Peter J Walsh’s photographic archive of the birth of acid house in Manchester and the North West is an important cultural record of one of the most significant musical and cultural movements in modern British history.

Walsh was a documentary photographer who began photographing the Manchester music scene in the 1980s, including at The Hacienda nightclub. He was also present at some of the earliest acid house events in Manchester, and his photographs capture the energy and excitement of the burgeoning scene.

Walsh’s archive is a valuable record of the emergence and development of acid house in Manchester and the North West. His images capture the early days of the movement, with photographs of ravers, DJs, and clubbers at some of the most iconic acid house events in the region. These images provide a unique insight into the cultural and social aspects of acid house, and offer a visual record of a movement that had a profound impact on British culture.

In addition to their cultural significance, Walsh’s photographs are also of historical importance. They document the emergence of a genre of music and a club culture that would go on to shape the UK’s and world music scene for decades to come. They also capture a moment of cultural change in the UK, as young people embraced a new style of music and fashion that represented a break from the more traditional styles that had dominated British culture for decades.

Peter J Walsh’s photographic archive is an important cultural and historical record of the birth of acid house in Manchester and the North West. His images provide a window into a moment of cultural change in the UK, and offer a unique insight into the development of one of the most important musical movements of the 20th century.