Thomas Blower | Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival, 1978

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.

Police line up by Strangeways Prison ahead of the march to Alexandra Park.
Police line up by Strangeways Prison ahead of the march.

Photo © Thomas Blower / British Culture Archive.

Punk Girl at Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival. Alexandra Park, Manchester, 1978.
Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival, Manchester, 1978.

Photo © Thomas Blower / British Culture Archive.

Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival. Alexandra Park, Manchester, 1978.
Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival, Manchester, 1978.

Photo © Thomas Blower / British Culture Archive.

Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival. Alexandra Park, Manchester, 1978.
Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival, Manchester, 1978.

Photo © Thomas Blower / British Culture Archive.

Crowd at Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival. Alexandra Park, Manchester, 1978.
Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival, Manchester, 1978.

Photo © Thomas Blower / British Culture Archive.

Manchester Punks, Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival. Alexandra Park, Manchester, 1978.
Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival, Manchester, 1978.

Photo © Thomas Blower / British Culture Archive.

“The gig itself was great. There was no violence, no antagonism, it was just one big party with thousands of people in attendance. People were drinking and smoking a bit of this and that – It was fantastic. I’m a big reggae fan myself, but I didn’t dance that often, though when Steel Pulse came on you couldn’t help but dance!’ – Thomas Blower.

Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival. Alexandra Park, Manchester, 1978.
Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival, Manchester, 1978.

Photo © Thomas Blower / British Culture Archive.

Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival. Alexandra Park, Manchester, 1978.
Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival, Manchester, 1978.

Photo © Thomas Blower / British Culture Archive.

Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival. Alexandra Park, Manchester, 1978.
Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival, Manchester, 1978.

Photo © Thomas Blower / British Culture Archive.

Punk Girl, Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival. Alexandra Park, Manchester, 1978.
Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival, Manchester, 1978.

Photo © Thomas Blower / British Culture Archive.

Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival. Alexandra Park, Manchester, 1978.
Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival, Manchester, 1978.

Photo © Thomas Blower / British Culture Archive.

Punk Couple, Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival. Alexandra Park, Manchester, 1978.
Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival, Manchester, 1978.

Photo © Thomas Blower / British Culture Archive.

Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival. Alexandra Park, Manchester, 1978.
Moss Side, 1978.

Photo © Thomas Blower / British Culture Archive.

Punk Couple, Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival. Alexandra Park, Manchester, 1978.
Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival, Manchester, 1978.

Photo © Thomas Blower / British Culture Archive.

Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival. Alexandra Park, Manchester, 1978.
Rock Against Racism Northern Carnival, Manchester, 1978.

Photo © Thomas Blower / British Culture Archive.

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