Step Inside Manchester’s Music History with I Am The Fly

This summer, The Refuge at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel invites visitors to experience a new exhibition celebrating one of the most exciting chapters in Manchester’s cultural story.

Opening on 26th July, I Am The Fly is a free exhibition curated by artist and screen-printer Matthew Rich, bringing together a remarkable collection of original screen-printed posters and photographs from Manchester’s pioneering music and club scene of the early 1980s.

Created at a time when Manchester was redefining itself through music, creativity and independent culture, these original works capture the raw energy of the venues, artists and club nights that helped shape the city’s identity. Many of the posters reflect the Haçienda era and the wider Factory Records movement, offering a fascinating glimpse into a period that would go on to influence music and design across the world.

Originally produced to be pasted onto walls across the city, these posters were never intended to survive. Decades later, they have become rare artefacts of a defining cultural moment.

Matthew Rich, who was working as a screen-printer in Manchester in 1982, said: “These posters were never meant to last. They were pasted onto walls, flyposted across the city and before long, covered over or torn down. Today, they offer a nostalgic glimpse of Manchester at an incredible time. They reflect the energy and determination of the people who helped shape Manchester into what it is today.”

There’s perhaps no more fitting home for the exhibition than Kimpton Clocktower Hotel. While The Refuge has long championed Manchester’s creative community through its programme of exhibitions, live music and cultural events, the hotel itself also pays tribute to the city’s musical legacy. High above the city sits Suite 51, the hotel’s signature duplex suite, named after the legendary FAC51. The catalogue number famously assigned to The Haçienda by Factory Records. Inspired by the club that transformed Manchester’s nightlife, the suite features subtle design details that celebrate the era, making the hotel itself part of the story visitors will discover throughout the exhibition.

As The Refuge approaches its tenth anniversary, I Am The Fly continues its commitment to celebrating the artists, movements and moments that have shaped Manchester.

Running from 26th July, I Am The Fly is free to visit and open to everyone. Selected works from the exhibition will also be available to purchase from m.a.r.s, giving visitors the opportunity to own a piece of Manchester’s creative history.

Whether you’re discovering these iconic posters for the first time or reliving a defining era of the city’s music scene, I Am The Fly offers a unique opportunity to experience the creativity, ambition and spirit that made Manchester famous.