Mural of Kurt Cobain planned in Manchester to mark 30 years since his death
It will be painted by artist Akse P19, who is the man behind other notable murals, including Joy Division’s Ian Curtis and The Prodigy’s Keith Flint.
Manchester could soon celebrate a music legend that only played the city twice — but left a lasting legacy for generations.
Plans are afoot to paint a mural of Kurt Cobain on the side of the Bread Shed pub and venue, just off Oxford Road, by April 5 — the 30th anniversary of his death. That location has been chosen as it’s only a short walk from the two Mancunian venues Nirvana played — the Manchester Polytechnic Students Union in 1989, and later at Manchester Academy in 1991.
However, the mural will not just serve as a celebration of an American icon — it will also raise awareness of mental health text message support service, Shout 85258. To make it happen, charity Headstock — the UK’s biggest music and mental wellbeing festival — is raising £3,500.
It will be painted by artist Akse P19, who is the man behind other notable murals, including Joy Division’s Ian Curtis and The Prodigy’s Keith Flint. Both of those projects were done to promote Shout 85258.
The Ian Curtis mural is now on the side of the Star & Garter pub near Piccadilly station, but it was originally daubed on Port Street in the Northern Quarter. However, it was painted over to make way for an ad for the then-latest album by Aitch.
That prompted a backlash from the city’s music scene. Councillor Pat Karney said: “People will have wanted this mural to stay there for a few more years, and my view is that the artwork should have stayed there too. If it is being replaced by an advert, they can be displayed anywhere around the city.
“Of course, we are proud of Aitch as another artist from Manchester who is successful, but many people will be upset by this. Personally, I felt it was such a special piece of artwork. But at the same time, nothing is permanent and musical culture is always changing.”
At the time, the Moston-born rapper said the outcry was ‘the first time I’ve heard of this’, adding: “No way on earth would I want to disrespect a local hero like Ian.”
After it was whitewashed in August 2022, the new mural was painted a year later.