Unseen photos and nostalgic memorabilia has been released of Maxwell Hall’s most famous concerts in new digital archive.
The digital archive has been unveiled by the University of Salford, and will display the new footage of The Smith’s infamous concert in July 1986 as well as Blondie’s rider for their legendary performance in January 1978.
The release of the unearthed digital archive will allow residents to delve into the history of Salford’s musical past.
Maxwell Hall was opened in Sunday 21 May, and was known for hosting a wide selection of famous bands at the venue including gigs from the likes of Black Sabbath, The Hollies and Slade with The Charlatans.
The items have been unveiled following a public call-out for submissions last April ahead of the return to live music at the venue in May 2024 after a ten-year absence.
Alexandra Mitchell, Archivist at the University of Salford, said: “When we set out to create this digital archive collection for Maxwell Hall, we were very excited about the items we could uncover given its reputation as a storied music venue for over five decades.
“The items we’ve uncovered not only showcase Maxwell Hall’s iconic music history but also shows the value of creating a timeless digital collection that will be unburdened by time and be accessible to music fans here in Salford and also around the world.”
Alexandra was also shared thanks to the people who supported and donated pictures, posters and tickets to the collection.
And continued: “We’d also add that if you have any item that you think should be in the collection to please get in touch as we hope the collection continues to grow and uncover more musical nuggets in the coming years.”
Throughout the archive, residents will be able to see images of the The Smiths’ concert on 20 July 1986, as well as a previously unreleased photo of U2 during their concert in October 1981 that took place days before their second album October was release.
The U2 performance will also be accompanied by a poster for the gig and a gig guide which advertised the show for only £3 a ticket.
📷 Unseen photos of historic gigs from U2, The Smiths and New Order at the University have been revealed today as we launch our Maxwell Hall Digital Archive.
From Blondie's 'rider' in 1978 to £1.50 ticket stubs from Pulp, the archive can be viewed now!https://t.co/d0flW2ASHJ pic.twitter.com/WqKJH8IlX7
— University of Salford (@SalfordUni) March 3, 2025
The digital archive will also display an unreleased photo of New Order during their packed concert in April 1985 as they played their first gig in Greater Manchester after a four-year absence.
And an unearthed review also reveals that they were supported by Happy Mondays, who gave an ‘instantly forgettable’ performance.
The archive will also show ticket stubs from a number of the venue’s most iconic concerts, such as Pulp in 1992 for £1.60, The Jam in 1979 for £2.50, James in 1986 for £3 and The Smiths in 1986 for £4.
Following the released archive, Tim France, Director of Performance and Music at the University of Salford, said: “Maxwell Hall, a cornerstone of Salford’s musical heritage, has hosted some of the most legendary gigs in British musical history.
“The venue has welcomed iconic artists such as The Smiths, Blondie, U2 and New Order, cementing its reputation as a key stop on the UK touring circuit.”
Tim continued: “Revitalising its legacy as a cultural landmark, the new Maxwell Hall Digital Archive captures this rich history, showcasing unseen photos, memorabilia, and stories from decades of unforgettable performances.”
Residents will be able to view the archive of the collection of images and memorabilia in the archive here.
And if you have an item, digital or physical, that you would wish to donate to the archive, you can get in touch with the team here.
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