Thomas Blower is a documentary photographer from Manchester, UK. Blower captured inner-city Manchester in the 1970s-80s and continues to document the changing face of the city today.

The Northern Carnival showcased performances from X-O-Dus (who later signed to Factory Records), Buzzcocks, China Street, and Steel Pulse. Prior to the bands’ performances, over 15,000 people marched from Strangeways Prison (where it was believed that the National Front had infiltrated the staff) to Alexandra Park. During the march, several reggae, punk, and steel bands played on the back of lorries, creating the carnival atmosphere that would later spill into the park.