The city-wide art trail features over 80 artworks, murals, mosaics and installations celebrating Manchester’s music scene
A brand-new art trail by global art producer Wild in Art has taken over Manchester, just in time for the city to welcome over one million music fans for one of the biggest summers the city has ever seen.
Raising money and awareness for grassroots music venues and projects across the city, 'Music for the Senses' features over 80 artworks, murals, mosaics and installations that celebrate the people, places, moments and instruments that make up Manchester’s music scene.
Trail followers will find everything from Busted’s Fender bass guitar at AO Arena to Oasis’ Gibson signed by the Gallagher brothers themselves at Selfridges.
As well as instruments donated by iconic bands and musicians, including Elbow, Mani and New Order, visitors can get up close and personal with interactive installations like ‘Guitar Street’ - a collection of forty hanging guitars featuring portraits of local grassroots artists - and ‘Cathedral of Sound’ by Manchester artist Liam Hopkins, known as Lazerian.
Four exciting new murals by internationally renowned street artists (Lei-Mai LeMaow, Nomad Clan, .EPOD and AKSE) also make up the trail.
Meanwhile, more guitars donated by the public have been painted or adorned by professional artists such as Hammo, Danielle Rhoda, Jim Medway, Tim Sutcliffe, Becky Smith, Thomas Wolski, Sally Adams, and Jenny Leonard, who have turned them into individual artworks displayed in shop windows and venues across the city including: Fred Aldous; The Treehouse Hotel; Co-op Live; AO Arena; Kimpton Clocktower Hotel; Forsyth Music Shop; Royal Exchange Theatre; People’s History Museum; NOMA; Represent (New Cathedral Street); Hallé St Peters; and Royal Northern College of Music, plus many more.
The trail will come to an end on 31 August, when the decorated guitars will then be auctioned to raise money to support grassroots music projects and venues throughout Greater Manchester via a special fund put together by charity partner Forever Manchester in collaboration with Manchester Music City.
Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder, Wild in Art said: “We’re delighted to be back in Manchester, Wild in Art’s home city. Music for the Senses is a slight departure from our traditional sculpture trails and we have loved working with our partners at Manchester City Council on our mission to showcase artists and support grassroots venues in the city. Huge thanks must go to everyone who has supported us; our sponsors, artists, musicians and, of course, all those who have donated guitars to be part of the project."
Manchester punk band Loose Articles, who feature in Hammo’s artwork said: “Manchester is the centre of the universe and its beating heart is music. We are buzzing to be part of this city-wide initiative that celebrates music for all.”
To follow the trail, download the Music for the Senses app from the App Store and Google Play or pick up a free trail map in participating venues.
For more information, visit musicforthesenses.co.uk.
