Last Saturday 13th July Haçienda Classical returned home to Manchester as we performed at Sounds Of The City at Castlefield Bowl. This was our fourth sell out show in as many years at this outdoor venue and it was definitely by far the best one yet. On a cloudy but warm day, over 8,000 people crammed into the Castlefield Bowl as Herbie Saccani and Peter Hook warmed things up on the decks before Inner City played live. Mark XTC then helped build up the electric atmosphere before we took to the stage at 9pm.
The crowd didn't disappoint and gave us an incredible reception as we performed our new show which features some favourites from the past three years reworked for 2019 along with some new songs too. Once again our singers Yvonne Shelton, Rae Hall and Melanie Williams worked the crowd beautifully with the help of MC Tunes as the AMC Gospel Choir and the Manchester Camerata conducted by Tim Crooks performed wonderfully to set Castlefield Bowl alight. Peter Hook returned to the stage for our take on Blue Monday to a rapturous response and before we knew it, it was all over.
Or was it? Straight after the show we all headed to Gorilla for the Haçienda Classical After Party where I DJ’d alongside DJ Rae, Kevin Saunderson and Jon Da Silva. The vibe was amazing as the party continued until 4am.
A massive thank you to everyone who came along to see our penultimate show of our short 2019 tour that has seen us play in Scarborough, the Isle Of Wight Festival, Forest Live in Kent and Gloucestershire and The Royal Albert Hall. Unless we announce any other shows this year, you’ve only got one more chance to witness this year’s show and that’s on Sunday 28th July at Carfest North in Cheshire where we’ll be sharing the stage with Texas and Sister Sledge.
As I’ve said before in previous blogs and social media posts, this year’s show is definitely the best one yet so if you want to catch it before it’s gone, then please grab your Carfest tickets from the link below. At this point we have no idea if we’ll be touring and performing next year so this could be your very last chance to see the show ever.
Finally a lot of you have asked for the set list for this year’s show so I’ve decided to post it below for all of the trainspotters out there.
A packed Castlefield Bowl enjoying Inner City live in the sunshine
Haçienda Classical conducted by Tim Crooks on stage at Castlefield Bowl
Haçienda Classical Singer Rae Hall
Haçienda Classical singers Melanie Williams and Yvonne Shelton
The Castlefield Bowl crowd showing their love
Grab your Carfest North tickets here: Carfest North Tickets
Follow my exclusive behind the scenes videos via my IGTV Instagram and Facebook Page posts here:
Listen to my BBC Radio Manchester “The Making Of The Haçienda Classical” documentary via BBC Sounds here: The Making Of The Haçienda Classical
Listen to my Haçienda Classical After Party live DJ set here: This Is Graeme Park Haçienda Classical After Party Gorilla Manchester
Read ilovemanchester.com’s review here: ilovemanchester.com review
Read the Manchester Evening News review here: Manchester Evening News Review
HAÇIENDA CLASSICAL 2019 FULL SET LIST
Rhythm Is A Dancer
Can't Get Enough
Everybody
Someday
Finally
Hideaway (with House Music accapella)
What U Need
Can You Feel It?
Lack Of Love
Can You Party?
Weekend
Do You Want It Right Now?
Chime (with Home accapella)
Dreams Of Santa Anna
Promised Land
Let No Man Put Asunder (with Jack Your Body accapella)
Haven't You Heard?
Love Sensation
Ride On Time
I Know A Place
Voodoo Ray (with Movin’ On accapella)
Pacific State (with You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) accapella)
French Kiss/Last Night A DJ Saved My Life
At Night
Blue Monday (with This Is My Bassline accapella)
Better Days/Strings Of Life (with I’ll House You accapella)
Move Your Body
U Sure Do
Back To Love
Encore
Take Me Away/Anthem
Free
Ain't No Love (Ain't No Use)
You Got The Love
All images VooDoo Imaging