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.
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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.
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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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.
“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”.
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
Bloomtown – the beautiful blossom walking trail through Manchester city centre
Daisy Jackson
Manchester never looks better than it does in the spring, when all the blossom trees burst back to life – and now there’s a walking trail through town that shows off the best bits.
From the iconic purple blooms outside the Central Library to the surprising sprays that pop up in the middle of Ancoats, there are pretty colours appearing all over town.
The National Trust is once again shining a spotlight on Manchester and bringing back its new-and-improved Bloomtown Map.
There are 39 spots all over the city centre (and slightly beyond) included along the route, each one showcasing one of the city’s most picturesque locations.
The digital Bloomtown Map will tell you a little something about each hotspot as you arrive, whether you’re interested in the history of the place or just want to know what particular flower you’re looking at.
This year’s trail again starts up at Castlefield Viaduct, the incredible industrial structure that’s been brought back to life by the National Trust and turned into an urban sky park.
It then weaves through landmarks in the city centre like the Rochdale canal, Parsonage Gardens, and Manchester Cathedral.
And there are five branches of the trail to check out this year too, covering Hulme and South Manchester, East Manchester, Salford and Trafford.
Because this is Manchester, and our weather is famously all over the place, not all of the blossom trees have kicked into action yet (and some of the ones that bloomed early are dropping their petals like confetti already).
But April is usually the best time to see the blossom in full bloom – which makes the Easter weekend perfectly placed to get out for a stroll.
See the full Bloomtown Map below, or click here for the blossom trail around Manchester
All the places on the Bloomtown Map 2024 around Manchester
Alexandra Park
Angel Meadow
Ardwick Green
Birchfields Park
Manchester Metropolitan University Birley Orchard
Blackleach Country Park
Bridgewater Community Garden
Castlefield Viaduct
Clifton Country Park
Cutting Room Square
Dukes Drive
Gartside Gardens
Hullard Park
Hulme Community Garden Centre
Hulme Park
Manchester Cathedral
Mayfield Park
Ordsall Hall
Parsonage Gardens
Peel Park
Philips Park
Platt Fields Park
Queens Park
RHS Bridgewater
Rochdale Canal Lock 87
Rochdale Canal Lock 89
Sackville Gardens
Sadler’s Yard
Salford Quays
Science and Industry Museum
St George’s Park
St John’s Gardens
St Peter’s Square
Tariff Street
Thomas Street Pocket Park
University of Manchester Students’ Union
Waterside Arts
Victoria Park
The Whitworth
Whitworth Street West
Wythenshawe Park and Gardens
Blossom on Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Bloomtown Map is a blossom trail walk around Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Pick up a recyclable paper copy of the Bloomtown map at
Manchester’s biggest free music festival is back this Easter bank holiday weekend
Danny Jones
Sunnier days are well and truly on their way and better still, that means Manchester’s biggest free music festival and one of the best event series on the annual calendar is returning: that’s right, it’s time for Manifest 2024.
Back and bigger than ever, Manifest over at The Oast House in Spinningfelds returns this Easter Sunday and we cannot wait to get soaking in the sun, tunes and good vibes.
The biggest and most popular free music festival you’ll find anywhere in Greater Manchester, Manifest has been going for a few years now and it’s become such a staple of the warmer months here in the city centre that we don’t consider spring/summertime as having even started until it rolls around again.
Set to deliver an all-day line-up of live music with various acts playing from Sunday, 31 March at 1pm onwards and well into the early hours of Monday, 1 April, we can’t think of many better ways to spend the bank holiday.
Taking place on The Oast House’s large outdoor terrace complete with its dedicated stage and the big beer garden providing both coverage and plenty of room for Mancs to turn it into one giant dancefloor, thousands turn up to this series of events every year now.
Kicking off this season’s festivities on Sunday, 31 March, the first Manifest event of 2024 has a packed roster of musicians lined up including bands, solo artists and duos, as well as interludes from their resident and ever-reliable DJs.
Guests can expect not only a vibrant party atmosphere all day and night but tastes of pretty much every genre, from rock, pop and soul to R&B, funk, disco and blues.
Again, part of the reason this music festival series has become so popular is that it’s completely free, with space inside the venue dished out on a first-come, first-served basis. There were plenty of queues at every single date last year, so we recommend getting there early. Seriously, it packs out quickly.
You’ll have everything you need to keep you sorted throughout the day when it comes to food and drink too, by the way.
The Oast House’s street food-style menu will also be on offer for those looking to line their stomachs during the festivities.
We’re talking katsu chicken fries, Northern poutine with bone marrow gravy and Shorrock’s Lancashire cheese, chicken or plant-based gyros, stacked burgers, hot wings and hanging kebabs. We’ve tried it all and trust us, some seriously good scran this.
Festivalgoers can also keep cool with plenty of cold pints and house-made cocktails, including twists on the classics such as Watermelon Margaritas, Passionfruit Coladas and Pink Gin Punch. Phwoar.
The best part is, even if you’re already busy this weekend (obviously, scrap your plans and come here), you’ll have plenty more opportunity to enjoy Manifest this year with the free music festival returning every bank holiday weekend throughout the spring and summer.
There’s also set to be an extra few Saturday Manifest dates this year which are still yet to be confirmed but we’ll keep you posted as and when we know more – see you there, Manchester!
And to keep track of the other latest music news going on here in Manchester, keep your eyes peeled over on The Manc Audio.