Art & Culture

New Factory Records exhibition to open at Science and Industry Museum

Use Hearing Protection will shine a light on the little-revealed early period of the world-changing Manchester label.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 2nd June 2021

A special exhibition documenting the formation and early years of the iconic Factory Records is set to open at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum in June.

Use Hearing Protection: The early years of Factory Records will shine a light on the formative period for the Manchester label, disclosing lesser-told stories from family members, alternative voices and international collaborators.

Founded by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, Factory Records played an influential part in the city’s transformation from an industrial powerhouse to a beacon of art and culture. 

Use Hearing Protection will examine the period 1978 to 1982, revealing how the label grew and thrived to give the city an authentic voice and distinctive identity.

The exhibition will focus on Factory Records’ formative years from 1978 to 1982 / Credit: Science and Industry Museum

So, what can we expect when the exhibition opens then?

Visitors will be guided through the pre-Haçienda years to uncover the history of the label and how it earned its status as a catalyst for innovation through rarely or never-before-seen objects.

The first 50 artefacts from the official Factory Records catalogue will be on display, including creations from Joy Division, New Order and The Durutti Column, as well as graphic designs by Peter Saville and objects loaned from the estates of both Tony Wilson and Rob Gretton – the former manager of Joy Division and New Order.

Visitors can expect interactive experiences that offer the opportunity to get hands-on with the technologies of the time (which have gone on to change the face of music) including a mixing desk and synthesiser.

The ‘Gig Room’ will also transport visitors back in time by playing out the sounds of Factory Records through large-scale projections of the early signed bands.   

There’s a lot to look forward to.

It will also disclose lesser-told stories from family members, alternative voices and international collaborators / Credit: Science and Industry Museum

Use Hearing Protection: The early years of Factory Records is set to open on 19 June 2021, and run right through to 3 January 2022.

An after-hours celebration of Manchester’s music scene will also take place on Thursday 23 September.

Tickets will be priced at £8 for adults, £6 for concessions, and under 12s go free when attending with an adult too.

You can find more information here.

Art & Culture

Richard Ashcroft says each Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour date is like a ‘World Cup final’

Danny Jones Danny Jones Richard Ashcroft talking about Oasis reunion shows inspiring him

Manchester music veteran Richard Ashcroft has come out to join Noel Gallagher to discuss just how special this summer’s Oasis reunion shows have been so far, comparing each and every night on stage to “a World Cup final.”

The Wigan legend has been supporting the Burnage boys on their Live ’25 concerts since the opening night at the Principality Stadium.

Following fellow long-standing scouse indie rockers, Cast, for each date, Richard Ashcroft’s own performances have been heaped with praise since day one of the world tour, with many fans praising his timeless vocals and impressive stage presence against the backdrop of the biggest band in the world.

In fact, his own renaissance as part of the whole phenomenon has not only seen excitement build for his first new album in seven years, but he’s even booked a massive arena run amidst all the buzz. Speaking to Virgin Radio this week, he says he continues to feel the weight of each and every gig.

Joining host Chris Evans via video call for the interview on Tuesday, 19 August, the former Verve frontman could only echo the elder Gallagher brother’s sentiment when it came to describing that first night in Cardiff, agreeing that it felt pretty “overwhelming” and kind of “passed like a movie.”

Struggling to fully articulate the magnitude of what has genuinely become a globally observed cultural event, as you can see, he explains that it isn’t just about “nostalgia” and fans rolling back the year; he says that this specific chapter in music history and collective feeling can’t be put into words.

While arguing that “we need to find a new word” for whatever this is, we think the closest you’ll get is the zeitgeist of the moment, or perhaps ‘collective effervescence’.

Having noted that he’s seen Noel a few times since the reunion got underway, Ashcroft insists the 58-year-old seems to be “in great spirits” and “in a good place” since the Oasis comeback began.

We’re sure you’ll agree this was a particularly touching moment from the interview – and not the only one we’ve got this week…

As for his 53-year-old songwriting peer – who the Oasis icon and High Flying Birds frontman has often cited as one of his favourite lyricists of all time and even dedicated ‘Cast No Shadow’ to – Ashcroft could only reiterate his own “respect” for both of the Gallaghers and the rest of the band.

He goes on to wax lyrical about “the power of the song”, too, expressing that even tracks he thought wouldn’t be the biggest favourites, adding that this is “what time does to a tune.”

Describing the entire journey thus far as a “healing, celebratory event” for the thousands who have already, he labelled it nothing short of an “amazing experience” thus far.

That was definitely the case for us here in Manchester when they played five unforgettable nights at Heaton Park.

Even those who didn’t manage to get tickets were still somehow able to create memories to last a lifetime, and what we would argue was one of the most surreal snapshots in music history – at here in Britain, certainly.

In memory of Gallagher Hill: an ode to one of the greatest moments in Manc music history
Countless numbers gathered on a muddy hill to listen to Ashcroft and Oasis’ hometown reunion.

As well as reinforcing just how creatively charging the tour has been for him so far – quipping that the 40+ shows overall could either “retire or inspire” him, but has certainly encouraged him to pull out his trusty acoustic guitar and write even more music – there was one comment that stood out the most.

Besides acknowledging how moving it is to see them walking out holding hands, laughing and joking mid-performance, as well as hugging at the end of each night, it was how Ashcroft portrayed how much it means not just him, but those out in the crowds.

“We play like a World Cup final every day and every time I play, I win 7-0; everyone’s on my side, and then they win 22-0 at the end. We’re all on the same team.”

Having just wrapped up the first leg of UK and Ireland shows, with just two Wembley nights remaining in September, the band and their tour mates are set to arrive in Toronto, Canada, for the North America shows this weekend.

You can watch and/or listen to Virgin Radio and Chris Evans’ full interview with Richard Ashcroft down below, and if you’re an Oasis fan, we would strongly suggest you do.

Even Evans looked visibly stirred by Ashcroft’s words, calling them “prophetic and profound.”

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Virgin Radio (screenshot via YouTube)/Audio North

Art & Culture

Drag Race UK winner Kyran Thrax plans PERFECT Manchester day out ahead of hosting all-new racing event

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Ahead of hosting the cleverly-named Drag Race event ‘Glam Prix’ in the city centre, Kyran Thrax plans their perfect day out in Manchester. 

Now it’s not a secret that Manchester is home to music royalty, but this city has always been a must-visit for various celebrities – including Drag Race UK season six winner Kyran Thrax.

This talented performer has spent plenty of time in the city centre and is now sharing their Manchester city centre hotspots ahead of their upcoming appearance at entertainment venue Chaos Karts for ‘Glam Prix’.

Kyran Thrax and a whole host of Drag Queens are coming to Chaos Karts for their 'Glam Prix' event in Manchester / Credit: Supplied
Kyran Thrax and a whole host of Drag Queens are coming to Chaos Karts for their ‘Glam Prix’ event in Manchester / Credit: Supplied

Thrax begins the day with a light walk through Urbis to reminisce their teenage years, and a must-have time has to be a “three pound can of cider”. 

From this, our horizons and tastebuds take a two-minute journey to the always-beautiful Corn Exchange ,which houses a huge selection of food options – but this performer loves one spot in particular.

A special shoutout to the team at the Italian eatery’s city centre site as the performer notes: “[Vapiano] never hits as hard as it does in Manchester”.

After munching down on some much-needed carbs and cheesy goodness, the Drag Race UK winner must pay a visit to not one, but over 60 independent retailers, as they take us to Afflecks.

Afflecks is one of Thrax's favourite spots and with a huge selection of independent retailers we can see why / Credit: The Manc Group
Afflecks is one of Thrax's favourite spots and with a huge selection of independent retailers we can see why / Credit: The Manc Group
Afflecks is one of Thrax’s favourite spots and with a huge selection of independent retailers we can see why / Credit: The Manc Group

The UK Drag Queen reveals a fun fact about themselves, noting: “I actually got my nipple pierced in Afflecks and she’s still going strong”.

Now that we’re dazzling in vintage fashion, jewellery, accessories and an all-new nipple piercing courtesy of this independent shopping hub, a night out on Canal Street is definitely necessary. 

The Drag Queen has frequented this party paradise, also known as Gay Village, many times and has even performed on various stages.

Thrax recounts: “I was on stage so late that when I left it was daylight. Everyone was going to work with their briefcases and I’m here, 30 inch wig, face immaculate, but my beard’s coming through,” – a stellar night out, if you ask us.

Gay Village is known for throwing some of the best parties including Manchester Pride Festival / Credit: The Manc Group
Gay Village is known for throwing some of the best parties including Manchester Pride Festival / Credit: The Manc Group
Gay Village is known for throwing some of the best parties including Manchester Pride Festival / Credit: The Manc Group

Kyran Thrax will be hosting Manchester’s first-ever Drag Queen Drag Race event ‘Glam Prix’ at Chaos Karts in Manchester with a team of iconic performers who are ready to take to the tracks.

The event, which cleverly combines both meanings of the phrase Drag Race, takes place just days before Manchester Pride Festival 2025, on Wednesday 20 August.

Although a whole host of Drag performers have been announced, there’s also chance for three lucky members of the public to try and secure pole positions by racing alongside these UK Queens.

If you fancy attending and racing as part of the ‘Glam Prix’ event at Chaos Karts, you can find all the information you need as well as your chance to enter HERE.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images – Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)

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