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.
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.
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.”
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.
News
Met Office issues yellow weather warning for thunderstorms across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued across Greater Manchester for this week, with some disruption expected.
Nothing says the start of the ‘ber months’ quite like a heavy downpour and some thunderstorms, right? September is here and the summer seems to be long gone, as the Met Office has now issued a series of yellow weather warnings across the UK – including a thunderstorms warning for Greater Manchester and much of the north west.
The Met Office‘s website states that an area of ‘heavy showers and thunderstorms’ is expected, and that this may even cause some localised flooding.
“We’re expecting a band of heavy rain and strong winds to move northeast, followed by heavy showers and the risk of thunderstorms,” commented Rebekah Hicks, who is a Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office.
She explained that as showers progress north-eastward, they will become ‘temporarily slow-moving’, which will lead to an increased chance of surface water flooding.
A thunderstorm warning is in force this morning for parts of England and Wales ⚠️
While the vast majority of places will have ‘non-impactful’ rain, a few places within the North West could see 30-60mm in an hour.
Hail and lightning will also be additional, as will possibly-locally impactful hazards.
Northern residents are being told to expect difficult driving conditions and some road closures, and where any flooding or lightning strikes should occur, there is also a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.
There’s also a slight chance that power cuts could occur, and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in Greater Manchester / Credit: Johannes Plenio (via Unsplash)
On top of all that, the Met Office says there is a ‘small chance’ that some homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail, or strong winds – although this is expected to be unlikely.
As Friday, southern areas will begin to see more settled conditions, but unfortunately, it’s a different story for the north.
Here in the North West, it will remain wet and windy for much of the day and weekend.
More information and the latest weather forecasts for Greater Manchester and the North West can be found on the Met Office website here.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
News
Government to ban the sale of energy drinks to children under 16
Emily Sergeant
The Government is to consult on banning the sale of ‘high-caffeine’ energy drinks to children under the age of 16.
Currently, it’s thought that around 100,000 children consume at least one high caffeine energy drink every day, and there is said to be ‘growing evidence’ that links these drinks to harmful effects on children – including things like disrupted sleep, increased anxiety, poor concentration, and reduced educational outcomes.
So, in a bid to ‘boost kids’ health’, both physical and mental, plans set out today will stop retailers from selling the drinks to those under 16.
The Government believes this move could prevent obesity in up to 40,000 children and deliver health benefits worth tens of millions of pounds.
The proposal would make it illegal to sell high-caffeine energy drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre to anyone aged under 16 years across all retailers – including online, in shops, restaurants, cafes and vending machines.
The proposals would not affect lower-caffeine soft drinks nor tea and coffee.
Government to ban the sale of energy drinks to children under 16 / Credit: NeedPic
Many major retailers already voluntarily restrict sales, but research suggests that some smaller convenience stores continue selling to children.
Leaders and ministers say early intervention is ‘crucial’ if they are to deliver on their pledge to create the healthiest generation of children ever.
The move to ban energy drinks for under 16s is backed by parents, teachers, and also teaching unions who report on pupils being unable to concentrate and focus because of them, and even so far as to negatively affecting grades and academic performance.
Acting now to improve children’s wellbeing will not only help give them the best start in life and prevent them from a lifetime of poor health, the Government claims, but also deliver tens of millions of pounds of health benefits, as well as future savings for the NHS and increased economic productivity.
The proposal aims to boost kids’ health, both physically and mentally / Credit: Pexels
“How can we expect children to do well at school if they have the equivalent of four cans of cola in their system on a daily basis?” commented Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting.
“Energy drinks might seem harmless, but the sleep, concentration, and wellbeing of today’s kids are all being impacted, while high sugar versions damage their teeth and contribute to obesity
“As part of our Plan for Change and shift from treatment to prevention, we’re acting on the concerns of parents and teachers and tackling the root causes of poor health and educational attainment head on.
Georgina Pellant -
10th August 2021 
