Dawn over the Hacienda apartments (left) as a commuter train trundles along the railway viaduct.
The Hacienda nightclub opened in 1982 and closed in 1997, with dozens of groundbreaking acts playing there including Teardrop Explodes, A Certain Ratio, Echo and the Bunnymen, Jah Wobble and The Invaders Of The Hearts, Gregory Isaacs, Orange Juice, Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds, Bauhaus, Gil Scott Heron, Psychedelic Furs, Simple Minds, The Violent Femmes, Madonna (in her early days-1984), New Order, Everything But The Girl, James, The Smiths, Blur, The Stone Roses...
A well written potted history by someone who lived it is at: http://www.factoryrecords.net/thehacienda/history.htm
The film 24 Hour Party People also told its momentous story. See footage (includes profanities) at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHox6VhPtPE&feature=related
The club was demolished and replaced by the Hacienda Apartments in 2002. The blue boards of the building on the right have now been there for about 20 years- I had thought they were temporary patching up for when the Olympic committee came to inspect the Manchester 1996 and 2000 Olympic bids (back in the early 1990s) but apparantly they are permanent, as the building has now been empty for two decades! The turret is part of the City Road pub.
You can explore more Skywatch Fridays posts from all over the world at: http://skyley.blogspot.com/
Like you I am surprised that a building in a major city can be empty for 20 odd years. I was never really into most of the above bands but I have seen Echo and the Bunnymen, thanks to previous girlfriend who was a fan. Paul at Leeds in Yorkshire daily photography
ReplyDeleteSplendid list of bands - saw a number of them on the set of The Tube (if you are old enough to remember that!) when I lived in Newcastle. It feels a lifetime ago.
ReplyDeleteStewart M - Australia
Nice :)
ReplyDeleteahhh i loved so many of those bands back in the day!
ReplyDelete(Sorry my bad English). Ever nice pictures. In January, I'll be in London but, unfortunately, few days, and I will not be able to visit Manchester. Your pictures do to love the town.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Chrissy! Wonderful shot. Excellent music and memories.
ReplyDeleteEverything good comes to an end at some time, right? The sky is beautiful here. Love the pink!
ReplyDeleteAn impressive orange sky there, very well captured!
ReplyDeleteLéia
Beautiful sky
ReplyDeleteI was a teenager in the 80s & although I never went to the Hacienda I remember hearing about it and thinking it must be the coolest place!
ReplyDeleteFilled with history to its top. Thank you for the memories from various bands.
ReplyDeletePlease have a good weekend ahead.
Really impressive list of bands. Too bad the club is gone. Seems like new bands trying to get started don't have much opportunity anymore.
ReplyDelete