Cult event of the month: November. Cult Manchester X Manchester Central Library.
Cult Manchester has been live for nearly three months; to mark this - and the publication of our 50th story - we'll be heading to Central Library on 19 November for a ‘creative pop up’.
The free event, at the first-floor music section of the library, will be a chance to hear how and why Cult Manchester was put together. It’ll also act as a creative mixer - if you’ve got a project that needs amplifying, come and talk to the cults about it. We’ll be publishing our 50th story on the night as well: a cautionary tale of one of Manchester’s most famous singers, some cartoons and the threat of legal action.
‘We are really excited to be hosting the Cult Manchester creative pop-up,’ said Thom Williams, central library’s service development co-ordinator. ‘Since David Nolan announced the project at our Punk Day over the summer, this innovative, creative site has already put the spotlight on some amazing stories and people from around the city. And by the sounds of it, the latest Cult Manchester scoop, to be revealed at the Central Library event, should add another string to their bow. It’s a free event and forum in our Henry Watson Music Library and we encourage any creative-minded folk to come along.
'The library is currently receiving an array of new facilities, including a brand recording studio pod for the public to use free of charge - it’s an exciting time, so please come down and see the changes for yourselves.’
The Cult Manchester site was launched in August to celebrate the music, words, films, TV shows, comedy and all-round cultiness of Manchester, past and present. Since then, the site has unveiled a satisfyingly strange array of stories.
EXCLUSIVES
Remember when the Sex Pistols visited Piccadilly Radio at the height of their notoriety in December 1976? No, neither did anyone else… until Cult Manchester discovered a stash of photos that hadn’t been seen for 50 years. Then there was the story of a residents-only free Oasis ticket, the first look at Funky Si’s walking tour, behind-the scenes footage of 24 Hour Party People being filmed and tracking down the last two pieces of a Castlefield mural. And there’s also the story of Ian Curtis’ record collection - an exclusive that’s still racking up site visits from around the world.
MUSIC
From extreme metal in Trafford Park to the Hollywood-ready story of ‘lost’ Madchester band Joanna… from Black influence on alternative music to the five daftest things Blossoms did…from cult US band Mahogany to a day in the life of Kingbee Records… Cult Manchester embraces all the genres.
STUFF THAT’S HARD TO CLASSIFY…
Ex-Fall drummer Paul Hanley on his love of the Portico Library, horror theatre at the Lowry, Halloween film recommendations, Cultplex cinema in Cheetham Hill, behind the scenes of Ghost Hunting with Girls Aloud and the twilight art of the Not Quite Light photography project - nothing is off limits.
So, come and join our cult at 6pm on 19 November 2026 at Central Library. There’ll be merch available too! For details, click here.
