About this Event
'Hanging Around - Life On The Road With The Men In Black’ tells the visual story of The Stranglers ‘51’ UK tour in 2025 through photography.
Join John Dewhirst, Jayne Houghton and frontman of The Stranglers, Baz Warne for this VERY special event.
Longstanding fan, friend of the band and photographer John Dewhirst captures the band and their hard-working crew with unrivalled access across their nine sold-out UK shows in the Autumn of 2025, surpassing the golden anniversary with a triumphant 51st year for the iconic British rock group.
John photographs the rarely celebrated, long-serving and tightly-knit team behind the scenes that make the shows happen day in, day out, and his ‘fly on the wall’ backstage photos capture previously unseen candid moments. Hanging Around memorialises The Stranglers on tour in a way no other official photography book has.
This unique book pays respectful homage to the band and their half-a-century-long legacy, whilst celebrating the whole team who make these shows come together…. the unsung heroes of life on the road.Hanging Around is out 16th Oct, a year to the day since the band hit the road on the 51 UK Tour.
This limited edition individually numbered hardback is exclusively available through The Stranglers store and at Louder Than Words festival 2026. There will be a dedicated book signing after the event with John, Jayne and Baz.
About John Dewhirst:
John Dewhirst has been a fan of The Stranglers since his induction in 1977 and the band has remained the soundtrack to his life ever since. A keen photographer, HANGING AROUND represents a combination of passions. John is also a keen Bradford City supporter and has seen the Bantams play each of the other 91 senior clubs in England & Wales. He is also the club's historian and his most recent book about the men in claret and amber was released in September.
About Jayne Houghton:
Jayne set up Excess Press & mgmt in 1989, working for Factory Records and other huge bands, and worked with New Order and Happy Mondays for 20 years. Jayne still ‘manages’ Bez. Prior to that she worked as a professional photographer for NME and various bands and labels. Jayne shot the cover photos for Ride, Primal Scream and other iconic bands back in the day.
Since representing The Stranglers for PR and press for the past two years, Jayne wanted to commission a photography book for the band, and has collaborated with photographer John Dewhirst to produce this book for the thousands of Stranglers fans, to capture what goes on behind the scenes in rarely seen candid ‘fly on the wall’ photos.
Event venue & nearby stays
INNSIDE Manchester, 1 First Street, Manchester, United Kingdom
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