A Guy Called Gerald - the man behind Hacienda anthem Voodoo Ray - will play an intimate live set at Manchester's Eastern Bloc Records.

The Moss Side born musician was once a regular customer at Eastern Bloc's former site on Oldham Street, and was briefly a member of electro house group 808 State - whose founder member, Martin Price, co-owned the specialist vinyl store.

On Saturday, July 2, the Manc lad heads back to the shop - which is now based on Stevenson Square - for a live DJ set at 6pm, before getting behind the decks over to the Albert Hall for the latest Fac51 The Hacienda takeover alongside Derrick May, Justin Robertson, and Jon Dasilva.

His appearances also coincide with the Hacienda Classical headline show at Castlefield Bowl as part of the Sounds Of The City season of gigs.

Gerald's acid house classic Voodoo Ray was written with the Hacienda in mind and famously given its first play by resident DJ Mike Pickering off a tape that Gerald brought in.

Speaking about his memories of the club and writing the record, Gerald said: "The Hacienda was like the first big warehouse place that I’d been into.

"I just felt that if I could make a sound that could fit into a big hall then that would be excellent for a club. I thought that was what the club sound should be like."

After his 1988 breakthrough single, Gerald went on to set up record label Juice Box and kick off the jungle movement, work with the likes of Goldie, Finlay Quaye and David Bowie as a producer, collaborator and remixer, and record more than 10 solo albums.

Entry to the Eastern Bloc set is free - no booking required, but capacity inside the cafe and shop is limited - while tickets for Fac51 The Hacienda at the Albert Hall are still available, priced £25 standard entry and £60 VIP.

[Author: Sarah Walters]