📍 Smolensky Gallery, ABC Building, Quay Street
🗓️ 20 June – 31 July
🎟️ Free entry
Tony Wilson helped shape Manchester’s music and culture: co-founder of Factory Records, champion of Joy Division, New Order, Happy Mondays, and the man behind the Haçienda.
For the last 20 years, his personal archive has been packed away in museum storage. But this summer, for the first time, it’s being put on public display.
The Tony Wilson Archive Exhibition showcases letters, photos, artwork, and memorabilia, including new limited-edition prints made in collaboration with local artists.
That includes design studio DR.ME, two Salford lads known for their bold, playful work with everyone from New Order to Nike. They’ve helped bring the archive to life with a new series of risograph prints, made right here in Manchester.
The exhibition opened with a packed-out panel talk and some rare Factory Records tracks from Tony’s personal collection, a fitting tribute to a man who helped shape the sound and soul of this city.
If you’ve ever loved the music, the stories, or the spirit of Manchester, it’s well worth a visit. Get the details at www.smolenskygallery.com
🐶 It’s Not A Dog’s Life Anymore
Being a dog isn’t what it used to be. When I was growing up in Derry we had a springer spaniel called DJ and he was an outside dog. In so far as he lived outside. He could roam the nearby fields till his heart was content. And he slept in a kennel outside the back door. If it snowed, he’d be allowed into the utility room, but no further. If DJ ever made a break for it, into the inner sanctum of the house, my father would rally the children to chase him down and “put that bloody dog outside”. So I grew up thinking all dogs were outside dogs.
Today our family dog is treated like royalty by many people. My youngest son Ben is best buddies with Freddie the cockapoo, and he has recently bought a book titled “How To Make Your Dog #Famous”. Last year on holiday in France, in the middle of nowhere, we were minding our own business when Ben pointed to a family walking past with a ‘famous’ dog that he recognised from Tik Tok. It even had a little sign on its harness with all its social media accounts. It’s a brave new world.
And another thing. When my mother-in-law and father-in-law call my wife every Sunday evening for a weekly catch-up, I can hear them. They ask for any news. Then they ask how Catherine is. Then how the children are. Then, they ask how Freddie the cockapoo is doing. And only then, after enquiring after the dog with great eagerness, and just before hanging up, they throw in a token ‘Is Conor alright?’ So the dog has usurped me in terms of how interesting or important I am to other people.
Despite all that, Jones And Co. remains a dog-friendly business. We support and donate money to Guide Dogs for the Blind every year. But beyond that we welcome with open arms, any dog who comes along with their owner to Jones And Co. I certainly don’t rally the staff to ‘put that bloody dog outside!’ Times have changed. Instead the Jones And Co. team will fuss over, talk to, belly-rub, and in five minutes show more affection and emotional warmth to any dog, than I receive from them in a whole year. I’m not bitter though. See below for some Very Important Poochs.
