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.
Martin’s obsession with music began at age 10, fuelled by listening to John Peel and saving his school lunch money to buy records at Virgin Megastore on Market Street. By 16, he was a regular at Berlin’s Thursday goth nights. After constantly requesting songs, the DJ, Steve Bracewell (formerly of Pips), invited him to help with setup — paying £5 a night and offering free drinks. Martin eventually assisted on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, learning about soul, swing, and alternative scenes that were shaping Manchester.
His first Hacienda opportunity came in 1985 via Angela Matthews, the club’s bar manager, who introduced him to Mike Pickering and Andrew Berry. Though his Tuesday student night — dubbed “Summer of Love” — was sparsely attended, it attracted key future figures like members of The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, and Inspiral Carpets. He recalls playing Pink Floyd’s 10-minute “Interstellar Overdrive” to 30 people in a nearly empty room, but the energy was unforgettable.
Martin’s knowledge of black music deepened after working Wednesday nights at Manchester Polytechnic, taking over from Mick Hucknall of Simply Red. He also teamed up with Mike Pickering on Fridays, eventually becoming half of the DJ duo MP², with Mike regularly bringing back cutting-edge records from New York.
A defining moment came when a clubber handed Martin two records: “No Way Back” by Adonis and “Love Can’t Turn Around” by Farley Jackmaster Funk. That night, he and Mike played both — and instantly knew something big was shifting. By 1987, House and Detroit Techno dominated their sets. As the sound matured into Acid House, Martin was already spinning tracks by Phuture, Fast Eddie, and Marshall Jefferson, a year before the “Second Summer of Love” took off in 1988.
Martin’s residency was interrupted after a trip to the U.S. led to unexpected legal issues. While he was stuck overseas, Graeme Park began covering for Mike — and Martin’s return to the Hacienda came too late to reclaim his role. Though he later tried a comeback, the music landscape had shifted, and he was no longer aligned with the direction of student nights.
Despite setbacks, Martin continued to DJ professionally and now lives in Texas, still playing current music. He reflects on his time in Manchester with gratitude — from DJing gigs during the week to watching the rise of Factory Records and working in the same club as his heroes New Order.
When asked to name a track that captures his Hacienda experience, Martin chooses “French Kiss” by Lil Louis — a timeless, genre-defining anthem from the height of the era.
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