Unseen photos of U2 and The Smiths released as Maxwell Hall Digital Archive is unveiled

From new footage of The Smith’s infamous concert in July 1986 to Blondie’s rider for their legendary performance in January 1978, the Maxwell Hall Digital Archive has unearthed a treasure trove of items from Salford’s musical past.

The items are revealed today 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. The donations came from a wide range of sources, including our passionate alumni and former staff that attended the concerts over the years. 

The archive includes:

• New images of The Smiths’ concert on 20 July 1986 that was one of Q Magazine’s best 100 concerts. An advert that dubbed it ‘The gig of the year’ with information stating that tickets cost £4. The band played their last ever concert later that year.
• Blondie’s rider for the University’s Student Union ahead of their concert in March 1978 and the iconic photo of Debbie Harry wearing the poster as a dress on stage.
• A previously unreleased photo of U2 during their concert in October 1981 that took place days before their second album October was released, a poster for the gig and a gig guide which advertised the show for only £3 a ticket.
• 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. An unearthed review also reveals that they were supported by Happy Mondays, who gave an ‘instantly forgettable’ performance.
• Ticket stubs from a number of the venue’s most iconic concerts, showcasing the value of the concerts during the Hall’s peak years, 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.

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.

“We want to thank all of those who got in touch and donated their pictures, posters, tickets, memories and memorabilia to the collection.

“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.”

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. Since its first recorded concert in 1964, 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.

“From the raw energy of Black Sabbath to the anthemic sounds of The Jam and Pulp, Maxwell Hall has played a pivotal role in shaping the region’s live music scene.

“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.”

The building opened on Sunday 21 May, 1961 and the first record of a concert at the hall is Dave Berry and The Cruisers on Wednesday 25 March, 1964. In addition to the mentioned artists above, the venue also had gigs from the likes of Black Sabbath, The Hollies and Slade with The Charlatans playing the last touring gig at the venue in December 2004.

Live music will again be back at Maxwell Hall this spring as Sounds from the Other City returns to the venue and six other unique sites on our Peel Park campus for the festival’s 20th anniversary.

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 at library-archives@salford.ac.uk

Featured image is of U2's concert at Maxwell Hall on Saturday 3 October 1981. The photographer was Ian Evans.