This summer, Manchester, a city forever intertwined with music, will be transformed into an open-air celebration of its rich sonic heritage, as Wild in Art unveils its latest city-wide creative venture: “Music for the Senses: an art arrangement for a musical city.”
Running from 7 July to 31 August 2025, the immersive trail brings together visual art, music history, and community spirit in a vibrant tribute to Manchester’s global status as a music capital. Developed in partnership with Manchester City Council, the initiative follows in the footsteps of Wild in Art’s beloved Bee in the City project, once again turning the city’s streets, venues, and shopfronts into an interactive cultural canvas.
At the heart of the trail is Guitar Street, a major new installation by renowned Manchester-based artist Liam Hopkins (aka Lazerian). This centerpiece will see a city-centre street transformed with sculptures crafted from broken guitars, lovingly donated by the public and reimagined as tactile, multimedia artworks.
Elsewhere, a chorus of guitars, each individually painted or adorned by professional artists, will be displayed across shop windows, galleries, and public venues. These guitars, also donated by the community, become not only a visual spectacle but a symbol of the city’s shared musical memory.
But this isn’t just a celebration, it’s a call to action. At the close of the trail, the decorated guitars will be auctioned to raise funds for grassroots music projects and venues throughout Greater Manchester. Proceeds will be managed by Forever Manchester, in collaboration with Manchester Music City, ensuring a lasting legacy that nurtures the next generation of local talent.
“Music for the Senses is both a tribute to Manchester’s incredible musical legacy and a platform for the artists and venues shaping its future,” said a spokesperson for Wild in Art. “It’s a celebration for the eyes, ears, and hearts of everyone who calls this musical city home.”
Whether you’re a lifelong local or a visitor discovering Manchester’s cultural heartbeat for the first time, the trail offers a unique way to explore the city this summer—through its stories, sounds, and creative spirit.
More details and trail updates can be found at wildinart.co.uk/musicforthesenses.
