Northern Soul

17/08/2026

'A butterfly caught in drying paint suggests the absence of escape routes, as brush-stroked scorch marks and the image of a skyline painted into a matchbox serve as a premonition of fires yet to catch light on the streets of Dublin, Dundee and Humberside.'

Our Chief Arts Correspondent, Desmond Bullen, sees Disc Unknown by Joe O'Rourke at Castlefield Gallery, Manchester.

Art Review: Disc Unknown by Joe O'Rourke, Castlefield Gallery, Manchester.

17/08/2026

“I wanted to come up with a really unlikeable character because I think they’re so much more fun to write and read."

Amy Stone talks to author Lucie McKnight Hardy about her new book, Night Babies.
https://www.northernsoul.me.uk/lucie-mcknight-hardy-interview/

16/08/2026

The changing architecture of Manchester at Sadler's Yard.

14/08/2026

This is how we want to go.

14/08/2026

The eclipse, Stokesley, North Yorks.
(Photo by Paul Hunter)

14/08/2026

Review: Race Across the World: The Experience, Manchester.

14/08/2026

My first paid gig in years, a cheque in the bank, and the money burning a hole in my pocket. It being Friday, I head for a fish place, and the best place for fish on a Friday in Manchester is undoubtedly Bar Shrimp. Opened last October by the team behind Higher Ground and Flawd, […]

12/08/2026

"astonishing"

Northern Soul's Robert Hamilton eats at Manchester's Bar Shrimp. Spoiler: it's really good,.

My first paid gig in years, a cheque in the bank, and the money burning a hole in my pocket. It being Friday, I head for a fish place, and the best place for fish on a Friday in Manchester is undoubtedly Bar Shrimp. Opened last October by the team behind Higher Ground and Flawd, […]

12/08/2026

We have loved the Blue Tit mural in Manchester's Northern Quarter for years. Coming across this video was proper special. The artist, FaunaGraphic, we salute you.

We continue our celebration of street art in some of the most vibra...