A Guy Called Gerald and Graham Massey – 808 State perform during Tony Wilson’s Other Side of Midnight [OSM] Aqua party at Victoria Baths, Manchester, Sunday November 6th 1988.
Tony Wilson’s The Other Side of Midnight Aqua Party at Victoria Baths in Manchester—was a legendary night that captured the spirit of the late ’80s and early ’90s rave culture. It was an exclusive and eclectic gathering that combined the world of Manchester’s music scene with the more avant-garde and experimental side of British nightlife. The party itself, organised by Tony Wilson (the iconic figure behind Factory Records and the Hacienda), was a celebration of electronic music and the vibrant energy that was coursing through the city at the time.
Gerald and Graham Massey of 808 State played an integral role in defining the sound of Manchester’s acid house and rave scene. 808 State and Gerald, are two of the most influential electronic music groups to come out of the city, were pioneers of the burgeoning genre of acid house and later techno. At events like the Aqua Party, they were at the forefront of the new wave of dance music that was sweeping across the UK.
Graham Massey and Gerald Simpson (often just called Gerald) were known for their innovative use of synths and drum machines, particularly the iconic Roland TR-808 drum machine (from which the band took their name). They were at the cutting edge of the fusion of house, techno, and electro that was starting to gain traction in Manchester and beyond. Their music was a vital part of the soundtrack to the era, and their live performances were electric, creating a raw, hypnotic energy that resonated with the crowd.
At Tony Wilson’s Aqua Party, Massey and Gerald photographed behind their gear—synths, drum machines, and samplers—creating atmospheric, bass-heavy beats that carried the dance floor into a trance-like state. Victoria Baths, a Victorian-era swimming pool complex, was the perfect setting for an event like this. The setting was unusual, quirky, and reflected the experimental nature of the rave scene that was taking over the city. With its tiled walls, columns, and arched windows, the baths offered a surreal backdrop that made it feel like a dream-like escape into another world, perfectly in tune with the electronic beats that echoed throughout the space.
For Tony Wilson, the man who had been a major driving force behind the scene, this party was not just about the music—it was about creating a space where the avant-garde, the experimental, and the boundary-pushing could coexist and flourish. And with 808 State at the heart of the night, the Aqua Party became a defining moment in Manchester’s rave history.
Printed on FUJI CRYSTAL ARCHIVE GLOSS
Professional colour paper from the Fuji Crystal archive range with a gloss finish, which accentuates the colour to give more contrast, glossiness and a punchy, rich feel.
