Electric Chair: Manchester’s seminal underground party returns after 13 years away
The promotion took hold of the city's nightlife scene in the mid-nineties, steering things in a new direction at a time when Manchester was in a bit of a post-clubland raving rut. Now, it's coming back.
When Electric Chair first draped The Roadhouse in camouflage netting back in the summer of ’95, nobody knew it would go on to be so iconic. Not just for Manchester, but across the wider UK scene too.
Bubbling away in the city for almost 13 years, the promotional night evolved into a mini culture: becoming a home-from-home for a beautiful melting pot of people (many of whom attended religiously – no matter the venue, guest DJs or local selectors booked to play that night).
Electric Chair took hold of the city’s nightlife scene in the mid-nineties, steering things in a new direction at a time when Manchester was in a bit of a post-clubland raving rut.
Now, it’s coming back with an all-dayer rave over at Concourse this September – opening the party up to a whole new generation of ravers with a special one-off show.
Electric Chair originally took place at The Roadhouse before moving to Music Box / Image: PR
Famously referred to by founder Luke Unabomber (also of Homoelectric fame) as “attracting everyone but the devil,” Electric Chair brought some huge iconic dance music producers into the city – including the likes of Detroit producer Carl Craig, French electronic music legend Laurent Garnier and American house music pioneer Marshall Jefferson.
Beginning life at the now-defunct venue The Roadhouse, it later moved across to the Music Box – another great venue that’s since closed and is now a Tesco Express.
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At its inception in ‘95, it marked a pivotal moment in Manchester’s clubbing history, with the recent closure of the Hacienda, the city needed desperately to take things back underground, and it did so with a deep focus on the music.
The tunes played at ‘the chair’ transcended genres, and many of the world’s best DJs came there to play.
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The iconic club night will return this September with a one-off show at Depot
One of the things that made the night unusual is that its selectors always had the freedom to explore their own musical boundaries and, more than that, were actively encouraged to push them further.
It was this that cemented Electric Chair as one of the UK’s most loved forward-thinking club nights.
Speaking about his experience playing the iconic Manchester club night in the documentary film Manchester Keeps On Dancing, Detroit producer Carl Craig recalls: “That one is still in my memory banks from all the parties I’ve done in 25 years. That one was a real hyper one.”
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Now, after an almost 14-year absence, Manchester’s original underground party, Electric Chair, returns this September 19 to the Concourse at Depot Mayfield.
Expect a headline set from DJ Harvey, plus performances from Artwork, Lil’ Minx and The Unabombers during what is set to be a big evening.
Tickets go on sale on August 11 and are strictly limited to 1500.
Featured image – Manchester Keeps On Dancing.
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Iconic Salford music venue The White Hotel to reopen under new ownership from 2027
Clementine Hall
After announcing plans to close at the end of the year, famed Manchester club The White Hotel is changing hands.
Just a couple of months ago back in May, it was announced that one of Greater Manchester’s most cutting-edge and best-loved nightlife venues would be closing its doors for good.
Despite ‘continuing to draw full houses’, co-founder Ben Ward told The Guardian that the venue had found itself in a flood-risk zone, saying: “Basically, it’s a swamp.”
He added that it was better ‘to go out on our own terms, long before we became a museum’.
But it seems the swamp may live on…and although it is the end for the cult favourite nightclub as we know it, the former garage in Salford will be reopening in new ownership from 2027.
From January onwards, the disused Dickinson Street space will be known as BASTION according to a social media post shared to Instagram yesterday.
It will be run by the team who operate neighbouring venue The Bag Factory and will be supported by the Strange Art Collective CIC.
Images: The Manc
The Bag Factory shared a black and white illustration of the iconic White Hotel’s exterior, along with coordinates to the venue, stating: “The underground has a new stronghold”.
Rather cryptic we must say, and although we hope The White Hotel that we know and love could stick around forever – we hope the new owners will keep some of its magic alive.
‘Own a landmark, create a legacy’ – Historic chimney goes on sale for £300k in Bolton
Emily Sergeant
How would you like to live in a big chimney?
I know that might sound like an odd question, and in some respects, it is… but we’re being 100% genuine, as over in Bolton there is currently a historic local landmark on the market with planning permission to make it into your new home, and it’ll only set you back £300,000.
‘Only’ is a bit of a stretch, but when you consider the magnitude of this property, it’s surprising that you’re able to get your hands on it for such a reasonable price.
This is Barrow Bridge Chimney.
Rising above the tranquil stone cottages and wooded valley of the stunning model village that is Barrow Bridge, this striking Victorian chimney stands as a lone sentinel of Bolton’s proud industrial past – and now, with full planning permission secured, estate agents say it offers an ‘extraordinary opportunity’ to reimagine history as a truly one-of-a-kind home.
A historic chimney has gone on sale for £300k in Bolton / Credit: Miller Metcalfe
Originally built in the early 19th century as part of the ‘ambitious’ Dean Mills complex, the chimney once crowned a thriving cotton-spinning hub founded by Thomas Bazley, who was one of the Industrial Revolution’s great innovators.
Long after the mills fell silent though, the chimney endured and remained a local landmark in Smithills visible for miles, and today this relic of the steam age is ready for its next chapter.
Approved plans for the chimney are described as being a ‘bold’ residential conversion that will honour its industrial heritage, while still creating a dramatic modern dwelling like no other in the town.
The planning permission is in place for a two-storey residence of approximately 3,939 sq ft, with a striking contemporary design blended seamlessly with practical living.
The planning permission is in place for a ‘striking’ two-storey residence / Credit: Miller Metcalfe
The approved plans include three spacious bedrooms (two with en-suites), a family bathroom, a downstairs cloakroom, and a study that can easily adapted to a four-bedroom, four-bathroom layout to suit modern family life.
What makes this an even more attractive prospect for future buyers is that the chimney is well-connected to both amenities and nature – with both independent businesses, good local schools, and convenient transport links on the doorstep, as well as parks and tree-lined walks.
“This is your chance to own more than bricks and mortar,” estate agents Miller Metcalfe said.
“It’s a chance to live inside a landmark, to shape its story for future generations, and to call a piece of Bolton’s proud industrial heritage your own. Enquire now to discover how you can transform this iconic chimney into a legacy home that will stand for generations to come.”
Fancy it then? Take a look at the property on Rightmove here.
Georgina Pellant -
10th August 2021 
