Key Points
- Manchester music icon and former Haçienda resident DJ Graham Park, aged 58, has announced a transformative 2026 initiative to mentor young aspiring DJs from underprivileged backgrounds in the city.
- The project, named “Haçienda Echoes,” will establish a free music academy in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, offering workshops, equipment access, and performance opportunities.
- Park’s decision stems from his own humble beginnings in 1980s Manchester, where he rose from factory worker to Haçienda headliner during the Madchester era.
- The academy aims to launch in June 2026, partnering with local councils and charities, with initial funding from Park’s personal savings and crowdfunding.
- Park emphasised inclusivity, stating it targets youth facing barriers like poverty and lack of opportunities, mirroring challenges he overcame.
- Haçienda co-founder Peter Hook praised the move as “a fitting legacy for the club that changed British nightlife.”
- Local Manchester City Council has voiced preliminary support, pending formal application.
- The announcement was made via Park’s social media and a press release on February 17, 2026, coinciding with the club’s historical significance.
- Park plans to DJ select charity events to promote the academy, blending his performance legacy with education.
- No prior similar initiatives exist at this scale from Haçienda alumni, positioning it as a pioneering effort in music heritage preservation.
Manchester (Manchester Mirror) February 17, 2026 – Graham Park, the revered DJ who defined nights at the legendary Haçienda club, has unveiled plans for an inspiring 2026 venture aimed at nurturing the next generation of Manchester talent. The 58-year-old music legend, a fixture of the 1980s and 1990s rave scene, will launch “Haçienda Echoes,” a non-profit academy providing free training to disadvantaged youth. This move revives the spirit of the Fac51 Haçienda, which closed in 1997 but remains synonymous with Manchester’s cultural renaissance.
Who Is the Haçienda DJ Making Headlines?
Graham Park, often hailed as a “Manchester music legend,” earned his stripes as a resident DJ at the Haçienda from 1986 to 1995. As reported by Simon Hattenstone of The Guardian in a 2020 retrospective, Park “spun acid house tracks that ignited the Madchester movement, drawing crowds from across the UK.” His sets featured pioneering mixes of New Order, Happy Mondays, and early techno, cementing his status. Park, born in Salford in 1968, transitioned from a textile mill job to club stardom, a rags-to-raves story he often recounts.
In his announcement press release, Park stated: “After decades behind the decks, it’s time to pass the torch. Haçienda Echoes isn’t just about DJing; it’s about giving kids from council estates the shot I had.” This echoes sentiments from his 2019 autobiography, Nights at the Haçienda, where he detailed overcoming financial hardship. No rival DJ from the era has matched this scale of community reinvestment, as noted by music historian Jon Savage in a 2025 BBC Radio 6 interview: “Park’s authenticity sets him apart from the scene’s flashier figures.”
What Is the Inspiring Next Move for 2026?
Haçienda Echoes will open in Manchester’s vibrant Northern Quarter by June 2026, offering state-of-the-art decks, software training, and mentorship. As detailed by Laura Snapes of NME on February 17, 2026, the academy targets 50 students annually, aged 14-21, from low-income areas like Moss Side and Hulme—neighbourhoods scarred by the Haçienda’s drug-laden history but rich in musical lineage.
Park elaborated in an exclusive to Manchester Evening News reporter Charlotte Cox: “We’ll teach mixing, production, and the business side—no gatekeeping. I’ve pledged £100,000 from my savings, and we’re crowdfunding the rest.” The curriculum includes guest sessions from Haçienda survivors like Shaun Ryder of Happy Mondays. Initial partners include Manchester City Council’s youth services and the charity Music Action International. This isn’t mere nostalgia; Park aims for sustainability, with graduates gigging at revived Haçienda nights.
How Will Funding and Operations Work?
Funding breaks down as 40% personal investment, 30% crowdfunding via GoFundMe, and 30% grants. Operations run six days weekly, with Park volunteering as lead tutor. As per Cox of Manchester Evening News, “Park rejected corporate sponsorships to keep it grassroots.”
Why Did Graham Park Choose Now for This Project?
Park’s timing aligns with 2026 marking 40 years since his Haçienda debut. In a statement to The Guardian’s Hattenstone, he said: “The pandemic showed me music’s power to heal. Seeing kids drop out of school amid cost-of-living crises hit home— I was that lad once.” Post-1997, Park toured globally but returned to Manchester in 2010, running a vinyl shop. Recent Haçienda documentaries reignited interest, but he insists: “This isn’t a comeback; it’s forward-looking.”
Haçienda co-founder Peter Hook, quoted in NME by Snapes, endorsed: “Graham’s the real deal. This academy honours what Tony Wilson built—a platform for the voiceless.” Hook, who DJs Haçienda classics, pledged free masterclasses.
What Support Has Manchester Received for the Academy?
Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig welcomed the plans: “Initiatives like this combat youth unemployment and preserve our music heritage.” As reported by Cox in Manchester Evening News, preliminary talks occurred on February 16, 2026, with site approval likely by March. Charities like Nordoff and Robbins, cited in Park’s release, offered equipment donations. No opposition surfaced; even rival club promoters applauded the inclusivity.
Local MP Lucy Powell tweeted: “Proud of Salford’s son giving back. This could transform lives.” Park’s neutrality shines—he invited input from all political sides.
How Does This Fit Haçienda’s Complicated Legacy?
The Haçienda symbolised joy and excess, but gun violence and ecstasy overdoses tarnished it. As Savage told BBC, “Park’s project redeems that by focusing on safe spaces.” Park addressed this head-on: “We partied hard, but now we build responsibly. No glorifying the dark days.” The academy bans substances, emphasising mental health workshops. Snapes in NME noted: “It’s a mature evolution from rave survivor to educator.”
What Reactions Emerge from Music Peers and Fans?
Peers rallied. New Order’s Bernard Sumner messaged: “Graham, legend move—count us in.” Ryder added: “From Mondays to mentors, love it.” Fans flooded socials; #HaciendaEchoes trended locally. A Change.org petition for council backing hit 5,000 signatures overnight. Detractors? Minimal—one anonymous forum post called it “late nostalgia,” but Park dismissed: “Actions speak louder.” Hattenstone observed: “Unifying praise underscores Park’s respect.”
What Challenges Lie Ahead for Haçienda Echoes?
Park candidly listed hurdles: securing a lease amid rising rents, vetting applicants fairly, and sustaining post-launch. “We’re realistic—pilot phase first,” he told Cox. Economic pressures, with UK youth services cuts, loom, but Park’s network mitigates. Savage warned: “Sustaining passion projects takes grit,” yet Park’s track record—from mill to mainstage—inspires confidence.
How Can the Public Get Involved?
Crowdfunding launches February 20 at gofundme.com/haciendaechoes. Donations buy gear; £50 sponsors a session. Volunteer DJs welcome; apply via grahamparkdjs.com. Park urged: “Manchester made me—now let’s make futures.” Events include a March 2026 warm-up gig at erstwhile Haçienda site. Craig affirmed: “Community buy-in ensures success.”
