Beatles, Bowie, Blossoms & Beyond in Stockport Station Underpass

A guided tour of Stockport's music history depicted by local artists & an exclusive Q&A with special guests who have their own unique stories to tell.

Stockport's rich music history is brought to life in an exciting new art installation in the underpass at Stockport Station.

Join us for an exclusive preview of artworks celebrating key moments in Stockport's music history from the 1960's to the present day - The Beatles at Offerton Palace, Bowie at the Poco A Poco, Jimi Hendrix at The Sinking Ship and The Tabernacle Club through to the recent success of Stockport's very own Blossoms.

Over thirty panels in Stockport Underpass have been filled with the artwork of Stockport illustrators - Emily Flanagan, Tamsyn Kushner and Vivian Lally, and graphic designers - Paul Austin, Martin Bain and Joe Barratt.

This event is supported by Avanti West Coast working in collaboration with Seven Miles Out Arts CIC and South East Manchester and Crewe to Manchester Community Rail Partnership, with all proceeds from tickets going to Stockport Station's charity partner, Mentell.

We will meet at 11am under the David Bowie plaque at the Stockport station sign, adjacent to the short stay car park next to Sainsbury's.

Your guide John Barratt will then take you on a tour of the artworks throughout the Underpass at the station, with a chance to meet the artists and some of the musical luminaries depicted in the artworks.

At midday there will be free refreshments of tea, coffee and biscuits in the Conference Room on Platform 3.

At 12.30pm there will be be a talk in the large waiting room on Platform 3 featuring three major characters from Stockport's music history, who will be telling their own unique stories to John. Our special guests are;

Dee Christopholus - the lead singer of The Four Just Men and Wimple Winch, the band who famously supported Jimi Hendrix at The Sinking Ship club in Stockport on 12th February 1967. Dee also played on the same bill as The Beatles at Liverpool's legendary Cavern Club.

Pete Maclaine - frontman of Pete Maclaine and the Dakotas, the first band outside of Liverpool to play The Cavern. Pete was good friends with The Hollies and The Beatles and he famously turned down an offer from John Lennon and Paul McCartney to write some songs for him.

Joe Beard - guitarist and songwriter with The Purple Gang who were formed at Stockport College in the early '60s. Their single 'Granny Takes A Trip' was produced by Joe Boyd (producer of Pink Floyd's 'Arnold Layne'), a favourite of John Peel's but banned by the BBC! The Purple Gang played on the same bill as David Bowie at the Poco A Poco in 1970 and declined Bowie's request to be his backing band for the night!

After the talk there will be an opportunity to ask questions and meet the special guests. It will also be possible to purchase prints of the artwork on display.

We would suggest that you allow three hours for your parking if you are staying for the full event. Tickets are limited due to space.

We are excited to share with you the brilliant artwork that tells the fascinating story of Stockport's music history celebrating global stars and unsung heroes to bring a new vibrancy to Stockport Station's Underpass.