My first thought on reviewing Hacienda Classical, the headline set on the closing night of Sounds of the City, was ‘what on earth do I wear?’ Do I dress for a rave? Something more classical? And what about those ominous grey clouds gathering over Castlefield Bowl ? As it was, I needn’t have worried - anything goes at this event. From sequins and hotpants to skinny jeans and raincoats, there really is no dress code, or if there is, it’s as free as the spirit of the legendary Mancunian nightclub . READ MORE: "It's tough out there" Manchester's alcohol-free bar gives an update It’s the eighth year running now that Hacienda Classical has headlined the closing night of Sounds of the City.
The event merges DJ sets with orchestral magic (Image: Dominic Simpson-voodoo imaging) The orchestral clubbing project led by composer Tim Crooks, DJ Graeme Park and the Manchester Camerata is one of the biggest events in the city’s calendar, playing the sounds of the iconic club just a few streets from where it all began. Kicking off proceedings is Peter Hook, the bassist and frontman of New Order, playing a DJ set to get the crowd jumping. It’s a fitting start to the event, given that New Order largely funded the Hacienda back in the day.
And as Hooky’s set comes to a close, the sun makes an appearance to rapturous cheers from the crowd. Hooky returned to the stage to perform after an earlier DJ set (Image: Dominic Simpson-voodoo imaging) Next up are DJ sets from Hacienda DJs Gr.