A decent 4 hour drive on a Sunday from Swansea, no stopping. The hotel we stayed at was the YOTEL – Deansgate Formerly Qbic. It was great – ticked all the boxes.
First up we went to the ‘Use Hearing Protection – The early years of Factory Records’ exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum. It includes the first 50 artefacts from the official Factory catalogue and the exhibition explains how the label played an influential part in the city’s transformation from an ‘industrial powerhouse to a beacon of art and culture.’ Here is a photo of the founders, Peter Saville, Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus.
Factory worked with local businesses like printers, engravers, paper manufacturers , and equipment hire companies. A graphic design industry emerged and so too did independent record labels. There is information on the Situationist International, which was a radical political and philisophical movement which urged youth rebellion against the commercialisation of modern society – mainly via students and Punk.
Here’s the timeline:
The Hacienda was built and I danced there!
There is a also a great section showing what life was like growing up in Manchester at that time:
Food for thought.
Quick change back at the hotel and a lovely tapas at El Gato Negro and then it was Tricky at the O2 Ritz – originally a ballroom built in the 1920’s.
Fall to Pieces is his new album and features Marta Zlakowska’s on vocals. I was blown away I must admit. Definately want to go and see him again. Here is a short video and a pic:
I asked for a set list and was given this:
My mate Liz collects posters and I’m sure this will be up on her wall.
24 hours in Manchester was great!!