A huge 24-hour Hacienda House Party is being streamed live on New Year’s Eve
The blockbuster lineup is set to feature two dozen live performances from 10am on December 31 - including Moby, Graeme Park, Hacienda Classical, Carl Craig, Peter Hook, Todd terry and Soul Central.
The world’s greatest nightclub will rise again this week – as a 24-hour Hacienda House Party is streamed live around the world on New Year’s Eve.
The blockbuster lineup is set to feature two dozen live performances from 10am on December 31 – including sets from Moby, Graeme Park, Hacienda Classical, Carl Craig, Peter Hook, Todd Terry and Soul Central.
There will also be a special tribute to the legendary “Godfather Of House” Frankie Knuckles in collaboration with The Frankie Knuckles Foundation – which will see Frankie play a set (originally recorded at Albert Hall on his last appearance in Manchester) from within a newly recreated ‘Virtual Hacienda’.
The Virtual Hacienda project has been put together by the club’s original architect Ben Kelly to create a digital replica of the nightclub and will premiere in all its glory on NYE.
Kelly commented: “When the club was open, years later, one of the greatest compliments I had from that group of clients, Factory and New Order, was that they regarded the design as timeless.
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“I think that was Tony’s [Wilson] thing, it didn’t pander to fashion or whatever trend was current. I saw it almost like a sculptural installation. Like a big art piece which I was painting. It democratised what those environments were about. It was flexible and all embracing.
“There was nothing prescribed about it. It stood the test of time as well because there was never any need to change it. The changes were all about improving the sound and lighting which came with the development of+ technology. The club was open for fifteen years, from 1982 to 1997 and they never had to change the design of the place.”
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United We Stream GM
The entire event will be hosted live on the Greater Manchester music platform United We Stream – which beamed live gigs to more than 14 million viewers during the lockdown over spring and summer.
During its initial run, United We Stream gave a stage to 338 artists and raised over £477,000 for local charities and the events scene.
The Hacienda House Party NYE is free to watch but viewers can donate via the official website, with 50% of funds raised donated to oneGM (which supports local people hardest hit by the economic impact of COVID-19) and 50% to charities Save The Children, The Frankie Knuckles Foundation and Peacemeal Manchester.
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You can watch the Hacienda House Party NYE exclusively via the website’s event page.
The stream will also be beamed live on Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and YouTube.
The full lineup is as follows:
Live: Haçienda Classical W/ Manchester Camerata, Inner City / Phuture
DJs: Carl Craig, Danny Tenaglia, David Morales, DJ Paulette, DJ Woody, Graeme Park, Greg Wilson, Hewan Clarke, Jon Dasilva, Justin Robertson, K-Klass, Moby, Norman Jay MBE, Peter Hook, Soul Central, Sub Sub, Todd Terry, Tom Wainwright & Tony Humphries
Audio
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall Manchester – groovy, hazy and effortlessly cool
Clementine Hall
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall proved exactly why they’ve built such a cult following over the past decade.
Formed in 2010 by frontman Ruban Nielson, the band first broke through with their scrappy, lo-fi self-titled debut and since then, they’ve become known for their signature blend of psychedelic rock, funk, and warped pop.
I first saw the band back in 2023 at Glastonbury, and yes sorry I am one of those annoying people that bring it up all the time.
They’re the perfect band to close your eyes, sway your head and tap your foot to – and that’s exactly what the crowd were doing in unison last night at the Albert Hall.
Image: The Manc Group
From the second they stepped on stage, there was no rush – just that signature hazy groove met with enough stage lights to sink a ship.
You could barely see them on stage, but that made it even cooler. And you can only imagine how gorgeous the Albert Hall looked with hundreds of spotlights in different colours whizzing all over it.
Early tracks simmered and pulled us in before the band stretched out into crowd pleasers like ‘Multi-Love’ and ‘Hunnybee’. What an absolute tune by the way.
Image: The Manc Group
There wasn’t much crowd interaction but, again, there didn’t need to be. They let the music do the talking and by treating us to some of the most epic guitar solos we’ve ever heard (no, seriously), we’ll forgive them for not talking to us.
Each song melted into each other as the band oozed effortless charm and talent throughout the almost two hour set, which is no mean feat.
Of course, a sea of phones shot up for ‘So Good at Being in Trouble‘, their most popular track which prompted a harmonious audience singalong. Not very harmonious by me, admittedly.
It was a fantastic ending that left the audience feeling united by the laidback brilliance of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and I hope they don’t leave it too long to come back this time.
Review | Leon Thomas at Manchester Academy – ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ but this gig healed me
Thomas Melia
American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas visited Manchester Academy last night, performing hits from his deluxe album to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,600.
One year after an exclusive London MUTT Live date, Mr Thomas returns to the UK with the ‘MUTTS DON’T HEEL’ Tour, venturing to five cities, including the music capital of the North: Manchester.
The night started off just how it should’ve done with ‘HEEL’, as the audience were welcomed by the drum-loop and a chill atmosphere from the start.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Leon Thomas gig without at least one Ty Dolla $ign collaboration making the setlist, and there’s plenty to choose from with a new one dropping just over a month ago, ‘miss u 2’.
Leon Thomas performing hits at Manchester Academy (Credit: Audio North)
The funk-influenced musician opted for ‘FAR FETCHED’, and the audience was in the palm of his hand. No matter which of the four link-ups he chose, it was always going to go down well – Manchester never disappoints.
Leon didn’t even have to ask the crowd to bring more energy; they already matched him. When he sings, “For someone who don’t ask for favours, I’ve done way too many favours”, on ‘PARTY FAVORS’, he really meant it.
Last year, Leon Thomas dropped PHOLKS, a project which saw him exploring old-school funk and soul sounds even further and ‘Just How You Are’ had even the shyest dancer pulling out a little two step.
This isn’t the only hit that sent the crowd into a frenzy; ‘Baccarat’ and its impressive psychedelic guitar solo had jaws literally falling to the floor at Manchester Academy.
His songs might not be dramatic or extravagant, but they don’t need to be. Leon’s artistry prevails when he’s softly singing, and you’re still able to detect each instrument.
Leon Thomas brought the MUTTS DON’T HEEL Tour to Manchester Academy (Credit: The Manc)
‘Breaking Point’ is an easy-listening soul track that had all 2,600 Leon Thomas fans in our feelings as we realised we were coming to the end of a phenomenal concert.
And of course, ‘Mutt’ – his biggest single to date: a bouncy and swag-filled number that sticks in your head for weeks on end – sounded even better when backed by a live band as I discovered last night.
There was some insane musicality, distinct bangers and impeccable live arrangements that elevated the original studio recordings. Maybe ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’, but Leon Thomas definitely healed me.
He wasn’t the only cool cat playing last night either:
The Manc -
28th December 2020 
