Manchester venues kept telling Ottillia she could put on any music she wanted — as long as it wasn’t jungle. In 1998, she found somewhere that said yes, and Squiggle Dee Mash was born. Ottillia joins Manchester Scene Stories to share her journey from discovering jungle in a Buxton car park to promoting her own nights in Manchester. She remembers travelling to raves at Kinetic, Vibealite and the Sanctuary before arriving in the city as a student with an ambition to create something of her own.

In this episode of Manchester Scene Stories, I sit down with Manchester singer-songwriter Caoilfhionn Rose to talk about her musical journey, from growing up in a house full of music to recording with The Durutti Column and releasing three albums on Gondwana Records.

Mark XTC joins me for a journey through Manchester’s jungle and drum & bass history — from Spin Inn Records and the Haçienda to Eastern Bloc, record-shop culture and the birth of a new sound in the early 1990s.

Manchester power pop pioneers Fast Cars join me for a fascinating conversation about the late 1970s Manchester music scene, their encounters with Joy Division, working with Martin Hannett, supporting The Jam and their unexpected success in Japan.

Mike Shaft joins Manchester Scene Stories to share a life in soul music — from Manchester’s nightclub dance floors to Piccadilly Radio and the story of Sunset Radio. Arriving from Grenada in 1968, Mike found his way into DJing through Northern Soul nights, cloakroom jobs and a chance behind the decks at Explosion. He remembers Rafters, Pips, Rufus and Placemate 7, alongside an unforgettable Loose Ends appearance at Legend that left hundreds outside.

Christine Leveridge joins me for a funny and brilliantly unfiltered journey through Manchester music, from Kiss AMC and the early hip-hop scene to the Haçienda, Hulme, rave culture and life around some of the city’s most important musicians. Christine recalls Kiss AMC signing to EMI, touring Europe and the memorable circumstances that eventually brought their time with the label to an end. She talks about making music with Anne-Marie, Chapter and the Verse and the wider circle of Manchester artists that surrounded them.

Manchester artist and DJ Stanley Chow joins Manchester Scene Stories to talk about The White Stripes, his Grammy-nominated work, the creative community around Night & Day Café and his years behind the decks at venues including Planet K and Fab Café. Stanley begins with the remarkable story of how a fan poster changed his career. After hearing that The White Stripes were playing Manchester Apollo, he created his own poster inspired by the band and shared it on MySpace.

In this episode of Manchester Scene Stories, I sit down with musician and producer Colin Thorpe to talk about his journey through Manchester’s musical underground, from post-punk and early electro to Chapter and the Verse and one of the defining records of the Acid House era.

Dominic Sotgiu joins Manchester Scene Stories to explore Manchester’s overlooked reggae history, the Blackburn warehouse parties, the beginnings of jungle and a lifetime spent discovering music.

Graham Massey and Alan Hempsall join Manchester Scene Stories to look back on the friendships, bands and experimental music that shaped their lives—from 1970s Manchester to punk, electronics and acid house.

Damien from Caulbearers joins Manchester Scene Stories for a conversation about Blackburn’s acid-house parties, Hulme’s creative community, meditation, psychedelics, political activism and the power of music to bring people together.

Guy Williams returns to Manchester Scene Stories for Part Two, going deeper into Flesh at The Haçienda, Manchester’s changing gay and queer club scene, the origins of Manumission and his journey from Manchester to Ibiza.

Elton takes us back into the clubs, characters and chaos of Manchester’s Acid House era — from the Number 1 Club and The Haçienda to Most Excellent, Manto and the Paradise Factory.

Paul Cons joins *Manchester Scene Stories* to talk about the Haçienda, Flesh, Manchester’s gay club scene, New York, Paradise Garage and the changing face of the city’s nightlife through the 1980s and 1990s.

Helea of Seirén joins Manchester Scene Stories to talk about performing music at healing ceremonies in Mexico, the psychedelic mushroom experience that inspired one of the band’s most striking videos, and her journey between Manchester and Mexico City. Helea has been making music for more than 20 years. While studying music at the University of Salford, she began putting together the project that would become Seirén, moving from performing songs alone towards the sound of a full band.

Cozmo D of Newcleus joins Manchester Scene Stories to look back at the roots of Jam-On Productions, the birth of Newcleus, the making of Jam-On’s Revenge and Jam On It, and the Brooklyn street culture that shaped his music.

In this episode of Manchester Scene Stories, I’m joined by Rafe, founder of The Temple of Convenience and Big Hands, alongside musician Graham Clark, for a fascinating conversation about Manchester’s independent venues, creative communities and the friendships that shaped them. Rafe reflects on his journey creating some of Manchester’s most distinctive venues, beginning with The Temple of Convenience before opening Big Hands. He also shares the story of the Ladybarn pub, a hugely ambitious project that ultimately failed after difficult experiences with pub companies, robberies and the pressures of running an independent business. The conversation explores how The Temple and Big Hands became welcoming spaces where musicians, artists, writers and creative people naturally came together. Graham remembers performing intimate Sunday afternoon sessions at The Temple, while Rafe explains how those musical moments created exactly the atmosphere he had hoped to build.

Matt Nickson joins Manchester Scene Stories to look back at the origins of Matt & Phred’s, Manchester’s jazz scene, the Northern Quarter and the musicians, venues and characters that shaped the city’s live music culture.

Manchester poet Mike Garry joins Manchester Scene Stories for a deeply personal conversation about grief, death, family, faith, poetry and the people we carry with us after they are gone. Known for his work with New Order, Philip Glass and Orbital, Mike has spent much of his life writing about people, place, loss and memory. In this conversation, he explains why he does not necessarily see death as something purely negative and why humour, storytelling and celebration can sit alongside grief.

Crispy Ambulance singer Alan Hempsall joins Manchester Scene Stories to talk about the band’s origins, Manchester’s late-1970s underground, the Musicians Collective and an unforgettable night performing with Joy Division.

Vox ( formerly Mark Burgess) ,joins Manchester Scene Stories to tell the story of The Chameleons, Script of the Bridge, Pips, the Ranch and the psychedelic Manchester that shaped one of Britain’s most enduring cult bands. In this wide-ranging interview, Vox explains the unlikely origin of Script of the Bridge’s title: an acid trip, a walk through the woods to Tandle Hill, and a friend staring at a motorway crossing and asking, “What’s the fucking script with this bridge?” That line, written into a notebook during the night, later inspired the album title and its famous artwork. We talk about The Chameleons’ early songs, including Monkeyland, Don’t Fall, Second Skin and Here Today, and the period when Vox was still discovering his voice as a singer and bassist. He reflects on influence, the search for an unmistakable vocal identity, and why the band never saw themselves as goth. Their sound drew instead from acid, punk, the Velvet Underground, Lou Reed, David Bowie, T. Rex, Sparks, the Beatles and the Doors.

Long before Madchester, Factory Records and the Haçienda became part of music history, another movement was quietly helping to shape Manchester's underground scene — The Manchester Musicians Collective.

Kath McDermott joins Manchester Scene Stories to talk about Manchester queer club culture, the Number One Club, Flesh, Manto, Paradise Factory, Homoelectric and her journey to BBC Radio 6 Music.

In this video I sit down with Neil Barker from King Bee Records in Chorlton to talk about Manchester record shop culture, vinyl collecting and the legendary music scenes connected to the shop over the last four decades. Neil started working at King Bee in 1990 at just 17 years old after insisting he wanted to work in a record shop rather than anywhere else. From there we dive deep into Manchester music history — from Piccadilly Records, Yanks, Power Cuts and Pandemonium Records through to The Ritz, Isadora’s, The Haçienda and the explosion of Manchester music in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Glenn Jones was there from the very beginning of the Manchester punk explosion, and in this fascinating interview he shares first-hand memories of the musicians, venues and chance encounters that helped shape one of the UK’s most influential music scenes.

Stella Grundy is one of Manchester’s most distinctive voices. Best known as the singer of Intastella, she played a key role in the city’s music and club culture from the early 1980s onwards. In this interview, Stella looks back on her journey from being a teenage singer in Moston to becoming the frontwoman of Intastella during the height of the Madchester era.

Kym Sims became one of the defining voices of early 1990s dance music with her classic hit Too Blind To See It, a track that crossed over from the underground house scene into the UK Top 10 and remains a dancefloor favourite more than 35 years later. In this interview, Kym looks back on her remarkable journey from Chicago to chart success in the UK. She explains how she began her career singing commercial jingles for major brands including McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell before a chance meeting with legendary Chicago house producer Steve “Silk” Hurley changed everything.

Denise Shaw was there at the very beginning of Manchester punk. In this interview, Denise shares her remarkable story of discovering punk in the mid-1970s and becoming part of a scene that would change British music forever. From the Ranch and Pips to the Electric Circus, she witnessed first-hand the arrival of bands including the Buzzcocks, Sex Pistols, The Clash, Slaughter and the Dogs, Chelsea and many others.

Spencer Birtwistle is best known as the drummer with Intastella and later The Fall, but his musical story goes much further back. In this Manchester Scene Stories interview, Spencer talks about growing up in a family of drummers, including his grandfather Wilson Bowers, a big band jazz drummer who was named Melody Maker Drummer of the Year in the 1940s. He remembers hearing drums in the family home, discovering music through old jukebox singles from his mum’s pub, and building an early love of records through glam rock, The Beatles, The Carpenters, T. Rex, The Sweet and more.

In this video I sit down with Lorraine, mum of Spencer Birtwistle from Intastella, for a brilliant journey through Manchester, Stockport and Marple music memories from the late 1950s through to the 1990s. Lorraine begins with memories of rock and roll nights in Liberal and Conservative clubs, where young people danced to Bill Haley, Little Richard and the early sounds of the era. She talks about teddy boy fashion, pencil skirts, blouses, bleached fringes and the strict world young people grew up in at the time.

In this episode of Manchester Scene Stories, I sit down with Northern Soul legend Richard Searling to explore one of the most important cultural movements to ever come out of the North of England. We start at the beginning — The Twisted Wheel in Manchester. Richard explains how the club evolved from a blues and R&B venue in the early 1960s into the birthplace of Northern Soul, with its legendary all-nighters, rare American records, and unforgettable live performances from artists like Junior Walker, Ben E. King and Billy Stewart.

In this long-awaited second interview, Manchester legend Kim Shady returns with another incredible collection of stories from decades spent at the heart of Manchester music, club and backstage culture. From lending gear to A Certain Ratio in the early 80s, to wild nights in Hulme with Andy Weatherall, Kim takes us through a lifetime of unforgettable moments connected to Manchester’s underground scene.

Huggy was there at the heart of UK house music — from Eastern Bloc Records in Manchester to The Orbit and Back to Basics. In this interview, he shares what it was really like as house music exploded in the late 80s and 90s.

Woody sits down with me for a brilliant, wide-ranging conversation about growing up between Ireland and Eccles, discovering hip hop through graffiti culture, digging for records in Manchester, and becoming part of some of the city’s most loved underground club nights.

Pat Fahy opens up about growing up in care, discovering creativity, and finding freedom in Manchester’s acid house years. In this conversation, Pat talks about being in care from the age of two, having his own flat while still at school, and how art, design and music became a way forward. He shares how one early moment with a foster carer stayed with him for life, and how creativity gave him focus long before he ever stepped into college or club culture.

In this episode of Manchester Scene Stories, I sit down with legendary DJ Jon Dasilva for a wide-ranging conversation about the music, clubs and cultural shifts that shaped his journey — from being blown away by David Bowie as a kid, to becoming one of the defining DJs of the Haçienda era.

In this episode of Manchester Scene Stories, I sit down with Jane Winterbottom to explore the early Manchester electro and breakdance scene of the 1980s, and the moment Planet Rock by Africa Bambaataa changed everything. What unfolds is one of the most vivid accounts I’ve ever heard about how electro, breakdancing and early hip hop hit the UK in the early 1980s

I sat down with Tammy Jayne after hearing a poem that stopped me in my tracks. “Take Me Back” isn’t just about rave — it’s about release, connection, trauma, and why that era still means so much to people today. Tammy first came into my world after reading her powerful poem at the end of my interview with Jay Wearden. The poem, Take Me Back, instantly stood out to me because it captured something deeper than simple nostalgia. It wasn’t just about nights out, clubs and ecstasy — it was about release, connection, survival and what that era gave to so many people who were going through difficult times.

From a French student dreaming in Paris cafés to co-creating two of Manchester’s most important LGBTQ+ spaces, this is the story of Pete Dalton, Manto and Paradise Factory – told in Pete’s own words.

Part 2 of my deep dive with Hewan Clarke — the first resident DJ at The Haçienda — joined again by Aniff Akinola, sharing incredible memories and insight into Manchester’s club and DJ culture. In this episode we go right back to the beginning, to Pips — the club where Hewan first put a needle on a record and realised he wanted to become a DJ.

In this episode of Manchester Scene Stories, I sit down with Rafe, the founder of two of Manchester’s most unique venues: The Temple of Convenience and Big Hands.

Lou Rhodes, best known as the voice of Lamb and the iconic track Górecki, sits down to talk about her new musical chapter with Kiiōtō — a project born from creativity, chance, and a return to pure musical expression.

Hewan Clarke, the first DJ at The Haçienda, tells the real story of the club’s opening alongside Aniff Akinola — from Tony Wilson’s vision to the chaotic first night that shaped Manchester’s nightlife culture. Part 1 of my deep dive with Hewan Clarke — the first ever DJ at The Haçienda — joined by Aniff Akinola, who provides quality control, memories, and context from the dancefloor to the DJ booth.

In this episode of Manchester Scene Stories, I sit down with Manchester artist Danny Cawley for a conversation that moves between memories of the city’s past, the early graffiti scene, the Manchester club culture explosion, and the loss of our mutual friend Andy Burns, who sadly passed away this week. Danny and I both knew Andy through different circles in Manchester, and we begin by remembering him — a big Manchester City fan, a funny and unpredictable character who meant a lot to many people in the city. Danny talks about visiting Andy in hospital before he passed away and the kind of friend he was to people during difficult times.

In this episode of Manchester Scene Stories, I sit down with George, a Salford lad who lived Manchester’s 1960s music scene first-hand — not just as a fan, but from the inside. This interview is part of my 1960s Manchester playlist, where people who were there share their memories of the city’s clubs, music and youth culture.

What was the Manchester music scene really like in the 1960s? In this episode of Manchester Scene Stories, I’m joined by George Borowski – a legendary Manchester singer-songwriter whose career stretches back to the 1960s and who’s still creating, performing and inspiring people today. George’s story also features in Book 2 of Manchester Scene Stories, where the city’s musical history is told through the voices of the people who lived it.

In this episode of Manchester Scene Stories, I sit down with photographer Kaz McBride to explore her journey from a curious young girl in North Manchester to one of the city’s most respected music photographers. Kaz’s story begins long before the gigs and big names. As a child growing up near Cheetham Hill, she was fascinated by imagery and instinctively understood the power of photographs to preserve change and memory. After experiencing bullying at school, she discovered that art and portrait drawing could transform relationships and break down barriers. That early understanding — that imagery could be a positive force — became the foundation of her career.

Nick “Redgey” Redshaw is on Manchester Scene Stories – and if you love proper Manchester music history, this one’s a gem. Nick grew up in Salford and takes us right back to the late 70s / early 80s when punk hit like a shockwave. From Hope High School days and first guitars (and ridiculously loud amps), to rehearsals in cellars, band names that barely made sense, and the DIY energy that made you feel like you could do it yourself.

In this Manchester Scene Stories interview, I sit down with legendary Moss Side dancers Foot Patrol – Samson and Zippa Tafari – to explore how they helped shape Manchester’s early house music culture and The Haçienda era.

Johnny Roadhouse: The Sax Man Behind Manchester’s Music Shop In this interview, I’m joined by Helen Roadhouse, daughter of the late Johnny Roadhouse — a legendary Manchester character best known for the long-running music shop on Oxford Road, and for being a working musician long before most people knew his name.

Mick Rossi is the guitarist in Slaughter & The Dogs, one of the most important bands to come out of Manchester’s original punk scene. In this wide-ranging conversation, Mick reflects on growing up in 1970s Manchester, discovering punk, surviving poverty and violence, and finding a way out through music.

In this long-form interview, Debs looks back on her experiences at Pips Nightclub — one of Manchester’s most important and influential underground clubs of the 1970s and early 1980s.

Graham Massey and Graham Clark on 1970s Manchester, record shops, DIY culture, and the scenes that shaped the city before the headlines.

Graham Clark's story travels through some of the most creative corners of Manchester’s music history — from early experiments in the late ’70s with Graham Massey, to the deep improvisational roots that shaped bands like Danny & The Dressmakers, Biting Tongues and later 808 State. His journey is a reminder that the city’s culture

In this episode I sit down with Bobbi and Paul from K-Klass to talk through their journey into house music and the moment Manchester changed everything.

In this conversation, Phil traces his early career — from assisting on projects with Colin Verncombe (Black) to fronting his own band Sugarloaf, and discovering his love for soul, funk, and eclectic sounds. But the story that still turns heads is his time at the Pink Museum in December 1993, when a new Manchester band walked through the doors: Oasis.

Eddie Rhead is back for part two – and this time we’re going even deeper into Hardcore Uproar, K-Klass, Blackburn raves, Glasgow all-nighters and the wild journeys that came with the early house scene.

In this episode, I sit down with Gonnie Rietveld, founding member of Quando Quango, one of Factory Records’ most innovative and adventurous bands. From Rotterdam record shops to New York dancefloors, her story traces the early intersections of post-punk, electro, and house that helped shape Manchester’s dance culture.

In this episode of Manchester Scene Stories, I sit down with Duncan Prestbury — a musician whose life has intersected with almost every major wave of Manchester’s underground culture. From punk and new wave to DIY indie labels, early jazz-dance, The Electric Circus, The Fall, Spherical Objects, Object Music, Dub Sex, and the global success of The Jazz Defektors Duncan’s story travels through some of the most important cultural movements Manchester ever produced

In this long-form conversation, I sit down with Rikki Turner, former frontman of Paris Angels, to talk about the band’s beginnings, the making of Perfume, and Manchester during one of its most intense and creative periods.

Carlotta grew up in Didsbury and, thanks to a tight web of early connections around Factory Records and the Haçienda, found herself in exactly the right place at the right time as Acid House hit Manchester. In this conversation, she traces that journey from skiving school to the Midland pub, sneaking into the club before Hot nights, and riding the first wave of 1988 — bandanas, dungarees, new tempos, and a city that suddenly felt transformed.

Step into the story of MC Kwasi — one of Manchester’s most enduring voices. From youth clubs and sound systems to global tours with The Chameleons and long-running collaborations with Mr. Scruff, Kwasi’s journey charts the evolution of the city’s underground music scene from the 1980s to now.

Step inside Manchester’s legendary Boardwalk with Sue Langford — known to everyone as Sue Boardwalk. In this exclusive interview, Sue shares the inside story of one of the city’s most influential venues of the 1980s and ’90s — a space where Oasis, Happy Mondays, A Certain Ratio, James, and countless others got their start.

In this episode of Manchester Scene Stories, I sit down with Karl Brockbank, one of the early names from Manchester’s breakdance and electro scene. Karl came up in the early 1980s — long before the rave explosion — when crews were discovering body-popping, lino floors, and a new sound taking over from funk.

Electro pioneer Man Parrish sits down with me for a wildly candid, funny, and revealing conversation about the birth of New York’s early-’80s electronic sound—and how his tracks helped give breakdancing and hip-hop their first synthesized soundtrack.

This is my second live, in front of an audience interview, this time with Jay Wearden, a DJ whose journey runs from early hip hop obsession to Manchester’s underground: Precinct 13, Konspiracy, Thunderdome and the legendary Hippos.

Step inside the journey of Guy Williams — one of Manchester’s most respected DJs whose story stretches from the record-stuffed garage of his childhood home in Cheadle Hulme to the dancefloors of Ibiza.

Step inside Manchester’s nightlife history with Leroy and Vera — two people who lived through the city’s most influential venues, from the Reno to Dry Bar.

In this interview, I sit down with Mark Jones, a highly respected Manchester DJ recommended by Tiger, to dive deep into the history of High Energy, Northern Soul, and the early days of House music in the city.

Step back into Manchester’s vibrant nightlife of the 1980s and 90s with my good friend Steve Redshaw. In this candid and funny conversation, Steve shares his journey from being a teenage punk to playing in local bands, rubbing shoulders with future stars, and working in some of the city’s most iconic venues.

In this episode, I sit down with Nico Harmony, a rising Manchester artist with music in her blood. Nico grew up surrounded by creativity — her mum, Stella Grundy, fronted Intastella and later wrote plays such as Rising Fall of a Northern Star, while her dad, Spencer Birtwistle, remains a respected drummer. With such a legacy behind her, Nico could have felt the pressure. Instead, she has carved her own path, balancing raw honesty with a powerful presence on stage.

In this episode, I sit down with percussionist and storyteller Danny Ward—a key figure in Manchester's live music and club scenes whose musical journey took him from Urban Cookie Collective and The Key, The Secret, to jazz workshops in Hume and acid house jams at The Kitchen.

Photographer Jim Fry sits down to trace a life lived through lenses, bands and the North’s music tribes. Raised in Stockport/Cheshire, Jim came up alongside Gordon King and Tony Ogden, first messing about in shambolic early-’80s groups that evolved into World of Twist. He talks about the junk-shop glam and synth-tinted soul they loved, art-school screen-printing, and the belief that a band should put on a show—risers, UV, pyro, even a notorious stage volcano.

Step back into the swinging 1960s with Joan, who moved to Manchester in 1963 to study botany at university. In this conversation, she paints a vivid picture of student life, nightlife, and music during one of the most transformative decades in popular culture.

Vera Green came highly recommended by Cath Berry as someone with a deep and colourful history in Manchester’s nightlife. From working behind the bar at the legendary Russell Club in Hulme during the late 70s to spending nights at the Reno Club in Moss Side, Vera’s memories shine a light on the places and people that shaped the city’s scene.

For once, the mic’s on me. In this special episode of Manchester Scene Stories, my oldest mate Steve flips the script and interviews me about how grief, PTSD, and a left-field healing tool (EFT tapping) pushed me toward making these videos about Manchester’s nightlife and culture.

In this final part of my three-part interview with Bill, we follow his return to Manchester in the mid-1980s — a period filled with clubs, fashion, creativity, and personal resilience.

In this second instalment of my three-part conversation with Bill Smart, we pick up his journey at the turn of the 1980s — a time when fashion, music, and club culture were colliding in exciting, and sometimes challenging, ways. Bill’s story moves from Manchester’s dancefloors to the unexpected world of high-fashion modelling.

This is Part 1 of my in-depth conversation with Bill Smart, taking us right back to his earliest years — from a childhood in Dr Barnardo’s to life in Old Trafford and Moss Side — and the experiences that shaped him.

In this episode, I sit down with Red Venom—Manchester rapper, producer, and hip-hop historian—for a wide-ranging conversation that spans decades of music, stories, and unforgettable moments.

In this heartfelt interview, Debs Wild shares her extraordinary journey from working in childcare to becoming a key player in the British music industry — and discovering Coldplay. Debs opens up about her Northern roots, her passion for music, and how sheer determination got her a foot in the door at labels like PWL and Kiss 102. With humour and humility, she recalls creating a mock newspaper called Wild Times to stand out from the crowd — long before LinkedIn or online CVs.

In this video, I sit down with Jane, whose TikTok comments caught my attention for her deep knowledge of Manchester’s music scene. This is the first time we’ve spoken, and what follows is a rich, personal journey through the cultural heartbeat of Manchester in the late 1980s and early ’90s — told through the eyes of someone who lived and breathed it.

In this in-depth conversation, I sit down with Graham Massey—founder of 808 State and key figure in Manchester’s experimental and rave music scene. We cover the wild, brilliant chaos that led to the birth of 808 State, from his early days working in a cafe on Oldham Street to producing groundbreaking tracks in Spirit Studios.

In this exclusive interview, I sit down with Eastern Bloc Records co-founder John Berry to celebrate the shop’s 40th anniversary and reflect on its pivotal role in shaping Manchester’s underground music scene.

In this video, I sit down with Darren Harvey to talk about one of the most legendary nightclubs in UK rave history—Shelley’s Laserdome in Stoke-on-Trent.

In this video, I sit down with Drew Ellison — better known to many as Andy E — to talk about his role in Manchester’s legendary music scene during the rise of house music, the acid era, and the Madchester movement.

In this video, I sit down with Nicky Lockett—better known as MC Tunes—a pioneering rapper from Manchester whose story bridges the early Electro scene, UK Hip Hop, and the rise of rave culture.

In this interview, Leo B. Stanley — the man behind the iconic “And On the Sixth Day God Created Manchester” T-shirt — tells the story of how a late-night spark of inspiration led to one of the most recognisable slogans in Manchester’s cultural history.

In this interview, I sit down with DJ Persian, one of the key figures behind the music at Manchester’s legendary Reno Club — a basement venue in Moss Side that became a cultural and social hub through the 1970s and early ’80s.

In this fascinating interview, DJ Martin Prendergast shares his remarkable journey through Manchester’s evolving club culture — from his early days at the Berlin club to becoming a key figure behind the decks at The Hacienda in the mid-1980s.

In this interview, Manchester DJ Doctor D (Dennis) takes us on a vivid journey through the city’s evolving club scene — from the legendary Reno Club in the early ’80s in Moss Side to rave fields, pirate radio, and touring with The Orb.

In this video, I sit down with Coddy to hear his vivid memories of growing up in Manchester and his unforgettable clubbing days spanning the 1980s and 1990s. Recommended to me by Jacqui—who appeared in a previous video—Coddy has known her since they were both teenagers. After he commented on my Facebook post about Jacqui’s video, she chimed in to say, “Coddy was there from day one.” That was all the encouragement I needed to get him on camera.

Melanie shares her vivid memories of discovering Manchester’s legendary Corbieres wine bar in the 1980s – a place that would shape her social life, music tastes, and even her career. Recommended to me by Cath Berry, Melanie opens up about how her journey into the city’s nightlife began with Cath’s brother Andrew, an apprentice hairdresser, who invited her for a drink at Corbiers after college one day. What started as an exciting trip into town quickly became a huge part of her life.

In this brilliant interview, Kate Mountain shares her incredible journey with Manchester’s legendary live venue, The Roadhouse — a basement club that played a major role in the city’s music scene throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

In this episode, I sit down with Tim Williams — a defining figure in Manchester’s underground club scene — to explore his remarkable journey through the city’s music and nightlife evolution. From Hulme’s legendary Kitchen Parties to the groundbreaking Konspiracy Club beneath the Corn Exchange, and eventually managing VIP nights in Miami, Tim’s story is one of hustle, creativity, and cultural impact.

In this episode, I sit down with Pete Orme—best known from the iconic band Awesome 3—to dive deep into his journey through the rise of house music and the rave scene in the UK.

In this episode, Tony Ross shares his incredible journey through the birth and explosion of House and Acid House music in Manchester. Recommended by Jacqui, who appeared in a previous video on this channel, Tony opens up about discovering electronic music as a kid and how that sound changed everything for him.

In this vibrant interview, I sit down with Danny Henry, better known as Danny Dancer, a Manchester icon known for his street performances and deep roots in the city’s club culture. I first remember seeing Danny dance at The Hacienda on Wednesday nights, but today, he’s famous for his street performances across Manchester city centre.

In this interview, DJ Greg Wilson takes us deep into the influential history of Legend nightclub in Manchester and its role in the emergence of Electro music in the UK. Best known for his groundbreaking sets at Legend and Wigan Pier in the early 1980s, Greg reflects on a unique moment in British club culture that helped shape what came next—from Hip Hop to House and the Hacienda rave era.

In this lively conversation, Bill Smart and Pablo Blanquito explore the deep connection between fashion, music, and identity in the UK club scene. They reflect on how clothing wasn’t just about style—it was a way of expressing individuality, finding belonging, and making a statement on the dance floor.

In this interview, legendary DJ Buckley shares his incredible journey from Leeds to becoming a key figure in the UK club scene. He reveals how he got his first gig at The Hacienda in 1991 when Graeme Park asked him to fill in for Tom Wainwright, who was away on holiday. At the time, Buckley wasn’t playing anywhere regularly, but he had built friendships with Graeme Park and Mike Pickering after moving to Manchester.

In this captivating interview, I sit down with Aniff Akinola, a true “music survivor” who has been a key figure in the Manchester club scene since 1979. From his early days exploring the underground club culture to co-writing Voodoo Ray, forming Chapter and The Verse, and working on Urban Cookie Collective and Backyard Dog, Aniff’s journey is deeply intertwined with the evolution of UK music. In this episode, we focus on The Gallery, one of Manchester’s most influential clubs, run by Omar Guedar.

In this captivating interview, Gino Brandolani takes us on a journey through his incredible life in Manchester’s punk and club scenes. From hearing Sheena Is a Punk Rocker at 15 and finding his place in punk, to fighting against the National Front with the Anti-Nazi League, Gino’s stories are raw, hilarious, and filled with history.

In this fascinating interview, I sit down with Gouldy to explore how his first experience with Ecstasy in 1988 changed his life and led him deep into the Acid House movement. From his early days with Leeds football hooligans to becoming a Hacienda regular, Gouldy shares a raw and gripping account of how the rave scene transformed UK clubbing culture forever.

In this video, I sit down with Jacqui, who I first met at the gym when she told me she had been watching my YouTube videos. It turns out she was a real face back in the day at the Hacienda and has been helping me connect with people for my videos. Jacqui shares her incredible journey through the Manchester music scene, starting with taping Stu Allan’s soul music shows in school, discovering hip-hop and breakdancing, and then stepping into the world of clubs like the Gallery and the Hacienda.

In this exclusive interview, I sit down with Eddie Rhead, a well-known figure on Manchester’s legendary club scene and the go-to driver for some of the city’s biggest DJs during the rise of House music and the Hacienda era.

In this in-depth conversation, I sit down with Martin Moscrop of the legendary Manchester band A Certain Ratio (ACR) to explore their groundbreaking early years and the profound impact their time in New York City had on their music and the Manchester music scene.

In this fascinating interview, I sit down with cultural historian, political commentator, and author Philip Kiszely to reminisce about Isadoras, a short-lived but legendary Manchester nightclub, and the vibrant music and club scene of the late 1980s and beyond. Phil takes us back to 1989 when Isadoras opened its doors, offering a psychedelic escape from the harsh realities of the decade

In this captivating conversation, I sit down with John Tracy, one of the original DJs at Manchester’s iconic Hacienda nightclub, as he shares his incredible journey through the club’s formative years and his experiences in the evolving music scene of the 1980s. John reflects on being part of the Hacienda family and how those days remain vivid in his memory. From his early days as a record-collecting architecture student in Sheffield to DJing at influential clubs like Penny’s, John’s passion for music shines throughout.

In this interview, I chat with David Dunne about his journey from the punk scene to becoming a pioneer of House music and his long-standing career as a DJ and music enthusiast. David reflects on how the late 70s and early 80s music scenes evolved, with punk giving way to electronic sounds. Clubs like Pips in Manchester were instrumental in this shift, where tracks like Gary Numan’s “Are Friends Electric” were played before they hit the charts.

In this interview, I sit down with Marc Hough, best known as Tin Tin, New Order’s tour DJ, to explore his incredible journey through Manchester’s club and music scenes. I first met Tin Tin in 1989 at Lazy Lils, but his DJ career began in 1987 at Archies and The Venue, where he helped shape the sound of a generation.

In this exclusive Part 2 interview, Simon Wolstencroft shares captivating stories from his time with The Fall, his friendship with Ian Brown, and his experiences touring the world. Simon recounts the highs and lows of his 11 years with The Fall, starting with recording Bend Sinister at Abbey Road Studios in 1986, one of his favorite albums. He reveals anecdotes about Mark E. Smith, including his play Hey Luciani and the ballet I Am Kurious Oranj, performed at Saddler’s Wells and in front of the Queen of Holland.

In this interview, I chat with Tom Wainwright, one of the key DJs at the Hacienda, about his journey into House music and his experiences during the golden age of club culture. Tom reflects on how Hot Night at the Hacienda in 1988 transformed him, recalling how the energy, Ecstasy, and Acid House heads created a scene like no other. The first night had just 50 people, but by the next week, the entire club was alive with excitement, changing everything for him.

In Part 1 of this two-part series, I sit down with Simon Wolstencroft, legendary drummer for The Fall and a key figure in Manchester’s vibrant music scene. From his early days playing in bands with Ian Brown and John Squire (later of The Stone Roses) to his time in The Fall, Simon shares fascinating stories from his remarkable career.

In this video, I sit down with Nick to dive into the incredible history of Corbières Wine Cavern, one of Manchester’s most iconic 1980s bars. Known for its legendary jukebox and eclectic clientele, Corbières played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s alternative and music scenes.

In this follow-up video, I sit down with Leah as she shares her incredible scrapbook filled with memories and artifacts from her days on the Manchester clubbing scene. From designing outfits for MC Tunes and his backing singers to backstage passes and flyers from legendary nights, Leah’s scrapbook is a treasure trove of music history.

In this captivating interview, Dermo and Rob from the iconic Manchester band Northside share fascinating stories from their journey in music, offering a glimpse into the vibrant culture of Manchester’s music scene. From their early days at Butterfly Records to performing on Top of the Pops, this conversation is packed with incredible moments and insights.

In this captivating interview, Leah shares her incredible journey through Manchester’s iconic clubbing scene, starting at age 16 when she first tried to get into The Hacienda. After 18 months of being turned away, her partner Eric finally got her in, and from there, her life in the world of music and rave culture began.

Join us in this insightful interview with Aniff Akinola as he shares his experiences in the heart of Manchester’s evolving music scene. Aniff talks about his early days in clubs like New Century Hall, where he first experienced the thrill of dancing to DJ Mike Shaft, and his time at Rafters, where he connected with DJ Colin Curtis and Hewan Clarke, shaping his passion for jazz, funk, and soul.

In this candid interview, I sit down with my lifelong friend Joanne Jones to reminisce about our wild experiences growing up together in Eccles and discovering the Acid House and rave scenes in Manchester. Jo shares memories of her years working behind the bar at the legendary Hacienda nightclub, witnessing unforgettable moments and seeing a side of Manchester nightlife few people know.

In this interview, DJ and record shop legend Russ Marland talks about his pivotal role in bringing House music to Manchester and DJing at the iconic Hacienda. Starting at Spin Inn Records in 1986, Russ shares how he was influenced by Mike Shaft’s radio show, where he discovered the sound of Electro and House music. He reminisces about queuing up for records and eventually landing a job at Spin Inn, just as House music was beginning to take over the city.

In this exclusive interview, Leroy Richardson, former manager of the iconic Hacienda and Dry Bar in Manchester, shares his journey from machine tool engineer to a key figure in Manchester’s music scene. Leroy reflects on his early days enjoying music at clubs like Pips, his time playing football for Manchester City youth team, and his first encounter with the Hacienda through Tony Wilson. He talks about the early struggles of the club, how Dry Bar became one of the UK’s first designer bars, and the vibrant energy that made the Hacienda famous.

In this exclusive interview, Steve Murray from the iconic punk band Fast Cars shares fascinating stories from the punk scene in Manchester. We dive into how Fast Cars influenced The Happy Mondays, with Shaun Ryder calling Steve his hero and Paul Ryder crediting the band as a major inspiration.

In this in-depth conversation, I sit down with Vince Vega to explore his incredible journey through Manchester’s rave scene, from his early experiences of the iconic Hacienda nightclub in 1988 to becoming the tour DJ for The Happy Mondays. Vince shares his first unforgettable rave night at The Thunderdome, where he dropped acid and danced the night away, leading him to a life dedicated to Manchester’s underground party culture.

In this fascinating interview, Manchester artist and filmmaker Mark Jordan shares his unique experiences from the 1970s punk era through the rise of acid house and the influence of the LGBTQ+ community on Manchester’s cultural landscape. Known for his work on the Queerchester documentary, Mark opens up about his early days working at Eric’s nightclub in Liverpool, where he encountered iconic bands like the B-52s and Jilted John. He fondly recalls meeting these music legends both in the early days and later in life at festivals like Granada.

In this fascinating interview, Kim shares his memories of working at the iconic Hacienda nightclub during the height of Manchester’s Acid House and punk scenes. Kim takes us on a journey through the early days of Factory Records, recalling his visits to the Russell Club at 14, where punk and reggae started mixing under the influence of Tony Wilson. He shares stories about the Hacienda before it was built, working in the kitchen on its opening night, and his lifetime membership at the club.

In this video, I sit down with my friend Tiger, a legendary figure in Manchester’s Gay Village, to discuss his incredible experiences and the evolution of the gay club scene. We start by hearing how Tiger got his nickname at school and his early days coming out in 1979 at just 16 years old. He shares stories about his introduction to the gay scene through Bernards Bar, and how the gay community was largely underground at the time. Tiger’s passion for post-punk and alternative music shaped his early days, but things changed when the house music revolution hit Manchester.

In this video, I sit down with my friend Bill to dive deep into the history of Manchester’s Gay Village and its transformation through hedonism, rave culture, and the rise of house music. Bill recounts his first experiences in the Village, starting in 1974, when the area was less developed and more underground. He describes how the area was a red-light district and how gay culture was mostly hidden at the time. He recalls his first visit to Sims Bar, a secretive place where you had to knock to gain entry. The drug of choice then was poppers (amyl nitrate), but heavier drugs like LSD and cocaine also started to enter the scene.