A landmark photography project
The Piccadilly Rats are a busking band who regularly perform in and around Manchester city centre. Notorious for their rough-and-ready cover versions of old pop and rock standards and their rat masks, this collection of musical eccentrics have charmed and amused visitors and Mancunians alike.
The late Ray Boddinton
Rat masks in 2014
Other notable band members included drummer Alan Jones and Tommy Piggott - known as 'Tommy Trouble' - whose trademark is dressing in a 1960s Policeman's outfit, wooing the ladies or stroking a large furry rat. Tommy passed away in 2024.
The Piccadilly Rats became known to an audience of millions when they appeared on ITV's Judge Rinder and were also the subject of a 2015 documentary. In recent years, Ray Boddington has appeared on TV's X Factor and Britain's Got Talent.
The Piccadilly Rats memorably opened the main stage at the 2018 Parklife Festival after being added to the line-up as a result of a direct appeal to the organisers on Twitter.
The Piccadilly Rats were formed in 2013 as a trio and has subsequently grown in to the six piece band we know today. Founding member and band leader Gaz Stanley, is the principal musical influence within the group and originally came up with the idea of the rat masks. This made the band standout from other street acts in the city centre, but Gaz soon ditched his own rat mask as he realised that his vocals couldn’t be cleared heard when performing.
The Piccadilly Rats resident ‘freaky dancer’, Ray Boddington joined the band in 2013 and become one of the groups most intriguing characters. Ray’s hypnotic dance moves bring a profound sense of ‘Madchester’ to the band's performances. Ray was sadly killed by a tram in the city centre in 2019. The Rats have never performed since this tragic event.
Photography by Teanne Johnson
In 2022 a film documentary, The Piccadilly Rats: Live in Moderation, was premiered. A story of street musicians finding hope and mutual support amid austerity and addiction.
I wanted to give people like that a voice. Busking bands, street performers – people make their judgments straight away. But scratch the surface and there’s a lot of emotion, backstory, trials and tribulation. It’s celebrating colourful characters - Nathan Cunningham (director)
THE SHOOT: Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester
The Piccadilly Rats regular pitch
Student reflection: Teanne Johnson
"We caught up with The Piccadilly Rats at their usual residency on the corner of Lever Street and Piccadilly Gardens. All though at first sight The Piccadilly Rats seem bizarre, after photographing and interacting with the band I began to realise that they are a collective of unique individuals with a zest for life. When taking my images, it was clear that they were enjoying performing for the camera. I never felt uncomfortable when around them as they were very welcoming and talkative. Gaz the guitarist and Ray the dancer from the band were more than happy to answer questions from myself and any members of the public. The Piccadilly Rats have a great sense of humour and are very approachable - true Mancunians!"
