Hacienda
The Hacienda is a Manchester legend. This famous nightclub opened in 1982 and in its early years was mainly a live music venue. The venture was financed by Factory Records and New Order and events were initially low key affairs, although there were notable exceptions including Madonna’s first UK appearance.
1986 saw a shift in focus from bands to DJs and shortly after the venue became the first in the UK to play house music. By 1988, riding the wave of rave culture and ecstasy, the club had become famous not only in Manchester but throughout the world.
In 1989 Claire Leighton collapsed at the club and later died. It was the UK’s first well-publicised ecstasy death and the first sign of the Hacienda’s impending doom. Gang warfare and widespread drug dealing followed. The club closed in 1997 and is now the site of overpriced apartments bearing the same name.
Video: Strings of Life: A Hacienda Classic
Techno guru Derrick May (aka Rhythim is Rhythim) discusses Strings of Life; a Hacienda classic.
By Figfilm
Reviews / Comments / Additional Information
More folk have died from alcohol than E, even more so! More people have died from eating nuts which they are allergic to.
So cheers to the government and chief of police for destroying a happy club. I go out now and clubs which are of that culture have no problems and if they do it's solely drink fuelled fighting not over drugs.
Born in Salford in 1950, ‘Mr Manchester’ was famous for setting up Factory Records, the label of New Order and the Happy Mondays, founding the Hacienda nightclub, and the In the City music festival.
However we will remember him most for a little known late night TV show from the late 1980s. At a time when North West England was distinctly unfashionable and economically ruined, Tony worked tirelessly on the Other Side of Midnight to promote the region, particularly Manchester. Without his inspiration, this site probably wouldn’t exist.