An album featuring local artists performing covers of classic tracks originally recorded in Rochdale's historic studios has garnered significant national attention. The album, titled ‘Kenion Street’, has reached millions of listeners on national radio and thousands more on streaming platforms, with one single charting in the UK official charts and receiving numerous positive reviews.
Released this summer as part of Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture, the album showcases local acts reinterpreting seminal songs. Rochdale boasts a rich musical legacy, having been home to Suite Sixteen and Cargo Studios on Kenion Street between 1977 and 2001. During this period, trailblazing artists such as OMD, The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Joy Division, Inspiral Carpets, Autechre, A Certain Ratio, and The Fall recorded some of their most memorable work in the town.
The 11 tracks on ‘Kenion Street’ include PoolEra’s rendition of OMD's 'Electricity', Medley’s reimagining of New Order's 'Dreams Never End', and Jennifer Reid’s version of The Fall's 'Totally Wired'. These new recordings were produced by studio founder Jamie Alsop at Voltalab Sound Studios, located in the original Cargo/Suite Sixteen building.
National media coverage has been extensive, with Radio 6 Music featuring the album, including K-Estate's cover of Gang of Four's 'Damaged Goods'. Tracks were also played across XS Manchester, Mersey Radio, and Phoenix FM, reaching a combined audience of over 3.5 million. The single 'Twenty Four Hour Party People' by Desyfer and Emma Konnanov, a cover of the Happy Mondays anthem, reached number 62 in the official UK singles chart and 58 in the download chart.
Vinyl copies of the album were distributed nationwide, with listening parties held at Rough Trade stores in London, Liverpool, Bristol, and Nottingham. Positive reviews were published by outlets including ‘Louder Than War’ and ‘The List’.
K-Estate, featured on the album, performed on the main stage at this summer’s Rochdale Feel Good Festival, supporting acts like Gabrielle and Ash. The album launch event also saw artists such as PSTARR performing live.
Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for culture and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council, stated: “Everyone involved should be so proud of creating this lasting record of an important part of our borough’s story. Thanks to the album, new audiences have discovered the town’s musical past as well as heard some of our talented acts of today. Music is so important to Rochdale, not just as a part of its history with Gracie Fields in the 1930s and then in the seventies and early eighties but in more recent decades too with the likes of The Courteeners and Lisa Stansfield. In the town where these world-famous artists recorded iconic tracks it’s great to see how groundbreaking music continues to thrive.”
The album was part of the ‘Rochdale Music Stories’ campaign, launched in October 2025 during the town’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture. This initiative, a collaboration with Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency, aims to highlight Rochdale’s influence on British music and promote emerging talent.
Karen Boardman, music development manager at Rochdale Development Agency, added: “I’m incredibly proud of this record which we believe is the UK’s first commercially released album by a council, celebrating a town’s musical history, whilst championing its new talent. It’s been a privilege to work alongside our partners and all the artists to bring the album to life and I’m very excited for the next phase of this project, there’s lots more to come.”
Synth-pop icons Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) recently returned to Rochdale, performing a sold-out show to over 5,000 fans at Rochdale Town Hall Square in August. They were joined by post-punk legends Peter Hook & The Light and Manchester band A Certain Ratio.
The album ‘Kenion Street’ is available on streaming platforms and on vinyl at Rocks Off on Drake Street in Rochdale and other record stores. The ‘Rochdale Music Stories’ project is funded by Arts Council England, Rochdale Borough Council, and Rochdale Development Agency.
