The outro.
Just beginning to relive the fastest moving moments of the past 10days. Some that I took nowhere near enough videos or photos of to remember, but there are some, and I will treasure these forever.
It has been a true privilege to do this thing. There was so much delight in the building recently despite the grim reality.
I’ve honestly had no idea how much the space meant to people and on such deep levels that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully appreciate.
The best memories have been made in this small corner of the world. The stories will live on.
We kept this going right up until the last possible second, to the point we only had 48hours to completely strip it back to merely a shell. I didn’t take any pics of the interior looking in such a way as I don’t wish to remember it like that.
After the last pint had been poured and we all stood on the steps for the final sound of the shutter coming crashing down; all we were left with was an eerie silence on Sackville.
Next stop, find new doors for all the wonderful humans we have been lucky enough to share this journey with.
Thank you 78 Sackville Street for having us. May the soul of those sound absorbed bricks be reborn and drenched in peaceful rain.
More updates coming soon. We miss you already x
VIDEOGRAPHY CREDIT: James Amos @ Jamhouse Productions
CHAOSSSSSS! God damn you're such an energetic bunch, we can hardly keep up! Another massive thank you to everyone who stuck around for our headline set at LlamaPalooza, honestly the best end to a special weekend, raising money to re-home @retromanchester with you absolute wonders.
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But we keep moving, next up on July 26th we'll be opening the main stage at @bandonthewall for @northernparasol to raise money to help relocate Retro! Bring the energy on display here, and show the corporate shites exactly why grass roots venues are so important! It's a massive line up including @strawberrylemonadeband@sugartungband and @fork.theband , 3 absolute powerhouses of the unsigned circuit.
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All ticket money goes straight to the Save Retro fundraiser, get them before it sells out!
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Insane video footage courtesy of @reecee_piec3ss
That moment when a visionary photographer and DJ stalwart suddenly arrives at 4am on your day of closure to pay tribute to a piece of cultural history within the Manchester music scene. Ezra captured the feeling perfectly. Check out his site cultivateculture1989 which documents many other greatly missed extinct venues in Manchester. All pictures have been taken on analogue film and great care taken during developing to capture tone and authenticity. Timeless.
CREDIT: Ezra Zubairu; Cultivate Culture 1989
I had an absolute blast playing at Retro's final ever show last weekend. So sad to lose such an iconic Manchester venue but what an incredible legacy it's left behind and what an honour to be a part of this farewell
📷 by @thatwaskai
3:58am Sunday 29th June - masterful DJ moment from Sophie JS. A real feeling of unity in our final team moment before we closed. The last piece of recorded music to be played through the Retro PA system. It brought a particular kind of collective melancholy. Time seemed like it was standing still for those final 4minutes.
36 hours later; we had stripped the place bare. A true team effort. We left our last window messages and huddled together for the final closing of the shutter and locking of the door.
Surrendering the keys for a space has given you so many life affirming memories brings an ugly feeling. You know every inch of its fabric and love the detail of each angle of each room. I honestly didn’t think it would hit me this hard though what has been lost.
Despite being proud of everything achieved, I feel like the work we were creating was only just starting and there was potential for many more good things to happen.
Perhaps it’s best to end on this bittersweet high; even if there is an instinctive longing for more of what made us feel alive…
Still thinking about that crowd energy from Retro last weekend - we love a singalong to Lullaby! •
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#singer #livemusic #manchestermusic #indiemusic
It was hot in every sense of the word.
That was one of the best nights at The Nu Beat Club.
Massive thanks to everyone that came down on Saturday and a special salute to those that danced all night despite the heat. People often say “the sweat was dripping off the walls” to describe their club, but on Saturday night it really was !
People come to The Nu Beat from all four points of the compass and we are eternally grateful for those that put in the miles (and money for hotels) to join us in Manchester.
Crazy Joe got us off to a flying start with a great mixed set of Jamaican sounds (including funk and soul tracks) proving why he is the best warm up man in the business. Paul and Sugar did what Paul and Sugar do and the dancefloor was as busy at 2am as it was at 11pm.
Someone (no name no pack drill) at some point in the evening managed to fuse the power supply to the stage. And we have it on video ! That’s the sheer power of “Mughead Ska” for you. At least the dancers got a short breather while we fixed it.
Extra special thanks to our guest selector Brian Kelson, who is one of the (if not THE) best Skinhead DJs in the world. Brian played two blinding spots despite suffering from a “falling off ladder stylee” injury to himself and despite Jill’s accident/set-back. Get well soon you two.
Saturday was our last night at Retro, which is about to be demolished for yet more apartments in city centre Manchester. Thanks to Mark, Bianca and the team at Retro for looking after us over the past three years and good luck with your new venture.
In the meantime, The Nu Beat Club is looking for a new home. When we find somewhere suitable, you lot will be the first to know. Hopefully we’ll be ready in time for our usual end of January club night. Keep your eyes on our socials. Make sure you follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Massive thank you to everyone who came down to our album launch set at @llamallamaband Llamapalooza festival on Saturday! We're so thrilled to finally have our album out so, if you haven't already, make sure to grab your own copy now through the link in the bio...
We also wanted to thank everyone at @retromanchester for having us and everything they've done for the local music scene. Manchester won't be the same without Retro, and we hope they come back bigger and better than ever soon 🔥 #savetheretro
Round 2! 🔔🔔🔔 You mad bunch absolutely turned up yesterday, @retromanchester has never bounced so hard. Time to do it all again! Amazing line up today, come down and join the party, retros final day before we close the doors for good.
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Tickets still available up in the Bio ☝️
