DJs from Manchester’s iconic club The Hacienda are returning with a new gig series that lets concertgoers get up close and personal.
The Hacienda might be one of the greatest pieces of Manchester music history, and now people can relive it all over again with a new experience that is bringing clubbing back to its original roots.
Running across 2025, party people have multiple opportunities to relive the high life of traditional clubbing in a venue situated in the heart of Manchester city centre.
Well-established pub and frequent club-night host, Joshua Brooks, is bringing back The Hacienda but on a much more personal level, not like the Warehouse Project event hosting around 10,500 fans.
‘The Hacienda: All Night Long’ is a bi-monthly residency starting in February with a performance from Graeme Park followed by a packed lineup of incredible music makers and lovers.
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The original Hacienda club in its hay-day / Credit: Jon Shard.
The next event after the initial launch is in April with David Morales on the decks throughout the evening with good tunes and usual sleek style.
Greg Wilson is taking up a slot in June known for his work in dance music and the ‘re-edit movement’ which is still shaping music today.
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Keeping spirits high and vibes even higher, in August, attendees are in good company with your night soundtracked by Manc legend DJ Paulette.
Finishing off a phenomenal run of music mixing events is K-Klass who are notorious within the music scene for working with musical forces like Whitney Houston and Rihanna. The group even first met each other in The Hacienda!
Each event will include an extended set up to six hours long (or even more, if you’re lucky).
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Graeme Park putting on a show.K-Klass in their element behind the decks.Credit: Supplied
This run of live DJ sets are set to be an unmissable experience, partly due to the fact that there is a ‘No Photos, Just Music’ policy to help people live their life in real time and not through a digital device.
This rule is put in place by event organisers so that people can relive or first-hand experience an original club setting with no distractions and fully focus on the music being played out across the venue.
Graeme Park said of Haçienda – All Night Long: “A long time ago, in a nightclub, far, far away, I started DJing in a dark booth in the corner of a dark room, in a dark nightclub.
“I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, but over the next few years I learnt my craft by DJing all night long. Back then, it was all about the music and the crowd with the DJ being the person in the corner playing the tunes that mattered.
“This is why, after more than 40 years on the decks, I’m really excited to be back at the fabulous Joshua Brooks in February for another All Night Long session where I can play an extended DJ set in intimate surroundings, close up and personal with a superb sound system and an enthusiastic crowd right in front of me.
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“Last time we were all connected through the music and I can’t wait to do it all again.”
If you fancy celebrating clubbing in its truest form guided through the night by some Hacienda greats, you can grab tickets HERE.
The Warehouse Project named one of the best nightclubs in the world
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester can add another big blue ribbon to its already richly adorned totem of music heritage, as The Warehouse Project has been named one of the best clubs in the entire world.
Not that we’re the least bit shocked, to be honest.
That’s right, our very own Warehouse Project – or WHP to use the more commonly thrown around shorthand – isn’t just the great successor to the likes of The Haçienda, Jilly’s Rockworld and many more Manc live music institutions, it’s become a raver’s rite of passage in its own right.
So it’s no surprise that it landed itself in the International NightLife Association’s best 100 clubs on the planet – but where exactly on the list did it land?
As you can see from the full NightLife International rankings for 2025, Warehouse Project didn’t just make it into the 100 club or even the top half; WHP broke into the best 30 clubs in the whole world.
Finishing in 27th position, specifically, Mayfield Depot‘s major tourist attraction was sandwiched between Ibiza’s Amnesia nightclub and the equally iconic Ministry of Sound in London.
Not bad company to keep, eh?
Writing in the caption, the organisation said: “From Ibiza to Singapore, Miami to Marrakech, and every nightlife capital in between, this year’s ranking showcases the venues that continue to elevate global nightlife with innovation, quality, and unforgettable experiences.”
“Cheers to all the clubs that made it onto the list”, they continued, thanking sponsors, artists and collaborators alike before adding, “Your commitment drives the industry forward.”
With the likes of Worried About Henry, Homobloc, Barry Can’t Swim, and the first-ever winter edition of Repercussion having already passed this year, the 2025 programme really has been electric.
But they’re not done yet; you can see the rest of what is on this year’s lineup down below.
One of the biggest dates on the current WHP calendar is, of course, their massive New Year’s Eve Party, which returns for 2025.
The team behind Warehouse is yet to respond to the prestigious international recognition, as they’re clearly still too busy putting on some of the best nights not just in town or the UK, but anywhere around the club.
You can get a closer look at the in-depth list of NightLife International’s top 100 clubs HERE.
Speaking of Manc nightlife, it’ll be interesting to see where a returning cult favourite will place itself on the leaderboard when it makes its full comeback very soon…
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Press shots (supplied via WHP)
Gigs & Nightlife
Kendal Calling reveals fantastic 2026 lineup, including Biffy Clyro, Wolf Alice, The Kooks and more
Danny Jones
The lineup for Kendal Calling 2026 has been officially revealed in full, and let’s just say the list of headliners alone is absolutely box office.
It feels like we say this every year, but this could be one of their best to date.
With the likes of Scottish rock legends Biffy Clyro (after years of courting them), Mercury Prize-winning Wolf Alice, as well as indie veterans The Kooks and Two Door Cinema Club topping the bill on the main stage, next year’s Kendal Calling is shaping up to be a tasty one.
Next summer will mark the 21st year of the annual music and arts festival, and after a wonderful 20th anniversary edition in 2025, we have every faith the KC crew are going to nail it yet again.
Announcing a total of 120 acts – yes, this lineup is already STACKED – the roster is packed with everything from timeless indie stalwarts, Northern favourites, some pop surprises and plenty more.
For instance, we were genuinely buzzing to see not only the one and only Scissor Sisters, but also Gabrielle, and even noughties throwback, Vanessa Carlton.
We’re now hoping and praying she doesn’t pull out and quite literally travels ‘A Thousand Miles’ over to the Lake District.
After making their own comebacks this year, the likes of The Libertines, Deaf Havana, Hard-Fi and several others have joined the lineup, which is spread across more than a dozen stages, including non-musical acts and other bits of live entertainment.
We were very much spoilt for choice for our favourite festivals this year, but you only have to read our review of ‘KC20’ to know how much it meant to be there.
You can see the Kendal Calling 2026 lineup poster down below.
‘26's Adventure Revealed! 🙌 Like & RT for your chance to win VIP upgrades, boutique camping & a £200 bar tab!
Biffy Clyro, Wolf Alice, Two Door Cinema Club, The Kooks, Scissor Sisters, The Libertines & more head to the Lakes! pic.twitter.com/HoI0qpgrxQ
If you look closely, you can also see that there’s a special guest slot thrown in there, too, though we’re stumped as to even the slightest hint of who it could be.
We’re sure you’ll have your theories and guesses in the chamber already, but let’s just say that after seeing how well they’ve done with surprises in the past, we cannot wait.
Commenting on the drop, co-founder Ben Robinson said: “I’m so excited to reveal next year’s line-up! Our brilliant team has secured a line-up worthy of the jaw-dropping faith the Kendal Calling family puts in us each year.
“Selling 98% of the tickets before announcing a single artist is the biggest compliment we could ever receive, so here’s an early Christmas present to say thank you!”
Like the man said, most full weekend passes have already gone, but if this lineup tickles your interest, you can still register for the final release of Kendal Calling 2026 tickets right HERE.
Thomas Melia -
27th November 2024 
