Skip to main content
NEWS EVENT SPECIAL SERIES
Floor Essence 〜dance・club・party〜

Madchester Revisited: Exploring the Phenomenon that Enveloped the United Kingdom

2024.1.18

#MUSIC

Everyone, thank you for your support again this year! I’m looking forward to the parties and the tunes that will light up the dance floor in 2024.

Last year, the release of Romy’s album “Mid Air” prompted me to rediscover trance from around 1997 to 1999, crystallizing the concept of dance-pop in my mind. The house and trance music from the late 1990s to the early 2000s resonated freshly once again, allowing me to continue enjoying music without getting bored during the year-end and New Year holidays. Kylie Minogue’s latest album “Tension,” right in the heart of dance-pop, is currently in heavy rotation, reinforcing my belief that what we need now is a good party, both in my imagination and as a reality. This year, I plan to throw a party with a theme that I’m currently contemplating.

Now, let’s delve into the Madchester Movement that dominated late 1980s Britain, which serves as the roots for me. Actually, on the 20th of this month, I’m hosting an event called “MADCHESTER NIGHT” at the SPREAD club in Shimokitazawa. If anyone reading this is intrigued, I’d love for you to come and join the fun.

Manchester as a Hub for Energetic and Extravagant Parties

“Madchester” refers to a movement that took place in the late 1980s, characterized by a boom in indie rock incorporating dance beats, primarily led by bands from Manchester such as The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, The Charlatans, and Inspiral Carpets. This term is famously associated with the title of the EP “MADCHESTER RAVE ON” by Happy Mondays.

This term was initially coined by Tony Wilson, the owner of Happy Mondays’ record label, and was popularized by the British media. At that time, indie bands incorporating dance beats were referred to as “indie dance,” and tracks like Primal Scream’s “Loaded” and My Bloody Valentine’s “Soon” were major hits. While the momentum of Manchester bands, including The Stone Roses, was undoubtedly significant, the reality was that Manchester was hosting the wildest parties, making it the true epicenter of the madness.

At the heart of it all was a club called The Haçienda, managed by Factory Records. The Haçienda, meaning “Home” in Spanish, lived up to its name by becoming the home for party enthusiasts across Europe. Personally, I’ve had the chance to hear from the likes of Bez from Happy Mondays and Mani from The Stone Roses about how fervent and mad the atmosphere was during that time. However, the events and occurrences are far too intense to be written about here. It’s truly miraculous that they didn’t meet untimely ends during that era, without any exaggeration.

Back to series

RECOMMEND

NiEW’S PLAYLIST

NiEW recommends alternative music🆕

NiEW Best Music is a playlist featuring artists leading the music scene and offering alternative styles in our rapidly evolving society. Hailing from Tokyo, the NiEW editorial team proudly curates outstanding music that transcends size, genre, and nationality.

EVENTS