A time-bending perspective on Manchester's club culture from the mind behind the city's seminal acid techno party, Havok.
Mick Beatle, the architect of Manchester’s long-running Havok acid techno sessions, has moved from the DJ booth to the page. His debut novel, 'Gigging', is the first installment of a planned trilogy exploring the emotional and cultural weight of the 1990s North West scene.
The narrative follows Oscar, a disillusioned raver who gains the ability to time-travel to legendary musical landmarks. Beatle uses this sci-fi hook to dismantle the mythology of the era, specifically targeting the inflated legends surrounding events like the Sex Pistols' 1976 Free Trade Hall show.
The release coincides with the sunsetting of Havok, which wrapped a three-decade run in 2024. Beatle aims to capture Manchester's pre-millennium shift—a period he describes as both euphoric and messy—without the polished nostalgia usually found in retrospectives.
'Gigging' is currently available via independent channels, with two sequels slated for release through 2027. It serves as a gritty companion piece to Manchester’s evolving legacy, joining recent headlines like DJ Paulette’s youth initiatives and Sankeys’ new licensing wins.