Exhibitions

The Manchester Pop Trail – Exhibition

A pop-up exhibition celebrating the city's musical heritage through Paul Wilde's original artwork and research.

By Katie McKeever · August 4, 2026

Manchester Histories Hub, Lower Ground floor, Manchester Central Library, St Peter’s Square, M2 5PD 

Thursday 3 September – Thursday 24 September 2026 

The Manchester Pop Trail offers a visual record of the city’s musical evolution, through the creative work of writer, historian and artist Paul Wilde. Spanning genres from the Blues to Punk and Britpop, this exhibition traces the city’s popular music story – exploring not only the artists who became household names, but also the forgotten rehearsal rooms, dancehalls, clubs, and community spaces that shaped Manchester’s sound. Many of these stories stretch back as far as 1929, forming a timeline of popular music that has never been fully mapped.

The Origins of the Project

Paul’s father, Geoff Wilde, was a respected local musician who performed in several Manchester bands and famously shared the same bill as The Beatles at the Cavern Club in 1961. Shaped by the music that filled his home and the stories shared by his father, this early connection to musical history became the spark for a lifelong fascination with the hidden rock ’n’ roll landmarks beneath our noses.
Paul began meticulously researching and illustrating the historic venues, people, and cultural milestones of Greater Manchester that have received little formal documentation and are at risk of disappearing from public memory. Over the years, Paul’s instinct to preserve what others overlooked grew into a personal mission.

Engaging the Public with the Story

This mission took public form through The Manchester Pop Trail, Paul’s long-running column in the Manchester Evening News. Week after week, he researched, wrote, and illustrated the city’s musical evolution, creating a visual record that blended journalism, heritage, and art. His hand-drawn illustrations – later developed into ceramic artworks – offered a tactile way to “hold” the city’s music story, turning research into objects that preserve memory.
Paul’s dedication has not gone unnoticed. His work has been recognised and supported by leading figures from Manchester’s music community, including Peter Hook, Graham Gouldman, and Graham Nash. He was also presented with a certificate for “keeping the 60s music alive” by members of bands such as The Hollies, Herman’s Hermits, and The Dreamers – a testament to the cultural value of his research and the authenticity of his storytelling.

The exhibition grew out of a connection made through Time Travellers Tea Room, Manchester Histories’ community coffee morning where people come together to share stories, explore the city’s heritage and meet others with an interest in Manchester’s past. After writer, historian and artist Paul Wilde shared the Manchester Pop Trail with the group, facilitated by Yussuf M’Rabty, conversations continued and developed into this exhibition at Manchester Histories Hub.

This exhibition marks an opportunity to bring together historians, musicians, supporters, and anyone who believes Manchester’s music story deserves a permanent home. Through this collection of illustrations, ceramics, and research, Paul hopes to encourage conversation about the city’s musical legacy and the case for a permanent Manchester Music Museum – one that preserves and celebrates this history for future generations.

Opening event – Thursday 3rd September 6-8pm

Come along to the exhibition’s opening event, hear Paul Wilde talk about the evolution of the project, and share your own memories and perspectives on Manchester’s musical history.
Light refreshments provided.

Meet the Artist! 

Join Paul Wilde to view the exhibition, find out more about the project and share your stories with him:
  • Thursday 3rd September (opening event) – 6-8pm
  • Saturday 5th September – 10-2pm
  • Wednesday 9th September – 10-2pm
  • Wednesday 16th September – 10-2pm
  • Wednesday 23rd September – 10-2pm
If you would like to meet Paul outside of these dates and times, please contact him at wildecartoons@btinternet.com
You can also find Paul on Instagram and Facebook.