Back in Manchester for the first May Bank Holiday weekend in 2009, FAC 51 The Haçienda’s home-coming at Sankey’s on Sunday May 3rd sees the Mancunian clubbing institution celebrate it’s 27th birthday with an extra sensational party and line up that brings FAC 51 home to its nearest and dearest, commemorating the more than a quarter century of Manc culture that has elapsed since 1982.
Drawing on old and new friends alike, the line up for the Birthday bash has top drawer, world class DJ talents, Emerson, Robertson and Dasilva back to back on Sankey’s intimate downstairs dancefloor, whilst upstairs, the old FAC 51 fave, the indie disko of the regular Thursday night “The Temperance Club” is revived by original resident, Dave Haslam, with New Order’s Peter Hook and The Whip guesting on the decks.
Headlining and playing for the first time with FAC 51 The Haçienda, Darren Emerson makes a rare Manchester appearance. An ex member of electronic giants Underworld, Darren has remained one of the most cutting edge DJ’s and producers since leaving the band, as his work with Sasha on “Scorchio”, his own label Underwater and his recent, Detroit inspired dancefloor destroying single, “Crashjack” have shown all comers. His recent Global Underground “Bogota” album served to underline and solidfy his critic and crowd pleasing reputation.
Back together on the same bill, two friends of Manchester, Eastern Bloc Records and FAC 51 alike, Justin Robertson and Jon Dasilva take care of other downstairs duties, in their own inimitably acid house Balearic stand up style. Both Justin and Jon’s sets combine their comprehensive understanding of two decades of Manchester floorfillers with their modern and classic musical tastes, strictly for lovers of a wide open game.
Upstairs at the club, the Haç’s infamous Thursday night from the late Eighties and early Nineties “The Temperance Club” is revived for the evening only. With original resident Dave Haslam, the nights swaggering, baggy sense of Madchester made it the indie counterpart to Nude and The Haçienda’s Saturday. Local uber band The Whip make their Haçienda debut here with a DJ set whilst New Order’s Peter Hook, rounds off the bill, taking a break from his recording duties with the fast upcoming “Freebass”.
DJ support in the bar comes from the young, Mancunian DJ firm of Umbrella, a catch all outfit dedicated to promoting local talent. The DJ spin off night from Manchester clubs and community website, www.headpecked.co.uk, Umbrella sees a young team of DJ’s given their breaks at Manchester’s biggest clubs.
Sunday May 3rd – 8.30pm to 4.30am Sankey’s. Beehive Mill, Jersey St, Manchester, M4 6JG Tickets : £15 – Venue Tel : 0161 236 5444 Tickets available via www.ticketline.co.uk (0161 832 1111) & www.skiddle.com www.myspace.com/fac51theHaçienda
