FAC51 has announced it will return with two live socially-distanced Haçienda House Party shows at Victoria Warehouse on May bank holiday.
On Friday 28 May, Haçienda Classical will take over with Graeme Park and Manchester Camerata, plus DJ Paulette and Peter Hook.
On the second night, Sunday 30 May, we’ll see a special set from legends Orbital, alongside A Guy Called Gerald live with DJs Jon Dasilva and Justin Robertson.
With just a few hundred tickets available for each show, it’ll be an up close and personal performance for the FAC51 team – their first live gig in 18 months.
Hacienda Classical / Image: Dominic Simpson
During lockdown, the Haçienda House Party helped to lift so many people’s spirits, at the same time as raising thousands of pounds for charity.
ADVERTISEMENT
With COVID-19 restrictions easing in England next week, it means more events like this can finally take place.
Recent funding from the Arts Council as part of the Cultural Recovery Fund has also enabled the event to go ahead – making the comeback even sweeter.
ADVERTISEMENT
On the shows, Peter Hook said: “To celebrate the lifting of restrictions, we are holding our fourth Hacienda House Party charity streaming event. The others were ecstatically received, raising spirits and a great deal of money for charities.
“With us coming live from Victoria Warehouse this time with Hacienda Classical and Orbital and the support of DCMS and Art Council England, I’m sure this will be the best one yet. Tony (Wilson) and Rob (Gretton) would be very proud.”
Orbital
As well as the long-awaited live music return, organisers hope to raise money for two charities: The Christie Charity and Save The Children – both of whom work to create brighter futures. The link to donate is here.
ADVERTISEMENT
Tickets for both events will go on sale at 10am on Friday 14 May – tickets for Hacienda Classical can be found here and Orbital here.
The shows will also be streamed online from 7pm to 12pm for free, if you can’t make it down.
Stay up to date with the Manchester music and events with The Manc Audio.
Featured image: Hacienda Classical
Gigs & Nightlife
Massive homecoming New Order gig announced at Wythenshawe Park
Daisy Jackson
Another huge gig for Wythenshawe Park has just been announced, with New Order set to perform there next summer.
The Salford-formed rock band will call in some massive names to support them too, with local legend Johnny Marr on the bill.
The very special homecoming show will be New Order‘s first full headline performance in the city since 2021.
The group are widely accepted to be one of the most influential bands of all time and this year celebrated 40 years of their hit Blue Monday.
They were founded in 1980 by vocalist and guitarist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook and drummer Stephen Morris, who had all been together in Joy Division, which disbanded after the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis.
This year, the band announced reissued editions of their classic compilation ‘Substance 1987’, the band’s biggest-selling album to date.
They also headlined Barcelona’s Primavera Sound before they commenced their UK and European tour this autumn.
New Order will be supported by Johnny Marr, good friend of the band and legendary guitarist of The Smiths.
Marr and Sumner previously worked on synth-dance act Electronic together, and released three albums.
Johnny Marr announced a new album earlier this year – ‘Spirit Power: The Best of Johnny Marr’ will celebrate the first ten years of his solo career, featuring songs from across his four solo albums.
Fans can expect to hear Johnny’s greatest hits alongside the brand new track ‘The Answer’ as he takes to the stage at Wythenshawe Park next August.
Also supporting New Order at Wythenshawe Park will be adopted Manc Roisin Murphy, known in the 1990s as one half of pop duo Moloko.
The Irish singer and songwriter recently released her universally acclaimed sixth studio album, Hit Parade.
Presale tickets will go on sale from Monday 4 December at 10am, while general sale tickets go on sale on Tuesday 5 December at 10am, and you can grab yours here.
Richard Ashcroft announces massive Wigan homecoming show next summer
Daisy Jackson
Manc music royalty Richard Ashcroft will return to his hometown of Wigan next summer for a massive gig.
The gig at Robin Park will mark the first time Ashcroft has performed in Wigan for more than 25 years.
The star is perhaps best-known for his time spent with The Verve, with whom he released Urban Hymns, the UK’s 18th-biggest-selling album of all time.
The Verve’s hits included The Drugs Don’t Work, Bittersweet Symphony, Lucky Man, and Sonnet.
He’s gone on to earn himself two Ivor Novello Awards, for Songwriter of the Year in 1998 and Outstanding Contribution to British Music in 2019.
Richard Ashcroft‘s most recent album, Acoustic Hymns, was released in 2022 and reached number two in the UK Albums Chart.
He’ll be performing at Robin Park next July, a multi-million pound venue that will be the home of Wigan Warriors, built in association with Wigan Council.
Richard Ashcroft in the iconic Bittersweet Symphony music video. Credit: YouTube
Robin Park has been built next to the DW Stadium and is just a 20 minute walk from the town centre and Wigan North Western train station.
Richard Ashcroft said: “After 25 years, I’m back playing in my hometown. Looking forward to an amazing night in Wigan.”
The huge gig will take place on Saturday 20 July at Robin Park.
Tickets will go on sale from 9am on Friday 1 December via See Tickets.
Hannah Starkie -
12th May 2021 
