Get a fresh burst of visual inspiration from Manchester's Music for the Senses

Creatives seeking inspiration beyond their studio walls have a compelling reason to venture into Manchester this summer. Music for the Senses, a sprawling art trail by Wild in Art, transforms the city centre into an open-air gallery from 7 July to 31 August, offering designers, artists, and other creatives an immersive journey through Manchester's musical DNA.

The trail features over 80 artworks, murals, mosaics, and installations that celebrate the people, places, and instruments that have shaped Manchester's legendary music scene.

For creatives, this represents far more than a casual afternoon out. It's also a masterclass in how art, music and urban space can combine to create something genuinely transformative.

Breaking creative boundaries

What makes this project particularly compelling is its ambitious scope and innovative approach. Rather than confining art to traditional gallery spaces, Charlie Langhorne, managing director and co-founder of Wild in Art, has orchestrated a city-wide canvas that challenges conventional thinking about where and how art should be displayed.

The trail features genuine instruments donated by some of the world's most celebrated musicians, including Busted, Doves, Elbow, Mani, New Order, Oasis, PINS and Pixies. Some of their precious artefacts will be displayed in windows across venues, including Aviva Studios, Piccadilly Records, Band on the Wall and Selfridges, creating unexpected encounters between music history and contemporary retail spaces.

Meanwhile, for anyone looking to break out of familiar creative patterns, Manchester artist Liam Hopkins, known as Lazerian, demonstrates how discarded materials can become spectacular installations. His Guitar Street on King Street project lovingly repurposes donated guitars into an interactive experience, whilst his Cathedral of Sound—a large-scale sculpture constructed from hundreds of reclaimed acoustic guitars—creates what he describes as "a living, breathing sanctuary of sound".

International artistic collaboration

Music for the Senses' creative credentials are further strengthened by collaborations with internationally renowned street artists. Lei-Mai LeMaow has created a new mural at Etihad Campus tram stop, whilst Nomad Clan has transformed Oxford Road Train Station. Street artists ASKE and .EPOD has contributed work at Great Northern, demonstrating how public art can revitalise urban spaces.

These aren't token gestures; they represent serious artistic interventions that creative professionals can study and learn from. Each piece demonstrates different approaches to scale, context and audience engagement, offering practical insights for anyone working in visual communication.

Recognising not everyone can make the journey to Manchester, Wild in Art has developed the Music for the Senses app, available from 7 July on both iOS and Android platforms. This isn't simply a map; it's a comprehensive digital companion that allows users to experience the trail remotely, complete with detailed imagery and contextual information about each artwork.

For creative teams spread across different locations, the app offers a shared reference point for discussions about public art, community engagement and creative collaboration. It also features Manchester Music Mooch, an interactive journey through the city's grassroots music community, including augmented reality experiences at five key locations.

Supporting ecosystems

Beyond its immediate artistic impact, Music for the Senses demonstrates how creative initiatives can support broader cultural ecosystems. All proceeds from the final auction of decorated guitars will support grassroots music venues and projects throughout Greater Manchester via a special fund managed by charity partner Forever Manchester in collaboration with Manchester Music City.

Whether experienced in person or through the digital app, Music for the Senses represents a significant creative achievement that demonstrates the power of collaboration between artists, communities and cultural institutions. The trail runs until 31 August, with free maps available alongside the comprehensive app experience.