Bumped into Bernard, literally, on the dance floor at the Hacienda in '97 just a few months before it closed. Just thought I'd share that with you.
The Cheetham Hillbillies and the Gooch Close Gang from Moss Side were bang at it back then, no pun intended. Shootings were a regular occurrence apparently. I didn't see any trouble on the one occasion I went to The Hacienda but was in Dry Bar once when a load of Cheetham Hill came in with trench coats on( it was summer), had a look around and ****ed off without buying a drink. The lass I was with was a Manc and recognised them. They obviously clocked me and realised a proper gangster was in the house, hence why they did one sharpish.
I went to the Haçienda a few times after moving to Manchester for Uni in '95. Had heard all the hype through my teenage years about it and couldn't wait to go. But what utter ****e it was every time. Felt like every 5 minutes you were gonna be knifed, shot or at the very least twatted for no good reason. And the bog floors were always about 3 inches deep in piss too. I got mugged for a fiver leaving it once too, though I can barely remember what actually happened.
When I went it had turned full circle, everyone knew it was closing imminently and the party vibe had returned. I had a great night, Sasha and Laurent Garnier were playing if memory serves me right. It all got a bit messy and I ended up in a flat in Salford which was full of Scally's after the club closed. The bird I was with wasn't overly impressed.
I went about then, overrated like you say. Not sure why anybody would want to see the 2016 version of New Order, remember bands like that when they were good, and they haven't been good for a very long time
Some people aren't bothered but all I would see is a load of near pensioners re-living their youth, not as bad as something like the Rollling Stones the other year though granted. I saw Kraftwerk the other year at the Tate Modern so willing to give the older generation a go but it was tastefully done so you weren't looking at a load of grey balding older guys rocking out
In your opinion. The new album is actually excellent. And the only regret I had about seeing them over this year was they didn't play Regret. But then The Monkees new album is also excellent. And Heaven 17 are still v good live.
I went to the Hacienda just after it opened in the early 80's and it was brilliant. I was in Manchester for a weekend recording session at Cargo Studios in Rochdale, we thought we were already pop stars. Missed my calling.
The last album is indeed excellent and one of the best they've made (plus I did see them this year in Manchester and they did play Regret!). Sounded like a band in their prime, and definitely not a band milking it for one last pay day. One of the best gigs of the year so far...
Struggling to get my head round how anyone can still rate NO. Hook gone, session players in, Dad dancer Bernard on forgettable vocals. A great back catalogue but not had a decent album out since mid 80s (Brotherhood/Low Life?)
