Album and concert to mark Rochdale’s legendary music scene

ICONIC music recorded in Rochdale is being celebrated with a new album featuring re-imagined recordings of some of the classic tracks, and a live concert in March.

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Rochdale boasts a rich and diverse musical legacy, from Gracie Fields to The Courteeners, Lisa Stansfield to Autechre.

Between 19772001 it was home to both Suite Sixteen and Cargo Studios on Kenion Street in the town, where trailblazing artists including OMD, The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Joy Division, Inspiral Carpets, A Certain Ratio, The Fall and many others recorded some of their most memorable work.

Fast forward to 2026 - Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture and lots of local artists, a choir and a brass band have recorded their version of a Cargo or Suite Sixteen classic at Voltalab Studios in Rochdale that will soon be released as a limited-edition vinyl record.