FAC51 The Haçienda is set to throw its third ‘Haçienda House Party’ with award-winning digital platform United We Steam GM on New Year’s Eve.
And this year, it’s for 24-hours straight, as it chases the turn of the year around the world.
Beginning right at the start of the day on the Pacific Date Line in Fiji at 10am GMT, the marathon event will feature an impressive line-up of live guests and DJs designed to help households to celebrate the end of 2020 and welcome in the new year.
The entire 24-hour live stream will be broadcast as a digital reconstruction of FAC51, with the DJs performing to a virtual crowd in the original recreated venue.
The two previous FAC51 The Haçienda x United We Stream GM online parties amassed a global audience of millions and provided enjoyment in what has proved a difficult and challenging year, and now this New Year’s party will offer some of the finest international DJs, a gallery of Haçienda regulars, and some very special one-off live performances, all broadcast to raise funds for a number of worthy causes.
The DJ roster for the event is one of The Hacienda’s strongest ever too, but who can you expect to see?
From the New York scene, Danny Tenaglia, David Morales, Todd Terry and Tony Humphries. From Detroit, Carl Craig, and live from Los Angeles, Moby, will all playing one-off, exclusive sets, and meanwhile, over in UK, dance music band Inner City, Phuture, DJ Norman Jay MBE and a whole host of Haçienda regulars spanning the entire history of the club – Graeme Park, Greg Wilson, Jon Dasilva, DJ Paulette, Justin Robertson, Sub Sub, K-Klass, DJ Woody, Peter Hook and the club’s first ever resident Hewan Clarke – return to FAC51.
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And, returning for a bespoke one-off live performance, is Haçienda Classical with Manchester Camerata and AMC Choir, produced exclusively for New Year’s Eve by DJ Graeme Park and musical director Tim Crooks alongside the Manchester Camerata Orchestra, musicians and vocalists – including Yvonne Shelton, Melanie Williams, Rae Hall – and some surprise special guests.
All of the performers involved are giving their time and talents to the event to “boost morale for Mancunians” during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.
FAC51 The Haçienda x United We Stream GM
Haçienda Classical has seen FAC51 team up with Manchester Camerata since its debut in 2016.
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Highlights include sold out concerts at Castlefield Bowl and The Royal Albert Hall, with headline appearances at Kendal Calling, Isle of Wight Festival (twice), and Glastonbury Festival’s Pyramid Stage.
Manchester Camerata has been named “Britain’s most adventurous orchestra”, and their long-standing work in the community – with schools, care homes and people living with dementia – shows their great compassion and commitment to the city region.
A very special tribute to Frankie Knuckles is also planned, as The Frankie Knuckles Foundation will replay Frankie’s 2013/2014 NYE Albert Hall Manchester set, performed within the virtual Haçienda.
The Haçienda Twenty-Four Hour House Party NYE is being produced, and broadcast exclusively by United We Stream Greater Manchester.
United We Stream GM is free to watch, but viewers can donate via the website, with all income of the stream split 50% for the oneGM campaign, and 50% to charities chosen by The Haçienda – Save The Children, The Frankie Knuckles Foundation, and PeaceMeal in Ancoats.
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FAC51 The Haçienda x United We Stream GM
The oneGM campaign was launched by Andy Burnham – Mayor of Greater Manchester – to raise funds and provide local support to the people hardest hit by the economic impact of COVID-19 in Greater Manchester.
From food poverty, to supporting those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, to providing mental health support, oneGM will deliver funding to organisations working hard to minimise the impact of this global crisis right within all local neighbourhoods.
During the first UK lockdown, United We Stream GM was watched by over seven million people and the acclaimed project ran for 12 weeks, amassing donations of nearly half a million pounds for 12 different local charities, with some 40 fundraising events broadcast live on the platform.
Speaking on the New Yearsacha Lord – Night Time Economy Advisor for Greater Manchester, founder of Warehouse Project and Parklife, and Executive Producer of United We Stream GM – said: “A few weeks ago, I promised that Greater Manchester would hold the biggest New Year’s Eve event, not just in the UK, but probably across Europe.
ANNOUNCEMENT: There will be 4 HUGE Xmas Parties in Greater Manchester, including the biggest New Years Eve party in the UK. Nothing will stop this city region #OneGMpic.twitter.com/3SUAv1CKLb
“During the initial 10 week United We Stream run, the most viewed events were the two Haçienda productions [and] we always strive to better ourselves, so we are back, with not only a bigger line up, spanning artists across the globe, but also running for 24 hours.
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“We are the 24-Hour Party People.
“Nothing will stop us from doing what we do best, and at the same time, raising many funds for those in need. The last time I did 24 hours solidly, was quite a few years ago…but I’m prepared to give it another bash”.
FAC51 The Haçienda x United We Stream GM
Peter Hook added: “The Haçienda was all about the people from day one.
“This has been a terrible year and my two highlights were our gigs on United We Stream Greater Manchester. For the simple reason that it helped bring people together, entertained so many when we needed it most for some great causes.”
“We’ve been watching the awful turn of events over the past year and realised it was time to round this year off in positive way and bring everyone together again for a great big party.
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“This is only way we know how and let’s rave safe in 2021 – from Manchester with love”.
Frederick Dunson – spokesperson for The Frankie Knuckles Foundation – said: “The Frankie Knuckles Foundation is extremely excited and proud to be participating in The Haçienda’s 24 Hour New Year’s Eve event with their special tribute honouring our beloved Frankie.
“He enjoyed his appearances at The Haçienda and for his legion of friends it will be reminiscent to hear him, and celebrate New Year’s Eve.”
“We are thankful to the great group of his DJ friends that are appearing in this historic event”.
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People around the world will be able to watch #HaçiendaNYE from 10am on 31st December 2020 – 10am on 1st January 2021 exclusively via the United We Stream GM website here, or official the official Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and YouTube accounts.
#UnitedWeStreamGM #HaciendaNYE #oneGM
What's On
Scouting For Girls announce stacked UK tour with Manchester date
Thomas Melia
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British boyband Scouting For Girls are heading out on an extensive UK tour with dates up and down the country, including right here in Manchester.
If the first thing that pops into your mind when you read this headline is “I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know how we’ll make it through this”, then you’re on the right side of history.
Nearly 20 years since their single ‘She’s So Lovely’ reached catastrophic heights and had everyone putting on their best Roy Stride accent, Scouting For Girls are heading back on the road.
This UK tour announcement comes two years after their last project, The Place We Used To Meet, reached our ears and was coined by the band as “Our best work since our debut”.
It’s been 18 years since this Brit trio captivated our hearts with their eponymous debut album, which sold over one million copies and went number one on the UK official charts for two weeks.
Whether you know them for ‘Heartbeat’ or ‘Elvis Ain’t Dead’, it’s clear to say this band had their fair share of smash hit singles throughout the noughties.
This tour, however, celebrates the sophomore follow-up: Everybody Wants To Be On TV, which went on to continue their legacy and secure them their only number one, ‘This Ain’t A Love Song’, back in 2010.
Now, the boys are treating UK fans to an array of live performances, and if you can’t make one date, fear not because there are 20 different locations for you to choose from.
The group will also be playing the likes of Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and a whole host of other Northern cities, so you have plenty of chances to catch them.
If you can’t wait all the way until March 2026 for your next Scouting For Girls fix, lead singer Stride has his own cameo account where you can get the star to read out a message or even sing you a song: “‘Michaela Strachan’ in full, please?…”
Scouting For Girls are coming to O2 Apollo in Manchester on 21 March 2026, with tickets going on sale next Friday, 2 May at 10am HERE.
Manchester Marathon 2025 guide – all you need to know about the ‘UK’s biggest day of running’
Danny Jones
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It’s nearly here… The 2025 adidas Manchester Marathon is just days away, and the mix of pre-race nerves, excitement and general hysteria is palpable, so much so that the only way we can think to calm both us and all you lot down is putting together a helpful guide.
Take no notice of those anticipatory jitters: don’t worry, they’re completely natural, but it’s worth reminding you that the Manchester Marathon is known worldwide not only as one of the flattest and fastest in Europe but also one of the most well-attended and fun to run full stop.
With London’s counterpart taking place simultaneously, the Manchester Marathon this Sunday, 27 April, is set to make up the single biggest day of running in UK history – what a thing to be part of.
All the hard work’s been done, you’re coming towards the end of the taper; supporters, we hope your homemade signs are primed and ready; there’s just one long run left, so with that in mind, here’s all the important info you need to know for this year’s Manchester Marathon.
2025 Manchester Marathon – everything you need to know
How about we start with the start times, eh?
MCR Marathon waves – colours, times and more
By now, those of you taking part should have all received/picked up your event packs, including your bib number and wave colour.
These are essential not only in order for your chip time to be recorded but for you to enter the start process before you actually begin your marathon and, of course, for your loved ones to track your progress throughout the day. Here’s where you need to be at what time, depending on your wave:
You can also find info on your pacers HERE. (Credit: Manchester Marathon)
2025 Manchester Marathon route
Now, the main headline this year is that the Manchester Marathon has a brand-new finish line, with the annual race relocating from the home stretch near the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground to the iconic Oxford Road.
Wrapping up proceedings in the shadow of one of the city’s most beautiful buildings, we can’t think of a more picturesque place for a box office finish.
You can see a quick run-through of the route down below:
As for the points where you’ll be able to grab extra fluids and even back-up HIGH5 energy gels, there will be a total of eight water stations throughout the marathon, spread out as evenly as possible across the various parts of Greater Manchester that the route runs through.
There will be portable toilets available at every single water stop in case of emergencies too, and there is also a full map of where to find them.
As for bag drop, a new system is in place for the 2025 Manchester Marathon, with belongings from each wave being carefully loaded onto separate lorries and transported from the initial drop point near the starting area over towards the finish line, saving your tired little legs from doing any extra work.
Participants will first drop their bags off near the front of Manchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium, on Wharfside Way – it’s recommended you arrive at least 45 minutes before your actual start time – before being given a wristband and picking them up over at the Oxford Road finish line. More info HERE.
As for this year’s dedicated Manchester Marathon fan zones and cheer points, you’ll find popular spectator hotspots, including the Deansgate Interchange, the Chester Road strip leading up past Stretford Mall and a main section of Chorlton’s high street, just to name a few.
Thankfully, you can find lots more tips on where to cheer on your friends and family via the online Supporter Hub, including help when it comes to tracking them.
In addition to the multiple signposted junctures and atmosphere hubs seen in the virtual route tour above, with more live music and festivities from artists, charities and local organisations than ever, the 2025 equivalent of previous years’ event village comes in the form of an all-new fan zone on Oxford Rd.
Find out more about what those taking part and cheering from the sidelines can enjoy in and around the action.
It’s also worth noting that the new ‘Adizero: For The Fast‘ pop-up will be open all the way from Thursday, 24 April to race day at Impossible Bar on Peters Street in the city centre.
The space is open to all and will host shake-out runs, exclusive product ranges, panel discussions and a variety of other activities; a collaborative adidas and Made Running cheer point will also be located at the one-mile mark on the corner of Deansgate.
If, for whatever reason, you can’t help line the streets yourself on the day, then you’ll be glad to hear that you can watch the whole thing online via a livestream on the Manchester Marathon YouTube channel – including Atherton’s very own Olympian getting the runners underway.
MCR Marathon road closures
As for the part of the city, Trafford and other sections of Greater Manchester that will be impacted by the Manchester Marathon road closures, here at the key points to know:
Parts of Oxford Road, Hulme Street, Grafton Street and other city centre streets will shut from 8am on Saturday and noon before the race on Sunday. As for the event itself, the route will go on to shut down the likes of Deansgate, Chester Road, and various other sections of road from 4am onwards.
You can find a full guide along with specific timings for each road closure HERE.
Further travel advice and public transport info
Last but not least, if you’re travelling into or across the city region for the action, Transport for Greater Manchester have recommended using our brilliant Bee Network to get around wherever possible.
Not only will this help reduce congestion in and around the city limits, but it also helps contribute to the adidas Manchester Marathon’s commitment to making the event as green as possible.
There are plenty of park and ride facilities at your disposal, and TfGM have also put together an interactive map for you to consult when planning your journey:
Now, we’re not trying teach you how to suck eggs, but it goes without saying that you should eliminate all panics possible, so get those phones, smart watches earphones and so on charged up, get your safety pins sorted early and so on.
Make sure you take in plenty of carbs for those much-needed energy stores in the days leading up to the race, lots of water too, not to mention as much rest and actual sleep as possible.
As for active preparation, you don’t need to be doing much more than a casual 5k jog or some light exercise in the last few days before the actual race – a steady little shakeout run the day prior at most. Lastly, ensure your race kit is washed and ready because a wardrobe dilemma is the last thing you need.
No matter what happens on the day, we’re already so proud of you all, whether you’re a returning runner, a first-timer, a dedicated fundraiser, or even just walking those magnificent 26.2 miles. Now go and SMASH it and we’ll see you for a refreshing reward at the pub!
Emily Sergeant -
2nd December 2020 
