower’ and ‘Rude Copper’ alongside some of Banksy’s lesser-known masterpieces.
The new gallery is due to be constructed on the estate’s River Street pop-up space, which has formerly hosted HOME’s Homeground festival and several Pride events, reports Manchester Confidential.
When the exhibit arrives here in 2023, fans of the artist will be given the chance to see some of Banky’s specially-made pieces that have been given out or loaned by private collectors.
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As a result, the art on show will be curated almost entirely from made-to-order pieces as opposed to much of the public street art, known for appearing spontaneously on walls and doors around the world, for which Banksy is most famous.
This is due to the fact that the artist has not authorised or been involved with the curation of the exhibit.
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Banksy’s “Di-Faced Tenner” is one of his most iconic works, stemming back to one of his original large-scale public pranks. / Image: artofbanksyexhibit
HOME MCR and Manchester City Council are both said to be involved in the build of the new space, which will run from Monday 5 September and Thursday 22 September 2023.
Once open, visitors will then be able to access the specially-built gallery from 10am – 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 10am – 7pm Sunday to Thursday.
Running from Thursday 22 September until Sunday 8 January 2024, it will give art lovers a special insight into the work of a celebrated artist who is notoriously elusive.
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To this day, Banky’s identity remains a mystery – although many are convinced that they hail from Bristol, due to the proliferation of early works in that part of the country.
Banksy is considered one of the world’s top political artists and in 2010, was selected by Time magazine for its list of the worlds’ 100 most influential people – sitting alongside the likes of Barack Obama, Steve Jobs and Lady Gaga.
Over the years, Banksy has carried out a considerable number of ‘pranks’ – including having his “Girl with Balloon” painting go through the shredder just moments after the work was sold for nearly $1.4 million at auction – something the buyer later said they felt, ironically, made the work even more valuable.
Popular Manchester comedy festival A Lovely Weekend announces 2026 lineup
Emily Sergeant
A popular comedy festival is returning to our city next month with an impressive lineup of local talent and ‘cult sensations’.
That’s right… some of the UK’s best comedy names are coming to Manchester.
Following the success of events held over the past couple of years, renowned production company, A Lovely Time, has once again put together an absolutely jam-packed lineup of television names, internet sensations, hotly-tipped newcomers, and even critically-acclaimed comedians for a weekend full of comedy shows in the heart of the city centre.
Taking place, once again, at Fairfield Social Club, the weekend-long festival, aptly called A Lovely Weekend, will kick off on Friday 29 May.
You can expect three full days of laughter at the hands of an expertly-curated lineup.
Audiences will get to watch Last One Laughing favourite Harriet Kemsley, viral internet sensation and stand-up Tom Lawrinson, and the return of Mark Silcox from BBC’s Man Like Mobeen on the Saturday, as well as the first-ever live show of Sean McLoughlin’s popular podcast, The Sean McTalk Show.
He will be joined by stand-up comic Josh Pugh, newly announced SNL UK cast member Larry Dean, and French comedian and writer Celya AB on the Sunday, all making for a ‘truly unmissable’ weekend of comedy.
Speaking ahead of the festival’s return, A Lovely Weekend producer John Stansfield said: “With around 20 shows over the course of three days, we can’t wait to pack out Fairfield Social Club with comedy fans for a heck of a lovely time and speaking personally, my favourite weekend of the year.”
The 2026 festival is supported by Found – Fairfield Social Club’s commercial operator – and alcohol free brewery, BRULO.
A Lovely Weekend will take over Fairfield Social Club from Friday 29 – Sunday 31 May, and tickets are on sale now – with tickets to individual shows, and specific day and weekend-long passes all available to get your hands on.
Lord of the Rings live in concert is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
The fellowship is not lost: JRR Tolkien fans are being invited to come along to see the beloved first film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy live in concert here in Manchester.
Undoubtedly, some of the most beautifully shot and, crucially, rousingly scored Hollywood blockbusters in history, the LotR movie soundtracks still remain among the most iconic to this day.
So just imagine how incredible they must be to witness it in the flesh…
Well, that opportunity is just on the horizon, as a live performance of The Fellowship of the Ring by a fully-fledged live band is coming to the city centre’s biggest indoor arena later this year.
Available either as an evening or matinee show, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring – In Concert’ arrives this winter at Co-op Live.
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the iconic Academy Award-winning film, which kick-started a mega franchise both on the big and the small screen nowadays, what better way to toast the date than by rewatching it like never before?
Teaming up with the one and only Hallé – Manchester’s premier orchestra since 1858 – the production will be bringing Howard Shore’s legendary original scores to life in person as they soundtrack the epic motion picture playing behind them.
We’ve got chills just thinking about some of those scenes: the council of Elrond in Rivendell; the ‘Argonath’ passing, that first stunning New Zealand vista as Middle-Earth, and SO many more.
Here’s a sample of what it’s like to hear those instantly recognisable sounds live:
Come on, how incredible is this?
For those looking to attend the Manchester showings of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring – In Concert, as always, official Co-op members will be granted early access through the venue’s presale window.
This will open at 10am on Wednesday, 25 March; meanwhile, general admission tickets will then be available from the same time the following Friday (27 Mar).
Georgina Pellant -
27th July 2022 
