Promoter Focus: Funkademia

It all started back in 1995. In the midst of a national Britpop obsession, a rife house music scene and 'Madchester' at the height of its powers, promoter Dave Payne set up stall on a cold Sunday night in Manchester’s Boardwalk Club with a night that went for something entirely different. Taking something of a risk, Dave brought his passion for all things soul, funk and disco and unleashed it on an unwitting Manchester scene, still in the grips of Hacienda fever. The gamble paid off, with the first night going down a treat, and the following night inducing queues that tailed round the block.

Funkademia's Northern Funk Mix

18 years later, and Funkademia is now officially Manchester’s longest running night, still drawing in huge crowds as the cities hunger for disco, soul and funk remains evergreen. Having held residencies at varying clubs in its past, including Attic, Subspace, Zumeba and One Central, Funkademia set about attaining legendary status in Manchester’s closely fought battle for night life supremacy. Now firmly placed at Mint Lounge, Funkademia have announced that anyone with a membership or ticket stub from the original shows at Boardwalk can enjoy their birthday shenanigans for free, gratis, nowt. Not bad eh?

Exclusive footage from the very first edition of Funkademia has been readied for viewing at their birthday, which will also feature headlining sets from Funkademia mainstays Dave Payne (AKA DJ Payney), David Dunne (Listen to the man himself on our latest Skiddle Podcast here) and the Good For The Soul Boys, all set to play some of their favourite tracks from the past 18 years.

This is going to be one unmissable birthday bash, celebrating the coming of age of one of Manchester’s most iconic nights.

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