In partnership with University of Salford www.salford.ac.uk/future
Once a ‘Dirty Old Town’, modern-day Salford is, together with Manchester, a thriving northern powerhouse that’s home to the best in arts, music, education and – yes – football. Here’s what makes it so uniquely brilliant.
Salford Lads Club
There are few more famous images in music than that of local heroes The Smiths outside Salford Lads Club. Stephen Wright’s photo, first seen inside the group’s 1986 album ‘The Queen Is Dead’, now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery. The building was listed in 2003, meaning it’s there waiting for you and three mates to go along and strike a pose.
Don’t Miss: The Smiths room, a shrine to Morrissey memorabilia.
Home
Art, theatre and film space HOME comes with great local pedigree – it’s located on Tony Wilson Square, named for the late Factory Records impresario, and its patrons include filmmaker Danny Boyle and comedian Meera Syal. Nominated for Cinema of the Year in the 2016 Screen Awards, it’s the place to catch all the films you don’t get in the multiplex.
Don’t Miss: The themed film seasons. A recent one, Soundtrack, explored the importance of music in movies.
Northern Quarter
Epicentre of hipster cool, the Northern Quarter occupies the warehouse-lined streets from Piccadilly to Shudehill. By day, it’s pavement dining (famous Manchester weather permitting); by night, its myriad bars and venues come alive. Whether you want to play ping pong in a basement (Twenty Twenty Two) or sip cocktails in a mock pawn shop (Dusk Til Pawn), this is the place for quirky nights out.
Don’t Miss: Rising stars at Soup Kitchen or Night & Day.
Sounds From The Other City
The ‘other city’ of Salford is often subsumed into Manchester but – as this annual festival proves – it’s packed with charms of its own. The event takes over old-school boozers, churches and other venues around Chapel Street. You probably won’t have heard of many of the acts on the line-up, but you’re guaranteed to discover something brilliant.
Don’t Miss: Theatre pub The King’s Arms, a regular haunt of the students on Fresh Meat.
MediaCityUK
Partly occupied by the University of Salford, MediaCityUK’s complex has finally broken London’s monopoly on the media. The BBC produces sport and more there.
Don’t Miss: The big screen showing films and sporting events during the summer.
Warehouse Project
Manchester has long been a global capital for clubbing. Pop-up club The Warehouse Project keeps the Hacienda’s legacy alive, with highlights of 2016’s season including Skepta, Flume and the guys from Kurupt FM.
Don’t Miss: The launch party on September 23, with performances by rebel artist MIA and grime crew Section Boyz.
Islington Mill
Home to art studios, businesses, venues, gallery spaces and a B&B, it houses a community of creatives who subscribe to its utopian ethos. Think Andy Warhol’s Factory without the pretentiousness.
Don’t Miss: Its events are curated by local promoters and always worth investigating.
Canal Street
Canal Street is the beating heart of Manchester’s LGBT community, home to iconic bars, clubs and cafés on a pedestrianised street by the Rochdale Canal. One of the first gay villages in the world, it’s
a welcoming place for all – and one of the best places you could go for a big night out.
Don’t Miss: The annual Pride weekend, which takes over much of the city and attracts revellers from around the world.
The Lowry
Named for painter LS Lowry, this multipurpose arts space in the Salford Quays complex hosts gigs, theatre shows, dance and comedy, plus cutting-edge art exhibitions.
Don’t Miss: The monthly After Hours In The Galleries events, where you can view the exhibitions with a glass of wine to hand.
Manchester International Festival
Biennial arts festival focusing on new works and world premieres. Previous years have featured FKA Twigs, Damon Albarn and The xx. Last year even saw a one-off performance by University of Salford alumni Everything Everything – in the unlikely surroundings of Central Library.
Don’t Miss: The festival hub in Albert Square, with pop-up venues and al fresco drinking.
The University Of Salford
How many universities can claim to have guitar legend Johnny Marr as a Visiting Professor? Just one: the University Of Salford. Renowned for its media and music courses, the institution was the first to offer a degree in popular music. And with three separate universities in Manchester and Salford, the cities have a student scene unrivalled in size and diversity.
Don’t Miss: The state-of-the-art New Adelphi building, the new home for the School of Arts & Media, boasting recording studios, sound stages, practice rooms and a theatre – everything you need to launch a glittering career in TV, music or theatre.
The University Of Salford has Open Days on October 8 & 29. Book now at www.salford.ac.uk/future
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