Sankeys presents Hacienda review

Image: Sankeys

The Hacienda Classical nights are proof that ravers across the UK are still in love with the Manchester clubbing institution. People up and down the country are all keen to see pioneering luminary who had a prominent place on the decks of the party institution first hand, so it was only a matter of time before it returned to its spiritual home for another offering.

The night served as the leading after party for the current Stone Roses comeback shows and saw a massive selection of fans old and new come through the doors and lose their inhibitions to the sounds of renowned house icon Todd Terry, Chicago house don Marshall Jefferson and a handful of some of The Hacienda's most dominant residents - Graeme Park, Mike Pickering and Jon DaSilva.

Warming up the main room was Manchester's Herbie Saccani, who mixed a selection of the deepest and freshest house cuts that built up the vibes in the luminous basement for the eager and 'mad for it' revellers.

When it struck 12, we made our way up to the fluorescent surroundings of the Spektrum room and witnessed the stylings of house maverick Marshall Jefferson. The whiz's set included some absolute solid old skool gems, in the form of Derrick May's staple 'Strings of Life' and Alison Limerick's hug-a-stranger feel good jam 'Where Love Lives'.

Afterwards we headed back down to the basement and caught the dynamic force of acid house aficionado's Graeme Park and Mike Pickering. The veteran selectors delivered a more upbeat and energetic mix, dropping copious amounts of definitive beats, relatively new techno bangers and one or two cheeky disco edits.

The vibrant performance saw the duo play a string of intense beats that ranged from the likes of CLS's 'Can You feel It' and A Guy Called Gerald's Madchester anthem 'Voodoo Ray', all the way up to current club faves like Green Velvet and Patrick Topping's pulsating 'Voicemail'.

Hacienda illuminate Jon DaSilva was next to take on Spektrum, who like Jefferson's set from before showed a medley of definitive rhythms from the golden age of acid, this in the shape of Maurice's blistering 'This Is Acid'. It was amazing as always to see tracks from this era so well-received by younger ravers.

Finishing off the nights activities back in the now already heaving Basement was House virtuoso Todd Terry who kicked off his thumping set list with the fierce Rhythm Masters remix of his own production 'Keep On Jumping' and carried on knocking it out the park with a heavy mixture of ferocious beats and included a tasty selection of mash ups to cater for the thriving and beat hungry crowd.

More highlights from the maestro's set came in the form of Inner City's joyous 'Big Fun' and Crystal Waters upbeat 'Gypsy Woman' but we were then given mixed messages on the dance floor as we were presented with a host of commercial sounding cuts and a final tune in the shape of Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. It felt like a confusing end compared to the vibrant tracks we had previously enjoyed letting our hair down to.

Although most seemed happy with a mixture of old tunes and new, for the more dedicated ravers who were seeking for more of a throwback to the hedonistic days, this may have fell a tad short. But with more Hacienda nights on the horizon, dedicated ravers are guaranteed to get their fix with ease.

Get tickets for Hacienda at Albert Hall Manchester

Get tickets for Hacienda Classical at Made Birmingham or M25 Festival