sorry if you have seen this, but I'm on the South mailing list, and I thought you might like to know...
South Night Club is 10 years old and on Friday the 25th and Saturday the 26th of November will celebrate its decade long span with a spectacular Birthday Party. Expect fireworks as The Rock & Roll Bar and Disco Rescue go head to head in an awesome sound clash to the death. Only the strongest will survive... Who survives?... You decide. In the Red Corner, the ‘Rock and Roll Bar’ residents, Phil Beckett, Jeff Thomas and Nev Cottie will be joined by Mani (Primal Scream) on 25.11.05 and Mike Sweeney (Capital Gold) on 26.11.05. In the Blue Corner, Clint Boon and his tribe will be accompanied by Rick Witter (Shed 7) on 25.11.05 and Peter Hook (New Order) on 26.11.05. Our referee for the weekend will be the quiet and retiring Rowetta*, who will have her hands full containing these raging beastly jockeys.
But first, some history………….
For over thirty years, the basement at 4a South King Street, Manchester has been a unique location, reflecting the shifting history of Manchester nightlife. In the beginning it was a gay club, trading throughout the 70's first as ‘Bernard's Bar’, then as ‘Stuffed Olives’. In the 80's, at the height of the High Energy music craze, it became ‘Precinct 13’, a legendary clone club. The late 80's saw it go ‘straight’ and hold infamous rave parties on a Sunday where DJs such as Jon Da Silva and the Jam MCs first cut their teeth. In the 90's, new owners brought a further name change creating the uber ‘Bar Kay’ and then in 1992, Paul Cons, promoter of The Hacienda and creator of the infamous ‘Flesh’ night, launched ‘The Glory Hole’. This wildly successful but short lived gay night ended rather abruptly.
However, Cons had fallen for the club and a couple of years later he returned to promote ‘Stereo’, an Acid Jazz /funk night with Mike Chadwick. This was the era of gangland Manchester and a shooting outside the club led to the revocation of it's license and the eviction of it's owners. Paul Cons always alive to an opportunity stepped in and South was born!
In the era of the super club and gang warfare, Cons was convinced that what Manchester needed was an unpretentious friendly club inspired by a philosophy of small is beautiful. Ably assisted by promoter Matt Ryan, Cons set about building just such a club. The rest as they say is history…..
The flagship for the club’s success is the now legendary ‘Rock + Roll Bar’. In 1995, The Rock + Roll Bar at South provided a welcome respite after 7 years of acid and house music club nights by playing the records that were the staple of many clubbers collections; soul, ska, punk, funk, hip-hop, northern soul, whatever: Rock + Roll music. Original Rock + Roll Bar DJ, Phil Beckett has been playing such records for ten years strong. Alongside various partners in the booth including current squeezes Jeff Thomas and Nev Cottie, the Rock + roll Bar has attracted a crowd as diverse as its music. The mix culminates to produce a unique, unpretentious, easy-going, rock and roll atmosphere. Having taken place every Friday since November 1995, its 10 year existence goes to show that the premise of the night, like its music, has universal and timeless appeal.
Along the way Damon Gough (Badly Drawn Boy), John Peel (Legend), Mani (Stones Roses/Primal Scream), The Doves and Liam Gallagher have played records, or in Liams case mimed to The Beatles, adding extra flavour to the big melting pot that is The Rock + Roll Bar today.
Saturday night's entertainment has ranged from Stereo with Mike Chadwick, to Elliot Eastwick's Rinky Dink and Big Night In. Anyone remember Rinky Dink's chaotic visit to a Roller disco in Bramhall…….. Its preserved in local legend! For the last 4 years, Saturday has been home to Clint Boon’s Disco Rescue. The night has established itself as a Mancunion musical classic. There is no crowd like a Disco Rescue crowd, and there is no queue like a Disco Rescue queue either!
South would like to thank all who have contributed to its mighty 10 years including all Managers, Staff, DJ’s, Doormen and last but by no means least our customers and loyal regulars, without whom South would not be South. All have contributed to making this vision a reality: a small, beautiful and friendly club.
Happy Birthday South,
(Happy Birthday Rock + Roll Bar too, Ten Years Great).
South's Tenth Birthday weekend will take place on Friday the 25th and Saturday the 26th of November. Doors will open at 10pm.
Admission is based on a pay on the door policy at the following prices:
Friday 25/11/2005: £8.50 Saturday 26/11/2005: £10.00
For further information please call South on 0161 831 7756, or email the club at info@south-club.co.uk.
*DJ's Phil Beckett, Jeff Thomas, Nev Cottie and Clint Boon appear on both the 25/11/1005 and 26/11/1005 as does Rowetta. Other DJ's appear on the specific dates stated.
