Failsworth Pays Tribute To Mani with incredible mural

A mural honouring Gary “Mani” Mounfield has been unveiled in Failsworth, and it feels exactly right.

Not hidden away somewhere soulless. This one is in Failsworth, close to where Mani grew up, on the side of La Fardy on Oldham Road. Proper Manchester.

The artwork celebrates the life and legacy of the legendary Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist, who died in November 2025 aged 63. Mani was one of those musicians who didn’t just play bass in a band. He gave songs a real pulse. The Stone Roses had the swagger, the melodies, the mystery, the lemons, the chaos, all of it. But Mani’s bass gave it movement.

Photo by I LOVE MCR

The mural was created by Manchester artist Pic One Art, and features two versions of Mani: one capturing the younger, Stone Roses-era energy, and another showing the warmth and character fans remember from later years.

The project was community-led, crowdfunded, and organised with GRIT Studios, with support from Mani’s brother Greg Mounfield. It is also raising money for Maggie’s Manchester, the cancer support charity that helped Mani and his late wife Imelda.

These are the details that matter. Because this is not just about nostalgia. It is not just fans getting misty-eyed over old records, this is about keeping someone’s spirit visible.

Mani meant something to people because he felt real. Loud, funny, warm, brilliant, unmistakably Manc. He was part of two massive chapters in British music history, first with The Stone Roses, then with Primal Scream. That is not a bad CV, really.

Since the mural appeared, fans have reportedly travelled from across the UK and beyond to see it, leaving flowers, taking photos and paying their respects. That says everything. This is not just paint on brick. It is a meeting point. A place for people to remember the music, the man, and the madness that came with it.

The tribute also arrives ahead of Manichester, a sold-out celebration of Mani’s life taking place at Diecast in Manchester on Saturday 30 May 2026. The event features names including Cast, Peter Hook and Jon DaSilva.

Mani was part of the attitude. The walk. The grin. The belief that music could make ordinary life feel massive for a few minutes. Now, in Failsworth, he is back on the wall...

Exactly where he should be

James Waddingham
Collaborator, BritRockHeaven