Hacienda to return to original venue for special charity 40th birthday event

FAC 51 The Hacienda is set for a special homecoming charity event as it celebrates its 40th anniversary and actual birthday, with a spectacular return to its original location as it throws a party in the car park of The Hacienda Apartments on Whitworth Street West.

Taking place in the same location as the hallowed dancefloor itself, the event sees a gallery of The Hacienda’s finest residents come together on the night including from the earliest days of the club: Hewan Clarke and then Graeme Park, Jon Dasilva, Tom Wainwright, DJ Paulette, Aaron Mellor, K Klass who play live, and surprise guests on the night.

Given the expected interest in the 40th party, and limited capacity, the epic eight hour event is to be broadcast live by Greater Manchester’s multi-award winning cultural and music streaming organisation Stream GM, and can be watched at streamgm.co.uk and their Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube channels, enabling a worldwide audience to tune in and share in the celebrations.

All profits from the event and audience donations are to be donated to the two nominated charities: The Christie charity and Legacy Of War Foundation.

The Christie charity has long been one of The Hacienda’s supported charities, while Factory Records’ founder Alan Erasmus recent mission to Ukraine was in conjunction with and fundraised for Legacy of War Foundation, and so the event continues that support of the charity.

The event also forms part of The Hacienda’s 40th anniversary celebrations across the year which include Hacienda Classical events at London’s Royal Albert Hall (13th May), OVO Hydro Glasgow (18th June) and Castlefield Bowl (8th July) as wells as headline appearances at Retro Festival and Kendal Calling.

The 40th anniversary party is an expanded event since the 2012 30th anniversary in the car park which went down in history as one of the legendary Hac nights. 

In the ten years since, the influence and legacy of The Hacienda has only become more secure with events including multiple concerts at Castlefield Bowl and The Royal Albert Hall, opening Glastonbury Festival’s Pyramid Stage and live streams with StreamGM, attracting millions of viewers during the 2020 lockdowns.

In many ways, four decades on, The Hacienda and its spirit have become synonymous with Manchester’s musical and cultural history, representing it to the wider world and celebrating this by The Hacienda going back to its Whitworth Street roots on 21st May.

From a disused yacht showroom transformed by Ben Kelly in 1982 financed by Factory Records and New Order, The Hacienda was initially the epicentre for Manchester’s live band scene with seminal gigs from bands such as The Smiths, The Stone Roses, James, New Order, The Fall, Primal Scream, Pet Shop Boys, and even international artists such as Madonna and Nick Cave.

From 1984 onwards Mike Pickering’s Nude night set the club on course for the emerging dance sounds of the mid to late 80s which then collided with the ‘Madchester’ scene to create one of the most defining and energetic cultural movements of the late 20th century, as the club became internationally renowned in the process.

Inspiring countless artists, a city, and the world at large, The Hacienda may have closed its individually numbered doors in June 1997 but through countless events, media, and cultural references, in many ways The Hacienda and its unique soul that characterised those halcyon times has never actually left us.

“I am absolutely amazed to be here at the 40th,” said Peter Hook.

“I am delighted that this party has met with the residents’ approval, and they have given it their wholehearted support. It is a great accolade to Tony Wilson and Rob Gretton that their utopian vision for Manchester remains so strong today and the legacy is celebrated by a new generation.

“Power to the people!” 

Graeme Park said: “In the same way as ten years ago when The Hacienda was open, the anticipation and electric atmosphere on Whitworth Street as you approach the building will be back and I am looking forward to feeling that energy and celebrating The Hacienda’s legacy and continuing influence.”

“Since the 30th we have done some amazing things and the cultural resonance of The Hacienda has become even more substantial.

“The venue might have gone but the attitude, spirit and style that shaped the club lives on and will continue to do so, probably outlasting us all.” 

DJ Paulette said: “I was a punter at The Hacienda for years before I became a DJ.

“I have fond memories of Mike Pickering playing Wally Badarou’s Kiss of The Spider Woman one Friday night and me and my twin Paula danced and sweat so hard we ruined our freshly relaxed hair do’s.

“The Flesh first birthday party is a lasting memory that spawned the now iconic silver metal bra and sequin knickers shot that endures into 2022.

“It is incredible that the legend has continued to grow over the years so that we can now entertain amazing crowds all over the world and all over again.

“I am thrilled to return to the car park and the site – I am a bit nervous and I know it will give me goosebumps.

“It has been a long time, but The Hacienda lives on.” 

The Hacienda 40th Birthday Party Pt 1will take place on Saturday 21st May 2022, 6pm to 2am at The Hacienda Apartments, 11 – 15 Whitworth Street West, M1 5DD. Tickets on pre-sale 10am Thurs 12th May 2022 and on general sale 10am Fri 13th May 2022 at fac51-thehacienda.com.