On a wet but deceptively warm Wednesday evening in Manchester, those heading to Ancoats to seek some solace from the rain might have found themselves stepping into one of the greatest musical moments to happen in the city-region’s history.
Forget The Sex Pistols’ show at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in 1976 or trading moves on the Hacienda’s dancefloor during the height of the Madchester scene, being at Ramona on the night of August 3, 2022 will now forever be known as the moment music well and truly came back to Manchester.
For it was the night Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham - or DJ Bambi Burnham as we will now affectionately call him - spun the decks at the popular Swan Street venue with a playlist crammed full of some of his favourite tunes from Manchester’s musical past and present.
READ MORE: The quirky moment man held an impromptu Northern Quarter concert
Ahead of the DJ session, Ramona promised the night would be full of ‘lots of New Order, Manchester classics and 90s summer Jams’ and, well, DJ Burnham certainly lived up to that promise.
The night kicked off with the grooves of Badly Drawn Boy’s Tony Wilson Said, a tribute to the city-region and the ‘Mr Manchester’ icon, before mixing into hits from 808 State, New Order, Richard Ashcroft and Doves.
Bosses at Ramona said the decision to let Burnham take over the decks was a no-brainer, having been a regular patron at the restaurant and bar over the years. The Mayor's tried-and-tested DJ past already includes spinning tunes at Chorlton's Elecktric bar and even a special appearance during The Warehouse Project's United We Stream event.
Last night's DJ set, which was also broadcast on Mixcloud, seems to have gone down a hit with those in attendance too.
Taking to Twitter, @AndyTheWineGuy posted: “Andy Burnham playing a DJ set tonight. Love it.” Meanwhile @reeccephilip said: “I’m out having dinner and (the) Andy Burnham is the dj. I love Manchester.”
@scarlettibis95 wrote: "Top night Andy. The best New Order selection, especially Bizarre Love Triangle and Vanishing Point."
The playlist for the night remained firmly about paying homage to Manchester territory, with the likes of The Courteneers, Aitch, The Fall and The Lathums all getting a spin. Unfortunately, crowds expecting the classics from M People, Cleopatra, N-Trance and The Ting Tings were left disappointed. It's something which feels somewhat unforgiveable really, but we'll let it slide just this one time.
The evening also featured a special appearance from Wigan MP Lisa Nandy, who was seen on the DJ stand alongside the Mayor. Tweeting a picture of the pair, journalist Jen Williams wrote: “I seem to be watching Andy Burnham DJing with Lisa Nandy.”
Reacting to DJ Burnham's set, some people couldn’t help but take the opportunity for a cheeky quip at the mayor's move. Hacienda DJ Dave Haslam tweeted: “DJ trade union not impressed; @AndyBurnhamGM & @lisanandy taking jobs from our hard(ish) working colleagues.”
@sophieannhow posted: “At Andy Burnham’s DJ set and he just said “Here’s a bit of New Order everyone!” What did we expect really.”
Meanwhile, some others even brazenly suggested he 'put the vinyl and margaritas down' and continued with his duties as Manchester's Mayor instead.
The musical spectacular also included a special tribute to Happy Mondays member Paul Ryder, who passed away last month. Mr Burnham tweeted: “Tart Tart by Happy Mondays in there as a tribute to Paul Ryder.
"Someone who played a big part in the building of the Manchester scene. We’re all in his debt. Love to Shaun and all the Ryder family. Thanks Paul and RIP."
DJ Burnham’s set list ended with a two-punch of Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart and Johnny Marr's Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want, but Nandy and the crowd couldn't resist pushing for an impromptu encore from the Mayor.
Crowds were treated to a late addition of TLC’s No Scrubs - a decidedly left-field but utterly brilliant choice which felt only right considering that the very same description could apply to the night itself. DJ Burnham, you are free to use 'decidedly left-field but utterly brilliant' as a quote on your next flyer if you so wish.
Sharing the evening’s playlist after the gig, Mr Burnham tweeted his appreciation for the opportunity and thanked those who attended. He posted: “Thanks so much for coming to Ramona tonight everyone. It was special.
He added: “Manchester all the way.”
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