DJ Sasha – on the decks at The Haçienda, Manchester.
DJ Sasha, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the world of electronic dance music. His early career in the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly his involvement with The Hacienda in Manchester, played a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of his career and in the evolution of the electronic music scene.
Growing up in Deeside, a town in North Wales, Sasha’s early exposure to music came from a variety of genres, including punk, rock, and funk. However, it wasn’t until his late teens, in the mid-1980s, that he began to discover the burgeoning electronic music scene. The influence of acid house, which was sweeping the UK at the time, was a turning point for Sasha, whose early interest in DJing was sparked by the new wave of electronic music, which was about to explode across the country.
The acid house movement, driven by iconic artists like Larry Heard, Phuture, and A Guy Called Gerald, introduced a new style of club music—one that was hypnotic, bass-driven, and centered around the kind of repetitive beats that were ideal for all-night dancing. By the end of the decade, Sasha had started DJing at local clubs in the North of England, building a reputation for his technical skill, eclectic track selection, and a deep passion for the music.
Sasha’s early years as a DJ came at a time when The Hacienda was at the heart of Manchester’s cultural revolution. Opened in 1982, The Hacienda was initially a venue for post-punk and indie bands but quickly evolved into a mecca for the acid house and rave movements in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The club, which was run by Factory Records (the same label behind Joy Division, New Order, and The Happy Mondays), became the epicentre of Manchester’s rapidly growing dance scene and was a key venue in the birth of the Madchester sound. The Hacienda was a place where cutting-edge music met a wild, hedonistic club culture, and it was here that Sasha began to make his mark.
Sasha’s early DJing career at The Hacienda started in the late 1980s, at a time when the club was embracing the rise of acid house and house music. Sasha was drawn to The Hacienda, where the atmosphere was electric, and the crowd was equally diverse, coming together to experience the first wave of electronic dance music. His role in the scene grew as he became known for his unique approach to DJing—seamlessly blending house, acid, techno, and deep beats in a way that felt fresh and ahead of its time. In many ways, Sasha was able to thrive at The Hacienda because he shared its ethos: an unwavering desire to push boundaries and explore new musical frontiers.
During this period, Sasha’s ability to read the crowd and craft dynamic, emotionally charged sets helped him gain recognition as a rising star within the electronic music community. While The Hacienda was home to established figures like Mike Pickering and Dave Haslam, Sasha quickly became known for his distinct style and his technical skill behind the decks. He was able to blend the old-school warehouse sounds with the more melodic and sophisticated elements that would eventually define his career.
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