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The Haçienda: How Not to Run a Club
The Legendary musician and cofounder of Joy Division and New Order tells the whole story—the fun, the music, the vast loss of money, the legacy—of Manchester's most iconic nightclub Peter Hook has been shaping the course of popular music for 30 years. He provided the propulsive bass guitar melodies of Love Will Tear Us Apart, as well as Blue Monday and many other songs. As co-owner of Manchester's Hacienda club, Hook propelled the rise of acid house in the late 1980s, then suffered through its violent fall in the 1990s as gangs, drugs, greed, and a hostile police force destroyed everything he and his friends had created. This is his memory of that era and it is far sadder, funnier, scarier, and stranger than anyone has imagined. As young and naive musicians, the members of New Order were thrilled when their record label Factory opened a club. Yet as their career escalated, they toured the world, and they had top 10 hits, their royalties were being ploughed into the Hacienda and they were only being paid £20 per week. As Peter Hook tells the story of that exciting and hilarious time, all the main characters appear—Tony Wilson, Barney, Shaun Ryder—and he tells it like it truly was—a rollercoaster of success, money, confusion, and true faith.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published June 2, 2008
263 people are currently reading
3051 people want to read
About the author
Peter Hook
24 books131 followersPeter Hook (née Woodhead) is an English singer, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He is best known as the bassist and co-founder of English rock bands Joy Division and New Order.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
February 13, 2021
New Order had the biggest selling 12” single of all time in ‘Blue Monday’, but didn’t benefit from it materially - all their profit was sucked into a money-draining vortex known as the Haçienda.
In the 80’s the club held concerts by bands like Kiling Joke, Cocteau Twins, Sisters of Mercy and The Cult.
But from 1988 it became the centre of acid house and rave party culture.
Then, ethnic street gangs moved in and metal detectors had to be installed. Eventually the security costs were so high the club had to be shut down.
There are a few funny anecdotes in this book.
The funniest concerned a 1985 performance by Einstürzende Neubauten, when the band brought along a pneumatic drill, and during their set started attacking the central pillar that held up the entire building. The audience was mesmerised, and the club staff had to wrestle it away from them.
A strange decade, the 1980s.
In the 80’s the club held concerts by bands like Kiling Joke, Cocteau Twins, Sisters of Mercy and The Cult.
But from 1988 it became the centre of acid house and rave party culture.
Then, ethnic street gangs moved in and metal detectors had to be installed. Eventually the security costs were so high the club had to be shut down.
There are a few funny anecdotes in this book.
The funniest concerned a 1985 performance by Einstürzende Neubauten, when the band brought along a pneumatic drill, and during their set started attacking the central pillar that held up the entire building. The audience was mesmerised, and the club staff had to wrestle it away from them.
A strange decade, the 1980s.
April 6, 2012
It was huge, enormous, throbbing with noise. No not the club, Hooky's ego. Like being sat next to some middle aged geezer in a pub rambling on about those were the days, we started that, man we was having it large....etc etc.
February 14, 2018
The Haçienda: How Not to Run a Club: "How Not To Run A Club" is spot on. This is a highly readable account about how Manchester's Factory Records launched a nightclub called The Haçienda, in Manchester, that traded from 1982 to 1997, reinventing UK club culture in the process. After a slow start, which saw the club half empty for most of its events, it finally became a symbol of the Madchester era, a global phenomenon, with the club's legendary nights packed out with people from far and wide.
Peter Hook, aka Hooky, the bassist of New Order was one of the investors. This book is his version of events - and it's an engaging, and lucid account, and it's well written in a conversational style.
Whilst New Order were being paid a modest weekly wage, the huge revenues they were generating for Factory Records were being ploughed into The Haçienda. By 1985, The Haçienda owed New Order £2 million. Pretty much everything the band earned went into the club. Finally Hooky, and the rest of the band, had to take more of an interest in the way the club was being run.
As Hooky concedes at the book's conclusion, ultimately he and his colleagues didn't want to run The Haçienda as a business - they wanted a playground for themselves and their friends. This amateurish and haphazard way of running a club resulted in some jaw dropping tales. Ludicrous and short-sighted business decisions, extraordinary drug consumption, violence, and local gangs terrorising the door staff and the customers, and so on. It all makes for a great read. The extent to which you might enjoy it will probably be related to the extent to which the subject matter interests you. I am interested in Factory, New Order, and youth culture generally, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
4/5
Peter Hook, aka Hooky, the bassist of New Order was one of the investors. This book is his version of events - and it's an engaging, and lucid account, and it's well written in a conversational style.
Whilst New Order were being paid a modest weekly wage, the huge revenues they were generating for Factory Records were being ploughed into The Haçienda. By 1985, The Haçienda owed New Order £2 million. Pretty much everything the band earned went into the club. Finally Hooky, and the rest of the band, had to take more of an interest in the way the club was being run.
As Hooky concedes at the book's conclusion, ultimately he and his colleagues didn't want to run The Haçienda as a business - they wanted a playground for themselves and their friends. This amateurish and haphazard way of running a club resulted in some jaw dropping tales. Ludicrous and short-sighted business decisions, extraordinary drug consumption, violence, and local gangs terrorising the door staff and the customers, and so on. It all makes for a great read. The extent to which you might enjoy it will probably be related to the extent to which the subject matter interests you. I am interested in Factory, New Order, and youth culture generally, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
4/5
January 26, 2019
‘The Hacienda: How Not to Run a Club’ (2009) – is Peter Hook’s seemingly comprehensive account of the legendary and iconic music venue, club, art space, happening etc that was The Hacienda / FAC 51 – of which he was part owner.
Hook charts the history of ‘The Hac’ from its’ conception and inception, through the glory days of post punk, Madchester and acid house, via drugs, drink, gang violence and its’ ultimate demise under the weight of a stream of catastrophic and disastrous management decisions.
As Hook appears to admit, ultimately The Hac was essentially a vanity project – combined with wanting to create the best party that Manchester had ever seen. Through in with this an ethos that focused on only employing ‘your mates’ – this was never the best start for any business project, let alone an ambitious one of this nature.
All that being said however, nonetheless – what New Order, Rob Gretton, Tony Wilson et al managed to create, was certainly for quite some time, something very special – hence its’ iconic status.
For the early years of The Hac, you have only to look at the list of bands/acts that performed there, to see how important The Hac was to the music scene in the north of England and way beyond, subsequently becoming the epicentre of the aid house scene of the North.
In his book, Hook presents us with a year by year – which would probably have benefited from some editing down somewhat. There are the annual management ‘meetings’ and financial accounts, which do feel somewhat superfluous after a while. The book as a whole does feel repetitive at times – so many accounts of violent and drug fueled incidents and adventures, so many stories of bizarre and ill-informed management decisions.
Not sure how much Hooks’ story of The Hacienda’ adds to those already out there by: Tony Wilson (24 Hour Party People) Jon Savage (The Hacienda Must be Built) and Dave Haslam (Manchester England) – but at least it gives the history of The Hacienda from the point of view of Peter Hook as one of the part owners – it gives Hook the chance to tell his version of events.
Minor gripe: In this mass market paperback edition – the photos included at the end of the book and the print quality thereof, is a very poor reproduction (presumably better in the original hardback edition).
And so came the ultimate demise of The Hacienda – disappearing into physical oblivion, whilst cementing its’ own cultural iconic status, under the crushing weight of drink, drugs, violence, gang culture, catastrophic management ‘decisions’, falling attendance levels, changing times, changing music and changing clubs. The Hacienda started out as something very special, something very creative and boundary breaking - towards the end, it became sadly nothing more than 'just another club'.
Peter Hooks account is workmanlike and efficient, sporadically entertaining and comprehensive.
Hook charts the history of ‘The Hac’ from its’ conception and inception, through the glory days of post punk, Madchester and acid house, via drugs, drink, gang violence and its’ ultimate demise under the weight of a stream of catastrophic and disastrous management decisions.
As Hook appears to admit, ultimately The Hac was essentially a vanity project – combined with wanting to create the best party that Manchester had ever seen. Through in with this an ethos that focused on only employing ‘your mates’ – this was never the best start for any business project, let alone an ambitious one of this nature.
All that being said however, nonetheless – what New Order, Rob Gretton, Tony Wilson et al managed to create, was certainly for quite some time, something very special – hence its’ iconic status.
For the early years of The Hac, you have only to look at the list of bands/acts that performed there, to see how important The Hac was to the music scene in the north of England and way beyond, subsequently becoming the epicentre of the aid house scene of the North.
In his book, Hook presents us with a year by year – which would probably have benefited from some editing down somewhat. There are the annual management ‘meetings’ and financial accounts, which do feel somewhat superfluous after a while. The book as a whole does feel repetitive at times – so many accounts of violent and drug fueled incidents and adventures, so many stories of bizarre and ill-informed management decisions.
Not sure how much Hooks’ story of The Hacienda’ adds to those already out there by: Tony Wilson (24 Hour Party People) Jon Savage (The Hacienda Must be Built) and Dave Haslam (Manchester England) – but at least it gives the history of The Hacienda from the point of view of Peter Hook as one of the part owners – it gives Hook the chance to tell his version of events.
Minor gripe: In this mass market paperback edition – the photos included at the end of the book and the print quality thereof, is a very poor reproduction (presumably better in the original hardback edition).
And so came the ultimate demise of The Hacienda – disappearing into physical oblivion, whilst cementing its’ own cultural iconic status, under the crushing weight of drink, drugs, violence, gang culture, catastrophic management ‘decisions’, falling attendance levels, changing times, changing music and changing clubs. The Hacienda started out as something very special, something very creative and boundary breaking - towards the end, it became sadly nothing more than 'just another club'.
Peter Hooks account is workmanlike and efficient, sporadically entertaining and comprehensive.
October 4, 2010
This was a personal joy to read: it took me back to my teenage years in the late 80s when I used to frequent the club.
It was a great time for me personally and for the city generally. Everything felt energised and exciting and I can still remember my first time inside the Hacienda.
It broke a lot of ground and I found myself mixing with people I wouldn't ordinarily have bumped into.
Hooky conveys all the traumas and adventures with a remarkably casual, conversational tone. It makes for great insights into how things developed and how they went SO badly wrong.
It wouldn't have taken a genius to sort things out, but that clearly wasn't the Factory way of doing things!
There are some scary lessons in life to be learnt within these pages, but it's all tied up beautifully. I liked teh contrast between the personalised tales and the raw extracts from the annual accounts and lists of those who played the club.
Ultimately it's tales from a bygone era, but if you were there, what an era it was.
It was a great time for me personally and for the city generally. Everything felt energised and exciting and I can still remember my first time inside the Hacienda.
It broke a lot of ground and I found myself mixing with people I wouldn't ordinarily have bumped into.
Hooky conveys all the traumas and adventures with a remarkably casual, conversational tone. It makes for great insights into how things developed and how they went SO badly wrong.
It wouldn't have taken a genius to sort things out, but that clearly wasn't the Factory way of doing things!
There are some scary lessons in life to be learnt within these pages, but it's all tied up beautifully. I liked teh contrast between the personalised tales and the raw extracts from the annual accounts and lists of those who played the club.
Ultimately it's tales from a bygone era, but if you were there, what an era it was.
February 8, 2021
O carte absolut necesară dacă te gândești să-ți faci club. Merge și la cei care nu s-au gândit încă la asta dar mai merg prin cluburi. Peter Hook, de exemplu, fostul fondator al Joy Division și New Order a avut unul, în Manchester și nu i-a priit chiar până la capăt. Haçienda a fost un superclub înainte să se fi inventat termenul și a crescut o generație care a rupt nu doar în zona de electronică, inventând mai târziu brit-pop-ul și făcând celebru new-wave-ul britanic. De asta poate, așa cum povestește Hook, într-un live din 85 Einstürzende Neubauten au adus un ciocan pneumatic și au început să-l folosească chiar pe stâlpul principal de sprijin al clubului în timp ce mulțimea și top managmentul turba de plăcere. Toată lumea a văzut 24 hours party people dar cartea asta e un fel de Trainspotting al anilor 80. Afli cum vocalistul de la The Fall avea la micul dejun Guiness cu cereale peste care mai presăra din stimulentul lui favorit, cum i-au furat barmanii poșeta Madonnei din cabina de probă și de ce l-a lăsat Nico pe Mick Jagger ca să stea la Manchester.
Hooky scrie șmeker, autoironic și sincer. Ca un bpm de la începuturile acid house-ului. Ai și-o poveste fabuloasă a unui ins care n-avea niciun talent la business, ai gangsteri, droguri, succes și sărăkie, dar mai mult de-atât ai istoria celor 15 ani în care cade ”chităreala” și vine viitorul.
Hooky scrie șmeker, autoironic și sincer. Ca un bpm de la începuturile acid house-ului. Ai și-o poveste fabuloasă a unui ins care n-avea niciun talent la business, ai gangsteri, droguri, succes și sărăkie, dar mai mult de-atât ai istoria celor 15 ani în care cade ”chităreala” și vine viitorul.
April 15, 2011
I had put this one aside as I'm not a huge 'Hooky' fan. He rather grates sometimes.
Reading the first chapter of the book I thought I'd done the right thing. The guy's arrogant stupidity and his actions described made me cringe. However as the book goes on he's less irritating. This was a book I couldn't not read. Everyone's account of those days differ wildly. Sometimes in fact and always in opinion. This is a guy who has probably the most invested in the story of the club. Both financially and emotionally. I had to hear his story.
Well I say his story. A huge percentage of the book is quotes from other writers. Normally this would irritate. here though I feel while not a great thing it's understandable. Better writers, clearer memories and viewpoints helped rather than hindered. All the books referenced are listed at the book. They make a pretty good reading list.
The author has led a charmed life. He was in the right place at the right time and was pretty central to a movement which changed Manchester. He had the money (even if his manager was only paying him per week) and the time to spend the Acid House years off his trolley enjoying the vibe. Most people would have given more than their right arm to be where he was. To spend the summer of '88 in Ibiza discovering MDMA, well people would have given their left.
He doesn't brush over his outrageous disrespect of other people's property, the taxman and anyone else who doesn't follow his line of thinking. He puts it in there. I can't decide whether this is because he wants to be honest or whether he's proud of it. Maybe he wasn't surprised for the lack of respect the staff showed the Profit and Loss side of the club. No-one there was leading by that kind of example.
After reading the book my thoughts haven't really changed. Yes Manchester and music in general owe New Order a hell of a lot for allowing the Hacienda to exist. Maybe if they'd have put a little effort in they could have made it more successful as a business. But we all love the fact that it was done for the love of it.
What Mr Hook doesn't tell us is how much he has recouped from his ownership of the Hacienda name since it's closure. How much have the other 3 band members made from it?
This is a must read for anyone with an interest in the club. For others the lack of common sense may keep them cringing throughout.
Reading the first chapter of the book I thought I'd done the right thing. The guy's arrogant stupidity and his actions described made me cringe. However as the book goes on he's less irritating. This was a book I couldn't not read. Everyone's account of those days differ wildly. Sometimes in fact and always in opinion. This is a guy who has probably the most invested in the story of the club. Both financially and emotionally. I had to hear his story.
Well I say his story. A huge percentage of the book is quotes from other writers. Normally this would irritate. here though I feel while not a great thing it's understandable. Better writers, clearer memories and viewpoints helped rather than hindered. All the books referenced are listed at the book. They make a pretty good reading list.
The author has led a charmed life. He was in the right place at the right time and was pretty central to a movement which changed Manchester. He had the money (even if his manager was only paying him per week) and the time to spend the Acid House years off his trolley enjoying the vibe. Most people would have given more than their right arm to be where he was. To spend the summer of '88 in Ibiza discovering MDMA, well people would have given their left.
He doesn't brush over his outrageous disrespect of other people's property, the taxman and anyone else who doesn't follow his line of thinking. He puts it in there. I can't decide whether this is because he wants to be honest or whether he's proud of it. Maybe he wasn't surprised for the lack of respect the staff showed the Profit and Loss side of the club. No-one there was leading by that kind of example.
After reading the book my thoughts haven't really changed. Yes Manchester and music in general owe New Order a hell of a lot for allowing the Hacienda to exist. Maybe if they'd have put a little effort in they could have made it more successful as a business. But we all love the fact that it was done for the love of it.
What Mr Hook doesn't tell us is how much he has recouped from his ownership of the Hacienda name since it's closure. How much have the other 3 band members made from it?
This is a must read for anyone with an interest in the club. For others the lack of common sense may keep them cringing throughout.
July 16, 2017
This is the first of three books written to date by ex-Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook. It chronicles how he and a motley crew of other Factory Records idealists managed to create a now legendary nightclub that played a central role in Manchester's music scene despite a comical lack of business acumen and competency.
While an entertaining read, I found this to be the weakest of Hook's three books. There was a great deal of overlap between this book and his other two, with many of the most memorable anecdotes covered in more depth in his Substance: Inside New Order book. Fans without a nostalgic connection to the Hacienda and/or Madchester music scene in particular can safely skip this book in favor of his more engrossing Joy Division and New Order memoirs.
While an entertaining read, I found this to be the weakest of Hook's three books. There was a great deal of overlap between this book and his other two, with many of the most memorable anecdotes covered in more depth in his Substance: Inside New Order book. Fans without a nostalgic connection to the Hacienda and/or Madchester music scene in particular can safely skip this book in favor of his more engrossing Joy Division and New Order memoirs.
February 16, 2025
“Wasted the opportunity? I suppose we did. There was more than one. We were pretty good at it. But if you’re going to waste an opportunity, there are a few important things to remember. Do it in style. Do it in public. And, above all, do it in Manchester.”
August 23, 2020
Videorecensione: https://youtu.be/Vp3xp4JxaMs
May 11, 2021
This should be a required text in business school. Although the team that brought the Hacienda to life were not business savvy, they should have succeeded based on their "artistic" instincts which conquered the globe and put Manchester on the map of "hipster" destinations.
If you've seen the movie 24 Hour Party People, you know Tony Wilson, head of Factory Records, financed the club from sales of New Order's smash single "Blue Monday." What started as a venue for live music (which was too ahead of its time and failed to attract the masses) ended up "inventing" superstar DJ culture. By then they had crowds clamoring to get in, but never overcame the early financial mistakes that only seemed to be exacerbated via even more grandiose "improvements" (they always bought high and sold low, in addition to other blunders that resulted in huge tax penalties).
I am surprised that Peter Hook, as a member of New Order, spent so much time in the club that he owned (though it took him years to realize the Hacienda was sucking up all of the money that should have belonged to the band from touring and records). How on earth did he have time to tour with the band? It seemed as though he was there every day while all the insanity described was happening (and it was insantity).
Of course, it all had to come crashing down eventually. Aside from the financial problems that only got worse, there was the ever increasing problem of local gangsters. The cops were no match for them because the gangs all carried Uzis.
The owners were powerless to keep them out because they liked clubbing as much as anyone else. However, they would have benefited from the kind of sage advice they could have gotten from the more professional-sounding Vegas mobsters. In short, dead bodies scare the tourists away.
That was the real reason they could not sell the club, even to the likes of Richard Branson.
If you've seen the movie 24 Hour Party People, you know Tony Wilson, head of Factory Records, financed the club from sales of New Order's smash single "Blue Monday." What started as a venue for live music (which was too ahead of its time and failed to attract the masses) ended up "inventing" superstar DJ culture. By then they had crowds clamoring to get in, but never overcame the early financial mistakes that only seemed to be exacerbated via even more grandiose "improvements" (they always bought high and sold low, in addition to other blunders that resulted in huge tax penalties).
I am surprised that Peter Hook, as a member of New Order, spent so much time in the club that he owned (though it took him years to realize the Hacienda was sucking up all of the money that should have belonged to the band from touring and records). How on earth did he have time to tour with the band? It seemed as though he was there every day while all the insanity described was happening (and it was insantity).
Of course, it all had to come crashing down eventually. Aside from the financial problems that only got worse, there was the ever increasing problem of local gangsters. The cops were no match for them because the gangs all carried Uzis.
The owners were powerless to keep them out because they liked clubbing as much as anyone else. However, they would have benefited from the kind of sage advice they could have gotten from the more professional-sounding Vegas mobsters. In short, dead bodies scare the tourists away.
That was the real reason they could not sell the club, even to the likes of Richard Branson.
August 20, 2020
Так я и не поняла, почему целых 15 лет понадобилось, чтобы догадаться, что клуб убыточен, сотрудники воруют, деньги никто не считает. Хотя бы задуматься о том, почему ты вливаешь тысячи фунтов в свой собственный клуб, а потом покупаешь там пиво за деньги. Ну и из 362 страниц уныния, как это было плохо, и то было плохо, а потом был пожар, а в следующем году драка, а в следующем - бандиты, примерно 15 осталось на "мы были молоды, энергичны, чудом выжили, да здравствует ностальгия".
p.s.: 0 опечаток, я под впечатлением.
p.s.: 0 опечаток, я под впечатлением.
June 20, 2025
Always good to read about Factory, Joy Division, New Order and of course the Hacienda
September 2, 2018
I read this book with nothing much invested in the subject matter. I found the Hacienda a depressing destination for a night out in the early-mid '80s; often empty and freezing cold, and on nights you went to see bands you were reminded just how shitty the acoustics really were. Having no interest in either car alarm music or getting shot, I avoided the place altogether in its more successful later period.
I was (and remain) a fan of Joy Division, though, and had read and thoroughly enjoyed Hooky's 'Unknown Pleasures', so decided to give this a go. I'm glad I did, because it's written in the same style as the former; Hooky is a natural raconteur, certainly better than he was at running a nightclub anyway! The story is simple - a bunch of musicians and creative types try to run a business. They have some money, but no acumen, and for the most part they employ their mates instead of people qualified to do the job. As the club becomes successful, the gangs come calling and with the police unwilling to help they employ a notorious local crime family to run the door. Add into the mix that most of the participants in this enterprise are off their heads for a decent proportion of the time, and rather than regarding it as a failure you'll marvel at the fact that Hooky and Co. managed to keep the place open for fifteen years.
A most entertaining read, far more so than a night out at the Hacienda ever was.
I was (and remain) a fan of Joy Division, though, and had read and thoroughly enjoyed Hooky's 'Unknown Pleasures', so decided to give this a go. I'm glad I did, because it's written in the same style as the former; Hooky is a natural raconteur, certainly better than he was at running a nightclub anyway! The story is simple - a bunch of musicians and creative types try to run a business. They have some money, but no acumen, and for the most part they employ their mates instead of people qualified to do the job. As the club becomes successful, the gangs come calling and with the police unwilling to help they employ a notorious local crime family to run the door. Add into the mix that most of the participants in this enterprise are off their heads for a decent proportion of the time, and rather than regarding it as a failure you'll marvel at the fact that Hooky and Co. managed to keep the place open for fifteen years.
A most entertaining read, far more so than a night out at the Hacienda ever was.
August 14, 2015
Riding on the publishing (aka selling) success of Mister Hook's first book, about his days and nights in the seminal cold wave 80s band Joy Division, it seems the publishers and his handlers thought they might be able to squeeze one more out of 'im.
Sadly, that's exactly what this it: a hodge-podge of random recollections of Peter's wild times back in the nightclub 90s at their own personal money pit of a northern nightclub, Factory Records/New Order's own THE HACIENDA. Sounds like a juicy read, written by someone who had first-hand experience and was neck deep in the action, right?
Many of the tales are truly amusing, but whoever's idea it was to pad the book out to novel length with board of directors' meeting notes should have already been fired. Who gives a flying fuck about how much money they were projected to spend, particularly when "Hooky", as he is lovingly referred to by his closest friends, reminds us again and again how the numbers were just made up by a bunch of punters with no background in business and no bloody idea what they were doing?
The most interesting aspect of the whole story of this strangely unsuccessful, yet also strangely influential, nightclub could also be said of the book itself: it is truly unbelievable just how long they managed to make it go on!!
Sadly, that's exactly what this it: a hodge-podge of random recollections of Peter's wild times back in the nightclub 90s at their own personal money pit of a northern nightclub, Factory Records/New Order's own THE HACIENDA. Sounds like a juicy read, written by someone who had first-hand experience and was neck deep in the action, right?
Many of the tales are truly amusing, but whoever's idea it was to pad the book out to novel length with board of directors' meeting notes should have already been fired. Who gives a flying fuck about how much money they were projected to spend, particularly when "Hooky", as he is lovingly referred to by his closest friends, reminds us again and again how the numbers were just made up by a bunch of punters with no background in business and no bloody idea what they were doing?
The most interesting aspect of the whole story of this strangely unsuccessful, yet also strangely influential, nightclub could also be said of the book itself: it is truly unbelievable just how long they managed to make it go on!!
July 28, 2012
Overall, a good read about a club only know through my interest in the music of New Order and the film 24 Hour Party People. I just wish the copy-editor had paid a little more attention and caught the many typos that pop up throughout. Pretty sloppy for a book from Simon & Schuster.
Here's my Hacienda playlist, limited though it is:
Joy Division – “Love Will Tear Us Apart”
The Smiths – “Hand in Glove”
Gun Club – “Sex Beat”
New Order – “Blue Monday”
New Order – “Bizarre Love Triangle”
New Order – “True Faith” [Shep Pettipone 12” Remix]
New Order – “Fine Time”
New Order – “Regret”
Heaven 17 – “(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang”
Cabaret Voltaire – “Kino”
Shannon – “Let The Music Play”
Black Box – “Ride on Time”
K-Klass – “Rhythm Is a Mystery”
The Stone Roses – “Fools Gold”
Electronic – “Getting Away with It” [Nude Mix]
DeeLite – “Good Beat”
Happy Mondays - "24 Hour Party People"
Beats International – “Dub Be Good to Me”
Happy Mondays – “Halleluja”
Happy Mondays – “Step On” [Paul Oakenfeld Remix]
Here's my Hacienda playlist, limited though it is:
Joy Division – “Love Will Tear Us Apart”
The Smiths – “Hand in Glove”
Gun Club – “Sex Beat”
New Order – “Blue Monday”
New Order – “Bizarre Love Triangle”
New Order – “True Faith” [Shep Pettipone 12” Remix]
New Order – “Fine Time”
New Order – “Regret”
Heaven 17 – “(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang”
Cabaret Voltaire – “Kino”
Shannon – “Let The Music Play”
Black Box – “Ride on Time”
K-Klass – “Rhythm Is a Mystery”
The Stone Roses – “Fools Gold”
Electronic – “Getting Away with It” [Nude Mix]
DeeLite – “Good Beat”
Happy Mondays - "24 Hour Party People"
Beats International – “Dub Be Good to Me”
Happy Mondays – “Halleluja”
Happy Mondays – “Step On” [Paul Oakenfeld Remix]
April 11, 2017
This is a difficult one to review as in many ways it's a really unique book. It worked well in the sense that it conveyed the music and club scene in 80s and 90s Britain (and beyond, with reference to the U.S. and Ibiza clubs that influenced and were influenced by the Hacienda). It was also interesting to get an insight into how much money the club was haemorrhaging each night, and shows that even those who are talented and savvy in one field are totally not in others. Hooky's life away from the club also gets a mention, but the Hacienda is at the centre of this book, which includes quotes, accounts and gig/clubnight listings as well as chronologically covering the club's existence. Definitely worth a look, especially if you are interested in the Manchester music scene.
December 28, 2016
Endless tales of stupidity, of ignorance, of violence and of drugs - of a lifestyle of excess. But no real insight, and not much joy either.
I struggled to finish it, and found it hard to care about the difficulties and the money the band all lost mainly because they didn't start paying any attention to what was happening with the club until long after key decisions had been taken.
I struggled to finish it, and found it hard to care about the difficulties and the money the band all lost mainly because they didn't start paying any attention to what was happening with the club until long after key decisions had been taken.
June 14, 2012
Boring book that talks about drugs way too much!
January 10, 2023
3 stars because the story is engrossing and almost unbelievable but the writing and author were hard work. Cannot believe that they were crazy enough to continue the club at some points
November 14, 2025
Increíble. Combina historias de bar y de discoteca con la crónica de la muerte anunciada de una empresa que no se mantiene por otra cosa que por el ego de sus dueños y MÚSICA, MÚSICA Y MÁS MÚSICA. Te sale este libro.
Y nadie mejor para narrarlo que Peter Hook, que parece de una memoria superdotada considerando la cantidad de drogas que se metió en todos esos años, un pilar de la música contemporánea y quien además logra hacerte reír cada 5 páginas con su ironía, su sarcasmo y su recuento de todas las anécdotas que sucedieron tanto ADENTRO como FUERA de The Hacienda. Porque incluso te narra eventos no del todo relacionados solo porque vale la pena.
Como a veces me gusta decir, este es un libro hecho para los fans. Te lo cuenta todo, tanto lo bueno como lo malo. Sin tapujos, tal como fue. Te pone hasta las cuentas AÑO POR AÑO de los gastos y las pérdidas. Te cuenta la filosofía del club, las cosas que pasaban, los grupos y DJ's que se presentaban y algunas anécdotas de ellos (mención honorífica a Morrisey).
CARAJO, hasta al final te pone fotos de la época. Tremendo libro para los que nos gusta esa escena de Manchester con todas sus variantes, desde Joy Division y New Order hasta la etapa electrónica, el nacimiento de los raves y los Stone Roses.
Y nadie mejor para narrarlo que Peter Hook, que parece de una memoria superdotada considerando la cantidad de drogas que se metió en todos esos años, un pilar de la música contemporánea y quien además logra hacerte reír cada 5 páginas con su ironía, su sarcasmo y su recuento de todas las anécdotas que sucedieron tanto ADENTRO como FUERA de The Hacienda. Porque incluso te narra eventos no del todo relacionados solo porque vale la pena.
Como a veces me gusta decir, este es un libro hecho para los fans. Te lo cuenta todo, tanto lo bueno como lo malo. Sin tapujos, tal como fue. Te pone hasta las cuentas AÑO POR AÑO de los gastos y las pérdidas. Te cuenta la filosofía del club, las cosas que pasaban, los grupos y DJ's que se presentaban y algunas anécdotas de ellos (mención honorífica a Morrisey).
CARAJO, hasta al final te pone fotos de la época. Tremendo libro para los que nos gusta esa escena de Manchester con todas sus variantes, desde Joy Division y New Order hasta la etapa electrónica, el nacimiento de los raves y los Stone Roses.
June 11, 2021
If you liked the movie "24 Hour Party People" you'll likely enjoy this history of the Hacienda club as written by Peter Hook (of Joy Division and New Order) who was a partner in the club. Despite losing money hand over fist, Hook had a helluva time and he tells a good story. The club was always a bit ahead of its time, from post-punk to acid house, the bands and DJs went on to global acclaim. Yet bad management, criminal elements and some very poor decisions meant the club was always on the verge of being shut down. Of course, that element of always being on the edge of annihilation led to many epic parties and adventures. Sha na na na na, live for today!
Eventually reality creeps in, the drugs don't work as well anymore and there are casualties. Hook is pretty honest about the dark side and that helps to paint the whole picture. It seems the Hacienda was a great place to visit, but you didn't want to live (or die) there.
Eventually reality creeps in, the drugs don't work as well anymore and there are casualties. Hook is pretty honest about the dark side and that helps to paint the whole picture. It seems the Hacienda was a great place to visit, but you didn't want to live (or die) there.
October 26, 2021
Great Escape From Reality
Having heard about the Hacienda as a youngster(it was just before my time) I was fascinated to read about it and how it became and existed in the most purest form about the love of expression, life, music and art. What an incredible testament to life that these folks created such a monumental cultural statement to life. As such it clashed in equally monumental fashion with reality and all the aspects of that world. I found it a fascinating account as it evolved through time. Like energy or vibration to eventually dissolve into the ether from which it came.
Having heard about the Hacienda as a youngster(it was just before my time) I was fascinated to read about it and how it became and existed in the most purest form about the love of expression, life, music and art. What an incredible testament to life that these folks created such a monumental cultural statement to life. As such it clashed in equally monumental fashion with reality and all the aspects of that world. I found it a fascinating account as it evolved through time. Like energy or vibration to eventually dissolve into the ether from which it came.
October 6, 2024
Enjoyable read if you’re a fan of bands like New order and the Happy Mondays. It was surprising that the club lasted as long as it did considering the constant issues of gangs, violence and financial mismanagement. The era of Acid house and ecstasy in the late 80s/early 90s was the defining era for the club. What followed was a gradual decline, fuelled by gangs carving out their share of the drug scene and the club falling behind the music trends which it had once been so far ahead of.
September 12, 2019
Interesting read and honest insight in to how they managed to lose so much money running the Hacienda and just how much it was financed by New Order
April 10, 2020
Batallitas de un bajista drogadicto
September 18, 2021
Always been obsessed with the Madchester music scene. Made me nostalgic for a place I'd never experienced.
April 9, 2023
This was the second time I’ve read this, and I re-learnt a lot about music and Manchester in the 80-90s. It’s a great read for anyone who loves the city, but otherwise it’s essentially a chaotic story of night out after night out.
April 21, 2024
Joy Division had held the whole fucking thing up.
February 2, 2025
A great trip down memory lane and a colourful history of the music of Madchester, the birth of Club culture, , House music and the Age of the DJ
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