The Chemical Brothers live on stage at The Haçienda Manchester
The Chemical Brothers’ sold-out show at the Haçienda in Manchester on June 15, 1996, was a landmark event in the UK’s electronic music scene. At the time, the duo, Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons, were still in the early stages of their rise to fame, having already released their debut album, Exit Planet Dust, earlier that year.
The Haçienda, a legendary club known for its pivotal role in the rave and acid house scenes of the late 80s and early 90s, had evolved by 1996 into a venue that was at the centre of Manchester’s dance music culture. By that point, it had witnessed the rise of various genres, including Madchester, acid house, and techno, making it an iconic venue for the city’s nightlife.
The Chemical Brothers’ performance at the Haçienda was part of their transition from underground acts to global superstars. With their distinctive blend of big beats, acid house, and electronic rock, they played a high-energy set that matched the venue’s reputation for memorable, intense nights. Fans experienced a mix of their already popular tracks, like “Leave Home” and “Chemical Beats,” paired with the kind of heavy, progressive, and psychedelic soundscapes that the duo was known for.
The show marked a key moment in the rise of big beat music, a genre that The Chemical Brothers, along with artists like The Prodigy and Fatboy Slim, helped define. The Haçienda crowd, a blend of passionate locals and dedicated fans, was treated to the kind of boundary-pushing performance that would become a defining aspect of the duo’s career.
This night remains memorable not only for its musical significance but also for its place in Manchester’s rich clubbing history. The Haçienda closed its doors in 1997, but events like The Chemical Brothers’ sold-out show contributed to cementing its status as a cultural institution in the history of dance music.
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