It’s a sight that’s familiar to a lot of us – mismatched velvet bar stools, foam panelled ceiling, metallic streamers behind a makeshift DJ booth. But all is not as it appears at this particular working men’s club.
That’s because, despite all appearances, this isn’t actually a pub – it’s an art installation.
UTOPIA is a new installation that’s opened in the heart of Manchester, and its creator – artist Trackie McLeod – has built an actual working pub inspired by the working men’s clubs he grew up in in Glasgow.
As well as being able to pop in for a free drink during Trackie’s Happy Hour each afternoon, with Trackie actually working a shift behind the bar, the working pub art installation will also feature an expansive day and night programme of live events celebrating the grassroots talent of the city.
UTOPIA is playfully exploring identity, class, and gentrification by building a working, flat-roof pub inside the Warehouse space at Aviva Studios by Factory International.
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The attention to detail in the space itself is a marvel, from the shiny linoleum floor to the wood panelled walls to the pie oven on the bar.
There’s even a dart board plastered in the faces of famous figures like Donald Trump, Margaret Thatcher, and Elon Musk.
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By day, it’s open as a pub, exhibition, and workshop space, showcasing new prints, sculpture and video by Trackie McLeod; before transforming into an intimate venue with free events selected by the Young Curators by night.
Inside UTOPIA, an art installation inspired by working men’s clubsArtist Trackie McLeod behind the bar at UTOPIA Credit: Kieran Irvine
The line-up of events and artists includes drag queen Bailey J Mills, round-table discussions with Rebecca Swarray aka DJ Mix-Stress, Dave Haslam and rebecca elizabeth shaw, a DJ set by Rainy Miller, plus live rap from mamba.exe, spoken word from sonic storyteller Sharari, and a Saturday night takeover by iconic queer venue The DBA.
If you want to pop in for a pint at UTOPIA, you’ll have to be quick – the installation is only at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, until Saturday 21 February.
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Artist Trackie McLeod says: ”I’m honoured to have been selected by the Young Curators to exhibit at Factory International. It’s an amazing opportunity, and Manchester and its people have always held a special place in my heart.
“I often say you can tell how friendly a city is by how you’re treated in a smoking area and in Manchester, like in Glasgow, someone will always offer you a lighter.
“The installation reflects on the loss of community spaces in Glasgow and Manchester due to gentrification and changing city life. UTOPIA aims to reintroduce a sense of togetherness at a time when much of our community exists online. It’s conceived as an inclusive, safe, multi-purpose space for everyone.
Details of UTOPIA. Credit: Kieran Irvine
“Through this work, with the help of the Young Curators I want to celebrate grassroots spaces and emerging talent. I hope the audience can use the space as a community hub for music, art, workshops, talks and of course a cheap pint.”
Young Curator Jack Clarke adds: “Trackie’s a kindred spirit, he doesn’t just get the vibe, he is the vibe. There’s a rebellious tenderness to his work that I’ve always gravitated toward, something that speaks to the mess and the joy and the stubborn resilience of nightlife, especially when it’s disappearing in real time.
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“Working with him is like throwing a spark into a room full of kindling, you don’t know exactly what’s gonna catch, but you know it’s going to burn bright.”
John McGrath, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Factory International says: ”The Young Curators project is a truly exciting and radical part of Factory International’s artistic programme – handing decision-making over to a talented group of young creatives.
“UTOPIA builds on the successes of our previous public curation programmes and develops our commitment to thinking about artistic venues in new ways.
“We are particularly thrilled that this project results in a commission from such a significant up-and-coming talent as Trackie.”
A special UK exclusive screening of the new Star Wars movie is taking place here in Manchester
Danny Jones
Calling all die-hard Star Wars fans across the galaxy (or at least here in Britain, anyway), a special screening of the franchise’s newest film, The Mandalorian and Grogu, is coming exclusively to a Manchester cinema.
Even better still, it’s the only place in the UK that will be showing it. So damn cool.
The new spin-off set to land in theatres this month is the latest addition to the Star Wars cinematic universe and expands the hit Mandalorian TV series.
Most exciting regarding its domestic release here in the likes of Manchester, the VUE cinema in the Printworks is the only place putting on the IMAX version of the new movie.
Made specifically for IMAX, this is the first Star Wars film shot for and using fully IMAX-certified digital cameras and designed specifically for the experience.
The Mandalorian and Grogu – which is set to drop later this week – features 53 minutes presented in Printworks Manchester’s towering IMAX 1.43:1 aspect ratio.
Aimed to maximise screen size, deliver the most high-end visuals as possible, and further help with overall immersion, there really is nothing quite like it.
If you’ve ever seen a film in IMAX, you’ll know just how much extra enjoyment it brings.
With the Printworks branch selected as the UK’s exclusive destination for the film’s expanded 1.43:1 IMAX presentation, Greater Manchester are in for an absolute treat.
You can see the most recent trailer down below.
Let’s just say it’s received ‘mixed’ reviews, so far…
To celebrate launch day even further, VUE Printworks will also be hosting a limited one-off early morning screening at 6am, giving the most dedicated fans a chance to be among the first audiences in the country to see Din Djarin and Grogu make their big screen debut.
If anything, the seemingly divisive early reactions to the full feature film expansion of the ‘Mando’ lore have kind of made us want to watch it even more.
As always with these things, we’d encourage you to go along and make your own mind up, but we’ll be honest: our heavy Star Wars obsession will most likely make us biased to love this almost unconditionally. Tickets are live now right HERE.
Will you be going to see it?
Just over 2 hours, The Mandalorian and Grogu film hits streaming later this year. (Credit: The Manc)
Erling Haaland is set to make his acting debut later this year
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Erling Haaland is set to make his debut film appearance later this year in his first proper voice acting job as part of an animated movie.
Let’s just say our obsessive countdown until the release date starts NOW.
The Premier League player and sporting superstar has obviously featured on camera plenty since bursting onto the scene – not least of all for his own YouTube channel – but this will be new territory for the Norwegian.
Rather fittingly for the Scandinavian striker, he’s not only playing a Viking character in the upcoming animation, ViQueens, but he’s also basically set to play a version of himself.
Soccer Superstar Erling Haaland to Play Animated Viking in Film Debut (Exclusive) https://t.co/r6uxxOClJI
As per The Hollywood Reporter, the new film by fellow compatriot and director, Harald Zwart, who is best known for the likes of Agent Cody Banks, the 2010 Karate Kid reboot, and The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.
He also directed comedian Steve Martin’s second outing as The Pink Panther, so it’s safe to say he’s got a funny bone or two.
That being said, it feels like the 25-year-old will be able to have some fun with this script, in which he is set to play a Viking of the same name – because of course he is.
While it’s still yet to be revealed as to just how big a role he will have in the feature film set to arrive this winter, what we know so far is that the film is an action-comedy adventure revolving around a “world of fearless warrior girls, icy fjords, and Silk Road mythology.”
It’s also worth noting that this isn’t even the first time we’ve seen a cartoon version of Erling Haaland brought to life, as he also popped up in the world of gaming a little while back.
The career of a top footballer really can be a crazy one, can’t it?
Speaking on the film, director and co-writer Zwart told the outlet: “As a Norwegian storyteller making a Viking adventure for a global audience, having Erling Haaland join ViQueens feels incredibly exciting.
“Erling has already become a kind of real-life Viking icon around the world – powerful, fearless, and uniquely Norwegian. Bringing him into this universe as himself gives the film an unexpected energy and authenticity that felt completely right for this story.”
Other famous faces set to star in the animation, which is set to release this December, include singer-turned-actor Rita Ora and Ella Purnell (Fallout, Arcane, Sweetpea), who are starring as the two lead characters and voice actors.
Daisy Jackson -
20th February 2026 
