Rochdale boasts a rich and diverse musical legacy; from Gracie Fields to The Courteeners, Lisa Stansfield to Autechre. It’s also the town where Joy Division recorded their seminal track Atmosphere, and where ground-breaking music continues to thrive.
Now, as part of Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture, Rochdale Development Agency has launched ‘Rochdale Music Stories’ a new collaboration with Voltalab Sound Studios and John and Rosemary Barratt from The Stockport Music Story. The project is designed to celebrate the borough’s musical heritage through a studio-recorded compilation album featuring local artists reinterpreting and reimagining tracks that were recorded at Cargo Studios and Suite 16.
The limited-edition high-quality vinyl featuring the reworkings will be released together with a live showcase event at Champness Hall on Saturday 14 March 2026 where the tracks will be performed.
The project aims to honour Rochdale’s musical legacy while spotlighting the energy and diversity of its current music scene.
| ARTIST | ORIGINAL ARTIST | TRACK |
| Blvckout | A Certain Ratio | All Night Party |
| Desyfer & Emma Konnanov | Happy Mondays | Twenty Four Hour Party People |
| From The Ground Up | The Stone Roses | Elephant Stone |
| Jennifer Reid Ft: Bloom Music Community |
The Fall | Totally Wired |
| K-Estate | Gang of Four | Damaged Goods |
| Leo HC | The Chameleons | Up The Down Escalator |
| Medley | New Order | Dreams Never End |
| Mercy Kelly | Inspiral Carpets | Keep The Circle Around |
| Micah Stalgic Ft: Local Vocals |
Joy Division | Atmosphere |
| PoolEra | OMD | Electricity |
