The party of all parties comes to Nottingham, with support from a legendary, local, much-loved music brand.
A landmark in the history of dance music, Manchester’s FAC 51 The Haçienda is arguably one of the most iconic nightclubs of all time. Founded in 1982, it put Manchester – and the UK – firmly on the music map. A boundary-breaking epicentre of dance music, the club signified a revolution in popular culture, represented in films such as 24 Hours Party People. Despite permanently closing its doors in 1997, people still talk about the club today - even those too young to have frequented the original venue. The legacy of the Haçienda and its parties lives on in regular events across the UK.
This August, the spirit of The Haçienda descends on Nottingham for the first time, with a much-anticipated open-air day to night party in the dramatic grounds of Wollaton Hall. Featuring an impressive line-up of original Haçienda artists on the main stage, the event presents world-famous DJs from the Haçienda era, Roger Sanchez, Danny Tenaglia and Graeme Park (catch our interview with him here!), as well as Smokin Jo, the only female DJ to have been named the world’s #1 DJ by DJ Mag, and much-acclaimed Nottingham DJ Antonio Vendone. The main stage will also feature live sets from Soul II Soul, Ultra Naté, 808 State, CeCe Rogers and Rowetta.
Haçienda Live is supported by an equally respected Nottingham brand, Pop-Up Party with a second arena, showcasing local and emerging talent.
LeftLion caught up with brothers Adam and Robin Perkins, founders and owners of Bohemian Events, the name behind Pop-Up Party, on their plans for Haçienda Live on 31 August 2024 – as well as Boho Fest, a boutique Nottinghamshire festival they’re running at the end of this month.
The brothers are taking on a new, exciting challenge with a second stage at Haçienda Live – as well as organising the official Hacienda afterparty at Nottingham institution NG-ONE, featuring some of the UK’s most sought-after house music DJs – with two very exciting headliners yet to be announced.
Bohemian Events have a long heritage of creating successful music events. Enthusiasts of Nottingham’s soundsystem culture, they used this education in deep house to branch out into their own styles and tastes, going on to host events across the UK, in Ibiza and beyond.
“The new wave of music also resonated through venues such as Venus in Nottingham, Renaissance in Mansfield and Back2Basics in Leeds. It all inspired me to co-promote a night at the Paradise Factory in Manchester in 1994, with Jeremy Healy and Ian Ossia on the line-up,” said Adam, who went to uni in Manchester in 1992, and partied at the Haçienda many times. “The Haçienda was somewhere that people could come to meet, dance and feel free – without some of the limitations and attitudes held by some of the era’s more traditional nightlife venues. We’re very excited to be helping to bring these ideas to Nottingham – it’s something we’ve always done with our events – and now we’re taking it to an exciting, grander scale.”
Adam’s brother Robin grew up immersed in the Midlands’ club culture. “I started clubbing at Venus and Koolkat, and bars such as Pappa Bins and Bellamy’s, then raving at huge outdoor raves like World Party and Energy,” he said. “We both remember being at the Marcus Garvey Centre, The Bomb, Venue44, and absolutely loving the free parties organised by DiY. We’ve been brought up on proper dance music – and we’ve always aimed to keep this authentic theme alive in the events we create.”
Dance fans may remember Pop-Up Party’s Balearic terrace events at Riverbank on Trent Embankment. Beginning in the mid-2000s, the parties brought some of the world’s most significant DJs to Nottingham, including Kenny Dope, Dimitri from Paris and Roger Sanchez. The venue featured an indoor area as well as the very popular terrace, which infused Trent Embankment with an undeniably Ibiza-esque vibe.
Over at the under-cover Pop-Up Party stage, the line-up for 31 August features Dean Montano, producer and DJ duo Neon Hustler, Ian Perry, a live set from Atari Safari featuring Yonah, Matt Barker of Love to Be, closing with a set from the well-known Nottingham DJ Iain Newton. Pop-Up Party will also host the official Haçienda afterparty at Hockley’s NG-ONE, with an exciting headliner to be announced very soon.
LeftLion HQ spoke to Damian Wells and Stevie Gell make up Neon Hustler, one of the acts you can catch. The DJ/production duo are from Nottingham, and have made a name for themselves on the international circuit, with scores of releases and well-received sets.
When the Perkins brothers’ now-iconic Pop-Up Party brand first launched at the Riverbank pub, Damian was an OG resident. “The parties were amazing right from the beginning,” he remembers. “It was such an honour to play alongside the amazing array of headliners the event brought to Nottingham – Sandy Riviera, Dimitri from Paris, and so many others.”
Stevie describes himself as “one of the OG partygoers,” at Pop-Up. “I was DJing and producing at the time, and kept messaging Damian on Twitter asking to collaborate with him – but he blanked me at first!,” he says. Eventually the two got together, forming Neon Hustler in 2020. They describe their sound as house with funkier, soulful sounds, which fits the Pop-Up ethos well. “Pop-Up Party is all about celebrating great music – it’s the perfect match with the Haçienda brand, as both have their own heritage and are founded in a passion for great music,” says Damian.
“There’s no introduction needed for Haçienda,” agrees Stevie. “Everyone has their own memories of this very special club – even those who never went. We’re so honoured to be asked to play at the first ever Haçienda event in Nottingham. It’s gonna be one not to miss.”
Don’t miss out on this unique event, bringing a unique blend of music, culture, history and hedonism to one of Nottingham’s most breathtaking locations. With an exclusive VIP area, featuring priority access and first-class amenities, Hacienda Live will provide mind-blowing visuals, inspiring stage designs and sound quality that’s second-to-none.
The Haçienda Live’s event information and tickets can be accessed here: Haçienda Live, Wollaton Park, 31 August 2024, 2pm-10pm
Details for the after party can be accessed here:Official Haçienda Afterparty: NG-ONE, 10.30pm – 4am
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