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.
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:
Thomas Melia -
27th November 2024 
