For an unassuming neighbourhood bar, Electrik in Chorlton has had more than its fair share of star turns. Thanks to its famous ‘One Deck’ nights, where renowned music fans have free reign to play what they like on a single turntable, it’s caused roadblocks in the past.
Mayor Andy Burnham has pitched up with a bag full of seven-inches, and so have the likes of snooker legend-turned-techno aficionado Steve Davis, Maxine Peake, Irvine Welsh, Mr Scruff, The Specials’ Jerry Dammers, John Simm and Line of Duty's Vicky McClure.
When Dexy's Midnight Runners frontman Kevin Rowland came down, he brought a microphone, sang over the records, and played Deee-Lite's Groove Is In The Heart three - count 'em - times.
And now, after a hiatus brought on by the pandemic, the midweek pandemonium is to return tomorrow night (April 13), with the first ever one deck appearance by The Unabombers, aka Justin Crawford and Luke Cowdrey, who also happen to own the place.
“Electrik has been quite slow getting back to normality after the pandemic,” says promoter Chris Massey. “And we already had a few people in line to come and do the One Deck session before lockdown, so we just thought that it was the right time to bring it back.”
Heading down to the bar in the coming months will be singer Jane Weaver joined by Finders Keepers and Twisted Nerve label boss Andy Votel in May, and Halifax’s own The Orielles in June. Also with dates to be confirmed will be actor Jeff Hordley, aka Cain Dingle from Emmerdale, and Manc legend Terry Christian.
“Jeff was the guest we had in line just before the pandemic,” adds Chris. “It was such a shame, but we had to bin it off in the end. He used to DJ a lot in town, years ago, and he sent me a playlist over of what he was going to play for us, and it was very cool. Reggae, ska, bits of Motown.”
Other potential guests currently in talks include the likes of Stewart Lee, Phill Jupitus, Justin Robertson and even BBC presenter Naga Munchetty. “Pre-pandemic, there was a lot a serious chat about Naga coming down, so hopefully that will come through,” Chris goes on.
The ‘one deck’ session grew out of DJs who would be playing at The Unabombers’ long-running Electric Chair night, beginning with sets from the likes of Ashley Beedle, Don Letts and the late Andrew Weatherall, who would come and play rockabilly records on a Sunday.
“It was always coming from a quirky angle, so it was funny when a crew from Salford all turned up to see Weatherall thinking he’d be playing techno, but it was actually a load of rock and roll and sea shanties!” Chris goes on.
The bar has a raft of other events coming up too, its new Electrik Sundays sessions, featuring the likes of Aficionado, the Magic Island DJs, Sprechen, Devil’s Jukebox and Supernature commandeering the soundtrack.
There are also a number of art exhibitions in the pipeline too, first on April 28 with Manchester-via-Malaga illustrator Tongui, and then in May an exhibition of the work of famed illustrator Tony Husband of Private Eye. Iconic viral meme-creator Cold War Steve will also be among those exhibiting in the bar later this year, with a date to be confirmed.
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