Factory - Opening

I've been asked to write a blog for the new Factory club in Manchester....

FAC251: The Factory

Where to start and what are we dealing with here?

Well it's a pretty big deal so here goes.

What we are looking at / waiting for is the total re-evaluation and rejuvenation of one of Manchester's most important and culturally significant buildings. What makes this 'project' so special is that some how it has been undertaken and executed first and foremost with love, passion and respect for the original Factory HQ, its place in the Factory story and it's relevance to the city as a whole. That in itself is remarkable in a day and age where usually the best you can hope for a once loved landmark or lesser known but hugely significant building, is either for it to be turned into luxury flats (or car park) or if lucky have a small plaque attached to its rotting exterior.

This project was not taken on as a money making exercise - again this in itself is GENIUS since we all know what happened to the Hacienda simply because the people that ran it didn't run it as a proper business. How exciting is that? Wow ? Who in their right mind you say would start up another night club in exactly the same manner and spirit as the Hacienda (knowing now all we do from books and films about that clubs obvious and destined downfall) in the current cultural and economic climate. Well these people have, and HOW FACTORY IS THAT? Its this fact more than any other (more facts later) that has got me worked up about the whole project.

A joint venture between Hooky and Factory super fan Aaron Mellor, the first thing that comes to mind after reading Hooky's recent book about the Hac is - I cant believe after all that heartache, upset and madness the guy is going back for more. Ding Ding round two indeed, well actually more like a Nam war veteran heading back to colonel Kurtz territory, another hellish tour of duty. Is the man insane?

However this time there's one crucial difference - the people behind this project know what they are doing, and wait before you jump to the conclusion that standing behind Hooky in this operation is just a bunch of corporate parasites jumping on the corpse of Factory for all it's worth. There's no reason why you should believe me other than I'm telling the truth, but I've known Aaron Mellor for over 15 years and if there's one thing I know it's that his success was born from the embers of Factory records. His premier influence and inspiration, 'the Factory spirit' has been with him in everything he has ever done (will not go into it here but it's quite some CV), he is also a true music fan and Factory records obsessive which has gotta help give the project some soul. Let us not forget also all the lessons Hooky must have learned from the Hac mistakes, this time he's probably more than ready to set those infamous wrongs to rights.

Factory location, Factory Spirit, and an original Factory legend, can this be happening? It is.

At this point its important to stress that although all these things give serious weight, context and credibility to the project -

THIS IS NO FACTORY COME DISNEY LAND JOURNEY TO THE PAST THROUGH THE RELICS AND RUINS OF MADCHESTER.

NOT AN EXCURSION IN POINTLESS NOSTALGIA, NO PLASTIC CAVERN CLUB.

NO! ANY NOSTALGIA HERE WILL ONLY SERVE TO SHOW WHAT WAS ONCE ACHIEVED AND WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED AGAIN, THOUGH OF COURSE NEVER THROUGH SLAVISHLY RESURRECTED RETRO RETREADS, THE FACTORY SPIRIT DEMANDS NEW NEW NEW.

Everybody involved along each step of the project has been eager to stress that although one foot in the past as historical context (and respect for Tony Wilson and his achievements) is certainly a worthwhile angle, the real interest and excitement here is following the other foot, the foot that will be striding into the future. Pushing new ideas, new angles, new sounds, exactly the kind of spring board Manchester needs at the moment. This (even more so than all the reminiscing, history books and hype about original Factory bricks and mortar) is the stuff that will truly pay respect to the energy and changing winds of Antony H Wilson.

So then, this venue/space (FAC251 - The Factory) is absolutely in no way shape or form 'Hacienda 2', which would be a cheap shot, a terribly tacky retrogressive step. The fact that FAC251 has been conceived of as a live venue with much emphasis on nurturing and supporting bands, places the project in a more rock and roll context - a million light years away from the DJ-centric super club that the Hacienda became. Even in the early days of the Hac when it was as much a live venue and saw a wealth of now legendary bands come through it's doors, it was never regarded as much of a 'live' venue in terms of live sound.

FAC251 however seems hell bent on getting the live side nailed good and proper right from the off, that's not to say there's not as much consideration being given to the clubbing side of things (Funktion One have this in hand), but rest assured this is a very different beast to the Hac, and as I've already said anyone looking for a cheap theme park thrill or a trip down memory lane will be sorely disappointed.

So what else are we looking at.

Ben Kelly

The project is somewhat authenticated by the huge involvement of original Factory HQ and Hacienda designer Ben Kelly. Again though not interested in going back to the 80's. Now as ever it's all about the new new new.

Remember this is a man who has his place in history for pushing things forward, indeed helping / inspiring others to push the envelope of modern culture. Designing that infamous Molotov cocktail of a shop 'Sex' for Malcolm McClaren and Vivian Westwood in the 1970's (the germ from which Punk was bred/spread) something not lost on Tony Wilson who commissioned Peter Saville who in turn roped in Ben Kelly to design his dream space - Manchester's very own New York disco, The Hacienda.

How apt that Ben Kelly designed the walls which gave birth to punk and the Sex Pistols as well as the walls which gave birth to Madchester and Northern acid house euphoria. Since the Pistols maybe the most important ingredient of this whole story. No Pistols, no Pistols gigs at the Free Trade Hall and the Electric Circus, and that would have meant no Joy Division, no Buzzcocks, no Fall, no Smiths, no Factory records blah blah blah. For a fascinating account of the cultural importance of the Pistols on Manchester read Paul Morley's Chapter in Kevin Cummins recent and stunning book 'Looking for the Light through the Pouring Rain'. Kevin Cummins by the way has been documenting the coming together of the new FAC251 space, capturing the rebuild and reopen process with his usual evocative flair for Northern romance. You heard it here - yet another validation of the concepts credibility, Kevin Cummins as official photographer for stage one of the project.

And now the story comes full circle as Ben kelly once again leaves his inspirational mark on Manchester. The fact that his original Factory HQ has now been saved form certain death and is being re built for further exciting assignments is something the city should shout about from surrounding roof tops.

The Factory must be... re-built.

The Factory HAS been re-built

Tony Andrews

Also another crucial factor is that Soundsystem guru Tony Andrews of Funktion One has become personally involved with the project.

Aaron Mellor himself enthuses about Tonys input

"this isnt just a couple of cool speaker boxes - its a purpose designed scheme & personal comissioned sound system from Tony Andrews - the guy who built the very first pyramid stage at glastonbury, went on to invent Turbosound sold the company, then came up with the mighty Funktion One - unquestionable as the coolest club soundsystem in the World! Were overjoyed that now he has personally designed this mindblowing and unique system for FACTORY, in a word epic..."

Wow this should keep the tech and spec heads happy. Proof again that every care is being taken here to ensure that all elements of the project are of outstanding quality and delivery, as Factory product always was - think all those fine packaging schemes that cost a fortune!.

So after being blown away by the possibility of such a dream ever coming to life, I am only too happy to contribute my ramblings on the new club and it's roots.

Join me if you can and see you on the opening night.

We can Do the Du.

Kristian JB.