Area51, Manchester
Marc Vedo’s h
AAA
omecoming
ACCESS
ALL
AREAS
THE ROGUE ELEMENT
BEN
Iain Taylor
The tide is turning
THY
AR
Can Area 51 bring some genuine credibility to
SONNY MCC
Manchester’s tacky Deansgate area?
pics:
couple of hundred yards from hypnotic selection of deep house. But as we saddle up at the bar, Taylor “You should never, ever underestimate
A
w
here Manchester’s fabled Drafted in by owner Tony Ratcliffe to explains some of the obstacles that word of mouth,” rounds Taylor.
Haçienda once stood, we oversee the venue’s programming, they battle — the obvious one being And in Area 51’s unlikely runaway
arrive at the city’s newest Manchester scene stalwart Taylor the problematic location. Aside from success, it’s clear that the word is
nocturnal habitat — Area 51. certainly has a CV fi t for the venue’s the fact that Area 51 remains an spreading. DANNY MCFADDEN
Just over a year ago, the venue was known ambitious credibility overhaul. Taylor’s underground oasis in a swamp of
as Emporia and sat comfortably in the own Rejekt Music label has been courting faux-chic bars that blare out cheesy
tacky stretch of the city known as support from DJ Hell, John Digweed and mainstreams sounds, its door lies
Deansgate that it calls home. With a Layo & Bushwacka! to name just a few. adjacent to a ‘gentleman’s club’ called
crowd deep-fried in fake tan, the venue And his pedigree has certainly leant Area Obsessions. If it wasn’t for the strict
had all the credibility of any shitty Ritzy. 51 a newly galvanised credibility. door vetting, the walk-in at Area 51
HIGH
But steadily the unthinkable has would be the sort you’d fi nd in a sticky
5
happened. Month by month, booking by Just take tonight’s party, Kaluki. The carpeted Ritzy. Five 2009 bookings
booking, Area 51 has introduced the sort monthly techno session is tonight “We make sure we speak to people as that have turned Area 51 around…
of names that would normally furnish the offering the generous double serving of they come in,” explains Taylor on the
fl iers of Fabric or DC10 to a region more Get Physical’s Thomas Schumacher and need to keep things music focused on
•
DAN GHENACIA, JANUARY
renowned for Topshop electro and DC10’s Romanian weapon Rhadoo. all levels. “We’re not saying that Ghenacia’s Freak ‘n’ Chic label are
Tesco-shelf funky house. And in turn it has But it remains just one wave in what has everyone who comes in knows exactly now making regular appearances
introduced Deansgate to the sort of been a sustained fl ood of reinvention. who all the DJs are but they’re all across town at Area 51.
punters who take more than a passing Scan over Area 51’s ever-growing roster clearly into the music and coming for a
interest in music. and you will fi nd a series of likeminded certain sound.”
•
M.A.N.D.Y. & HEIDI, MARCH
events with label showcases from the likes A Get Physical takeover touched
We arrive to fi nd a musically clued-up of Richie Hawtin’s M-Nus, Dan Ghenacia’s Rhadoo leans towards the kind of down as Phillip Jung from
crowd all blissfully lost in Iain Taylor’s Freak ‘n’ Chic and Luciano’s Cadenza. atmospheric tracks that are all about M.A.N.D.Y. and Heidi teamed up
subtlety and nuance rather than for a back-to-back selection of
instant impact. But it is telling that the warm, funk-infused techno.
depth isn’t lost on this evening’s
audience and Schumacher keeps the
•
STEVE LAWLER, APRIL
main room moving with touches of Taylor’s pal Lawler brought his
carnival percussion underpinning Viva party to Area 51 to showcase
much of his selection. futuristic sounds that compliment
It’s a set that is infectious, deeply the venue’s new aesthetic.
rhythmic and even jazzy with
Schumacher’s own cartoon-like ‘The
•
FELIX DA HOUSECAT, APRIL
Ooh’ coming on like a techno cousin of A headliner always guaranteed to
the cheeky offerings favoured by this pack them in and one of the few
city’s own Mr Scruff. DJs with true superstar aura.
“The most important thing was that
the venue didn’t ever become a
•
GAISER, MAY
late-night drinking den for stag A M-Nus special touched down
parties,” says Taylor. with Gaiser and label mate
Well, he’s achieved that and plenty Heartthrob marking a creative
more besides. Rather tellingly, the milestone for the venue.
many clubbers we speak to are equally
evangelical about the club.
094
www.djmag.com
DJ474.AAA_area51.indd 94 7/5/09 11:06:02
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