The Cargo Studios book is a history of the music recorded at the studio in Rochdale. The studio opened in late 1977 and closed in early 1985

The Cargo Studios book is a history of the music recorded at the studio in Rochdale. The studio opened in late 1977 and closed in early 1985.

Chris Connelly spent twelve years researching the 360-page hard-back book which features over a thousand pictures and music memorabilia. The book comes housed in a replica tape box.

There’s an introduction from Cargo’s founder and studio engineer John Brierley and a foreword by Peter Hook, who recorded there with Joy Division and New Order and continued the legacy when he later bought the premises.

The aim of the book was to try and include all recordings from the studio, with over 900 people interviewed. A vast array of musical styles and projects are covered such as: Punk, Blues, Cabaret, School projects, Experimental, Electronic and even Supermarket background music!

Cargo Studios is where the seminal ‘Atmosphere’ by Joy Division was recorded and other influential tracks from The Fall, Gang of Four, The Chameleons, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, A Certain Ratio, Echo and the Bunnymen DAF and many more. It was also where David Gedge of the Wedding Present. Lisa Stansfield and Roland Gift first recorded. Bands travelled from Scotland, Bristol, London Liverpool and Germany to record at Cargo.

The book lists the equipment used in the studio and has a section displaying owner John Brierleys’ picture sleeves from the studio which used to be displayed in the studio.

Included are essays by artists who recorded their who expand upon the times, hustling to get gigs, the politics of the day and venues played.

The book has been a is a real labour of love and of interest to music fans of all tastes.

Copies of the book will be available to buy at the Festival and there'll be a dedicated book signing with Chris and Mark after their event.

About the Author:

Chris Connelly is an author and music enthusiast based in Manchester.

During the early 1980s he ran a fanzine with his friend Rob Kerford and they interviewed many punk and post punk bands including, The Fall, Steve Diggle, Undertones, Chameleons, Theatre of Hate, Altered Images, The Passage, Depeche Mode and OMD. Chris also ran a record label in the 1990s releasing singles by The Reegs.

Chris spent twelve years researching the 360-page hard-back Cargo book which features over a thousand pictures and music memorabilia. The book comes housed in a replica tape box. He also designed the book and packaging and self published it, on his Lovingly Compiled Books imprint.

About the Host:

Mark Hoyle has been a central part of the Manchester Underground Music scene since releasing his first record in 1979 at the age of 16, and was a frequent user of Cargo Studios as a teenager.

After a career making records with Vibrant Thigh, Dub Sex, Dumb, Finley Quaye and Heath Common, his memoir, 'Swerve' was published in 2024 to great acclaim by Route Publishing.

Description supplied by the event organiser.