Haçienda, the iconic music brand that has captivated audiences for over three decades, made history once again amid the beauty and heritage of Nottingham's Wollaton Hall. Headlined by Soul II Soul with DJs galore, and other big name acts including 808 State and Ultra Naté, the event proved to be an eye-opener...
The Haçienda, best associated with acid house and rave music, has been a hardened timestamp in our history of cultivating music. FAC 51 The Haçienda remains the club that started it all: defining the scene and placing dance music firmly on the map in the UK. Before too long, the infamous nightclub soon fostered the Manchester rave scene in the late 1980s. Now, with the same unbridled fanatic support, Haçienda brought its blend to the grounds of Wollaton Hall in a magical day of legendary acts and long-time staples to the scene.
It goes without saying - but this line-up was not to be trifled with. If it's not a scene you're not particularly accustomed to, it's safe to assume that you will know at least one or two songs - they're classics destined for the dancefloor for all of time.
The day kicked off with prolific DJs Antonio Vendone, Smokin Jo and Graeme Park - who is very much a local legend in his own right, as he began his career spinning records of the very city of Nottingham. Joining them was DJ Danny Tenaglia who has been associated with nearly the entire spectrum of house music, was a welcomed name to this esteemed line-up, bringing his classics, dark acid drops See You Next Tuesday and Music is the Answer to the embracing crowds of yesteryear.
Another name to grace the stage was one Roger Sanchez, his high-octane house and dancefloor hits lighting up the fields like a decadent Christmas tree, as he bowed out the night in emphatic style - sparks and all.
The second stage also featured a range of talented artists and DJ-up-and-comers bringing their pulsating melodies ensuring that Haçienda very much stays alive.
From a live perspective, the line-up was equally stacked as were spoilt for talent and choice. Some of the most in-demand house music vocalists were ever-present as Rowetta and CeCe Rodgers; a pure soul and an undoubtedly the voice of house.
808 State engineered their smarmy electronic sounds, and their household-name track Pacific State was a perfect soundscape as the evening sun began to set over the idyllic Elizabethan mansion.
Ultra Naté, meanwhile, delivered her signature soul baring her powerhouse Free.
Despite the darting back and forth between DJs and live performers, it was iconic British 9-piece collective of Soul II Soul who headlined the event, as they brought their funky ideals of London sound system culture to the East Midlands. Backbeat hip-hop ladled with house and a double dosing of funk R&B, the collective have pretty much dominated all fronts in groove since their drop of album Keep On Movin' in 1989. Equipped with synths, violins and those all-important low tones of the bass, they blasted through a good serving of their best, including Ghetto Heaven, Keep On Moving / I Care and finishing off with the esteemed Back2Life.
If you missed them, you're in luck because they just so happen to be our way once more, as they support UB40 on tour in November at Motorpoint Arena.
As Nottingham was transported back to a golden era of dance majesty, no expense was spared in true Haçienda fashion - a whirligig of lights, fog machines, spark machines and confetti cannons bedazzled the audience in colourful glitz and glamour.
A spellbinding night for fans new and old to the game, Wollaton Hall played host to a show we most certainly will not forget.
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
