Manchester Music Landmark Disappears

Mosaics by Mark Kennedy that have adorned the side of Afflecks Palace (a famous indoor market in Manchester) have been taken down. One of the mosaics (see photo on the left, taken by me in 2002) features Manchester music legends Morrissey, Ian Curtis, Bernard Sumner, Bez, Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, and Tony Wilson, among others. The building has been sold and the mosaics belong to the former owner. I hope they find another home!

FAC51 Coming to the States

The Hacienda, the legendary club that the lads from New Order built (and the namesake of this very blog), is coming to the US. Well, kinda.

Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the club, The Hacienda World Tour features a revolving line-up of DJs and, one assumes, the spirit of the original club (since they're obviously not "building" the club in every city of the tour).

The US date of the tour is March 25th as part of the Winter Music Conference in Miami. Peter Hook, Three, Bobby Langley, Nick Warren, and "special guests" are slated to spin. I think I'd rather hit up the date in Manchester, where the line-up is 808 State, Shaun Ryder, Mike Pickering, Graeme Park, Peter Hook, and A Guy Called Gerald.

Either way, some surplus cash would be really nice right about now.

Here's some classic 808 State for ya.