Mcrscenestories

Mcrscenestories Documenting Manchester’s nightlife music and history through the people who lived it

05/09/2026

My first ever Manchester Scene Stories live interview in front of an audience.

Recorded at the Rainy Heart Project last year, I sat down with Graham Massey to look back at the early years of 808 State and the Manchester scene that surrounded them.

From Eastern Bloc Records and the beginnings of acid house to A Guy Called Gerald, Martin Price, MC Tunes and Denise Johnson, Graham shares stories from a period when new ideas were moving quickly across Manchester.

We also talk about Newbuild, Pacific State, the KLF, Björk and much more.

Looking back, this one means a lot to me — it was the first time I’d attempted Manchester Scene Stories as a live interview.

Here’s the full conversation.

Deee-Lite at The Haçienda, Manchester — 11 August 1990.Deee-Lite performed live at midnight at FAC 51 The Haçienda, just...
04/09/2026

Deee-Lite at The Haçienda, Manchester — 11 August 1990.

Deee-Lite performed live at midnight at FAC 51 The Haçienda, just as Groove Is in the Heart was about to take off in the UK.

The single entered the UK chart the following day and went on to reach No. 2.

Lady Miss Kier has described the Haçienda appearance as Deee-Lite’s first show abroad — putting them in Manchester at a key moment in their story.

This flyer was sent to me by Carlotta Allum when we recorded her Manchester Scene Stories interview last year. I came across it again today and thought it was worth sharing.

#1990

I couldn’t wait until Friday to share this one.Helea of Seirén joins me on Manchester Scene Stories to talk about her jo...
03/09/2026

I couldn’t wait until Friday to share this one.

Helea of Seirén joins me on Manchester Scene Stories to talk about her journey between Manchester and Mexico City, performing music at healing ceremonies in Mexico, psychedelic experiences, ancestry, and the inspiration behind Seirén’s music.

Before we spoke, Helea sent me one of Seirén’s music videos — and it is genuinely one of the best music videos I’ve ever seen.

In the interview, she tells me the remarkable story behind it: an intense psychedelic mushroom experience that she somehow managed to translate into music and film.

I loved the video so much that I’ve included it in full at the end of our conversation.

I’m really excited to share this one. It feels like one of those occasions where I’ve discovered something I really want other people to see.

The new Manchester Scene Stories interview with Helea of Seirén is on YouTube now.

Paul Cons at The Haçienda, Manchester.This portrait was taken by photographer Peter J Walsh in the basement of The Haçie...
03/09/2026

Paul Cons at The Haçienda, Manchester.

This portrait was taken by photographer Peter J Walsh in the basement of The Haçienda, on the weekend the club closed for the first time amid the violence surrounding Manchester’s drug gangs.

Peter had set up a temporary studio in the basement and photographed Paul there.

The image forms part of the British Culture Archive Original Ravers collection, although this particular portrait wasn’t included in the book. Instead, a photograph of Paul with Tony Wilson at The Haçienda closure press conference appeared in the introduction.

Next Wednesday on Manchester Scene Stories, I’ll be releasing my full conversation with Paul Cons — from The Haçienda and Flesh to Manchester club culture, New York and much more.

📺 Paul Cons — Manchester Scene Stories
Next Wednesday on YouTube

Photo: Peter J Walsh

🎥 NOW AVAILABLE — COZMO D OF NEWCLEUSCozmo D joins Manchester Scene Stories to tell the story of Newcleus, Jam-On Produc...
02/09/2026

🎥 NOW AVAILABLE — COZMO D OF NEWCLEUS

Cozmo D joins Manchester Scene Stories to tell the story of Newcleus, Jam-On Productions and the Brooklyn street culture that helped shape their sound.

From DJing at house parties, block parties and parks in 1970s Brooklyn to creating two of electro’s defining records — Jam-On’s Revenge and Jam On It — Cozmo takes us right back to where it started.

We talk about Brooklyn’s own approach to early hip hop, building sound systems, experimenting with synthesizers and drum machines, the formation of Newcleus, and the unexpected studio accident that changed the sound of Jam-On’s Revenge.

Cozmo also looks back at Computer Age, Space Is the Place, Newcleus’ international influence and why he believes the history of hip hop is much broader than the story that is often told.

The video is now available on Manchester Scene Stories YouTube.

Me in 1989 with mate Chris who was a big influence on me.I swear that shirt at the time was cool, although I definitely ...
01/09/2026

Me in 1989 with mate Chris who was a big influence on me.
I swear that shirt at the time was cool, although I definitely wouldn’t wear it now ha ha 😀

#1989

31/08/2026

Paul Cons remembers his first trip to New York in 1986 — and a night at the legendary Paradise Garage.

After meeting some English DJs, Paul and his friend Danny were introduced to a club they’d never experienced before: Paradise Garage.

Paul recalls taking ecstasy for the first time that night and walking into an intense mixture of music, creativity and gay club culture — with Larry Levan behind the decks.

It became an experience that changed the way he thought about clubbing and dance music.

My full interview with Paul Cons comes to the Manchester Scene Stories YouTube channel on Wednesday 9 September.

31/08/2026

Paul Cons remembers his first trip to New York in 1986 — and a night at the legendary Paradise Garage.

After meeting some English DJs, Paul and his friend Danny were introduced to a club they'd never experienced before: Paradise Garage.

Paul recalls taking ecstasy for the first time that night and walking into an intense mixture of music, creativity and gay club culture — with Larry Levan behind the decks.

It became an experience that changed the way he thought about clubbing and dance music.

My full interview with Paul Cons comes to the Manchester Scene Stories YouTube channel on Wednesday 9 September.

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