MANCHESTER MUST DANCE. An in conversation with MIKE PICKERING

Sun Nov 15 2026 at 02:00 pm to 03:15 pm UTC+00:00

INNSIDE Manchester | Manchester

Louder Than Words Festival
Publisher/HostLouder Than Words Festival
MANCHESTER MUST DANCE. An in conversation with MIKE PICKERING
Advertisement
MANCHESTER MUST DANCE. An in conversation with MIKE PICKERING - the untold story of a musical pioneer.
About this Event

MANCHESTER MUST DANCE. An in conversation with MIKE PICKERING - the untold story of a musical pioneer.

From Manchester's backstreets to global dancefloors - the untold story of a musical pioneer.

Beginning on the night in November 1963 when his mum took him to see the Beatles live at Manchester's ABC Cinema, Mike Pickering takes the reader through sixty years of clubs, clothes, gigs, record labels, football matches and politics.

Pickering has lived through decades of rapid change in popular music. As an influential DJ he introduced house music into the legendary Haçienda. He signed Happy Mondays and James to Factory Records before working with Kasabian, Gossip and Calvin Harris at Sony. His Mercury Prize-winning, multi-million-selling group M People transformed the music industry's attitude to dance music. As he tells his remarkable story he introduces an array of friends and collaborators, many of whom would become important - and sometimes notorious - figures in music history.

Manchester must dance is a revelatory insider's account that moves from the cramped back streets of 1950s north Manchester on a journey deep into music, the city and the wider world. It features forewords from some of those Pickering inspired: Martin Fry, Johnny Marr, Noel Gallagher and Calvin Harris.


This event will be followed by a dedicated book signing


About the author:

Mike Pickering began his career at Factory Records in the early 1980s as an A&R man. He booked artists at the Haçienda from its opening, where he also DJed. He later co-founded Deconstruction Records, one of the UK's first dance labels. In the 1990s he achieved a new level of success with his band M People, winning two Brits and the Mercury Prize. As A&R at Columbia Records Mike signed Calvin Harris, Kasabian, Gossip and The Ting Tings. Mike continues to DJ today.


Event Photos
Event Photos
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

INNSIDE Manchester, 1 First Street, Manchester, United Kingdom

Tickets

GBP 19.67 to GBP 22.38

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Manchester

The Tumbling Paddies
Sat, 14 Nov at 07:00 pm The Tumbling Paddies

O2 Ritz Manchester

Embrace
Sat, 14 Nov at 07:00 pm Embrace

Manchester Academy

The Rozzers (Tribute to Sting & The Police)
Sat, 14 Nov at 07:00 pm The Rozzers (Tribute to Sting & The Police)

Lions Den Manchester

UK Foo Fighters \/\/ Manchester
Sat, 14 Nov at 07:30 pm UK Foo Fighters // Manchester

Manchester Academy

The Sheepdogs in Manchester
Sat, 14 Nov at 08:00 pm The Sheepdogs in Manchester

Band on the Wall

Gladiators Live Tour
Sun, 15 Nov at 10:00 am Gladiators Live Tour

AO Arena

Miss Americana - A Tribute to Taylor Swift
Sun, 15 Nov at 07:30 pm Miss Americana - A Tribute to Taylor Swift

Bridgewater Hall

Myles Smith at Co-op Live
Sun, 15 Nov Myles Smith at Co-op Live

Co-op Live

Jah Lil
Mon, 16 Nov at 07:00 pm Jah Lil

Manchester Academy 3

Widowspeak
Mon, 16 Nov at 07:30 pm Widowspeak

YES Pink Room

Jamie Hutchinson: Can My Mate Come? He's Sound
Tue, 17 Nov at 06:30 pm Jamie Hutchinson: Can My Mate Come? He's Sound

O2 Apollo Manchester

Eagles of Death Metal
Tue, 17 Nov at 07:00 pm Eagles of Death Metal

Manchester New Century Hall

Manchester is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Manchester Events