A Legendary Venue for the North
Maxwell Hall | UH Team
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Photo of Maxwell Hall in 1976 (Maxwell Hall Archive)
To the passing eye, Maxwell Hall might resemble little more than a typical 1960s lecture hall. In fact, for decades, this was one of the North of England’s premier music venues, hosting countless touring acts from its inception through to the 1980s! Opened by the late Queen in 1961, it was originally known simply as the Main Hall. It was designed as a multi-purpose performance and events space.
Advert for Dave Berry & The Cruisers concert on 25 March 1964 (Maxwell Hall Archive)
The first recorded concert took place in 1964, when Dave Berry & The Cruisers played as part of an athletics ball – their tickets costing just six shillings. Soon, the Hall was attracting bigger names. Its hosted some of the world’s biggest acts including Blondie, The Who, U2, Black Sabbath, Joy Division and Pulp. Many of these acts were on the cusp of international fame when they performed at Maxwell Hall, often in support slots or receiving mixed reviews in student media.
One of the Hall’s most legendary moments came on a Friday afternoon in 1972, when Paul McCartney and Wings played to a crowd of over 600 fans. The concert was arranged spontaneously as part of a university tour, and tickets cost just 50p. Stories from alumni recall how the audience gathered in a matter of hours.
The Smiths Ticket, 1986 (Maxwell Hall Archive)
In 1986, The Smiths played a show that has been cited as one of the ten greatest gigs of all time. Drummer Mike Joyce later recalled:
“It was completely covered with people on the stage…people couldn’t even move…I think Morrissey chanted ‘Salford, Salford’ – which is unusual for him as a Manchester lad…it was like we had come home…Even though it wasn’t our city.”
The Smiths Photos by Nick Barber, 1986 (Maxwell Hall Archive)
The concert was so intense that the building was subject to some damage!
Photos of Gruff Rhys during his set at Maxwell Hall, SFTOC (Maxwell Hall Archive)
As the 1990s came around, Maxwell Hall was used for gigs less frequently, given that more venues were opening and touring schedules shifted. After a ten-year hiatus from hosting concerts, Maxwell Hall experienced a resurgence in 2024 as part of the Sounds From The Other City festival.
This resurgence coincided with a call-out for submissions to the Maxwell Hall Archive, curated by the University of Salford’s archives and special collections team. The archive preserves a remarkable collection of posters, tickets, photographs, reviews, and oral histories, donated by alumni and the public, which collectively document the Hall’s unique contribution to music history!
PHOTO CREDIT:
Maxwell Hall Archive
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