Heralded as bringing the now vibrant gay scene to Manchester in the late 80s and early 90’s, DJ and promoter Paul Cons’ FLESH club night, originally at the infamous Hacienda, returns this month after an absence of over 20 years. “I’ve been asked many times to bring FLESH back, and I just thought, if not now, when?” says Cons.
FLESH originally began as Gay Monday, but at the time, around 1985, the city had a relatively intolerant attitude to gay culture and with the night managing to pull in an average audience of around 50 people, it lasted only 6 months. While it wasn’t hugely popular Cons’ kept on at Hacienda manager Tony Wilson to try again, excited by his Hacienda funded ‘cultural inspiration’ trips to New York, where he hung out with nightclub luminaries Micheal Alig and Larry Tee at Paradise Garage and The Tunnel.
In 1991, when the Hacienda was struggling with its reputation for drugs and gangs, Cons’ decided to approach Wilson with a new idea. “I remember having a conversation with Tony and telling him we should do a fuck off fabulous gay night at the Hacienda to change the whole scally vibe that had engulfed the club. I told him Manchester gangsters would be too scared to come to a gay night!” he says.
FLESH came at the perfect time with Manchester’s gays ready and waiting for something they could really get stuck into. From day one the club was packed with a super dressed up and hedonistic crowd. It pulled in pretty much everyone from the scene including coach loads of Wolverhampton drag queens, naked guys, someone called Nicky Cellotape Tits, the Pet Shop Boys, Robbie Williams in his early Take That days, a young William Baker, Matthew Williamson and even Ryan Giggs. “Unlike in London, where nights like this may be taken for granted, people used to spend weeks preparing their looks. All the designer shops would be mobbed, the hairdressers super busy. Designers of choice were John Richmond, Vivienne Westwood, Nick Coleman or Red or Dead, and generally people showed as much flesh as possible. Feather boa’s were in, before they were naff!” says Cons.
The night revitalized the Hacienda and became known for its debauched parties. Showers were installed in the club and subsequent dripping wet and writhing clubbers became a usual site. Performances were a staple of FLESH. One particular show from legend Leigh Bowery included him giving simulated birth live on stage; “with shed loads of fake blood and gore bringing 1,000 sweaty topless men and women down off their E’s”.
With the gay scene today fully established, commercial and crossing over into the mainstream, Cons sees restarting FLESH as a chance to bring back a bit of the edge that it was once known for, outside of what’s happening in London. “It’s a good time to look back and celebrate, but I also think we need to look to the future and what comes next. I’d love the night to be a kind of queer re-boot, a night of memories, passion and excitement that hopefully will inspire who knows what? For me this isn’t about nostalgia - it feels necessary,” he says.
FLESH, Bank Holiday Sunday, the 29th August at FAC 251 The Factory, Manchester 10pm – late
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