In this interview, I sit down with Marc Hough, best known as Tin Tin, New Order’s tour DJ, to explore his incredible journey through Manchester’s club and music scenes. I first met Tin Tin in 1989 at Lazy Lils, but his DJ career began in 1987 at Archies and The Venue, where he helped shape the sound of a generation.
Tin Tin reminisces about the mid-80s, a time when indie music ruled the clubs. He describes the “dance floor migration,” where tracks like The Clash would pack the floor, but New Order songs didn’t resonate as strongly—until 1988. With the arrival of House music, everything changed, and suddenly, people danced all night, embracing a new sound and energy.
Pioneering the “Indie Dance” genre, Tin Tin blended indie and dance music in the same set, a concept unheard of at the time. He recalls playing tracks like Primal Scream’s Loaded and noticing its similarity to a white-label B-side by Edie Brickell, something that also caught Andrew Weatherall’s attention.
We dive into the legendary Lazy Lils club in Manchester, its transformation from a quirky venue with a Bucking Bronco to a buzzing nightclub under the management of “Gay Ray.” Tin Tin shares a hilarious tale of being fired by Ray for partying too hard and leaving behind a box of snapped records. From there, he moved on to The Boardwalk, where he co-hosted the iconic Freedom night with Dave Haslam. Their friendly rivalry to discover fresh music fueled the scene and helped make Freedom a landmark event in Manchester nightlife.
As New Order’s tour DJ for 20 years, Tin Tin shares how warming up for bands at The International led to his connection with Barney from New Order. He explains his preference for new Electro music over retro sounds and talks about his remix of The Smiths’ Barbarism Begins at Home, which he performed at New Order’s Wythenshawe Park gig as a heartfelt tribute to his friend Andy Rourke.
Tin Tin also reflects on the importance of Eastern Bloc Records, where he sourced house music imports and received a white-label copy of 808 State’s Pacific State from Andy Barker. He played the track in every set for over 20 years, showcasing its enduring impact.
Finally, Tin Tin opens up about his 20,000-strong vinyl collection, a treasure trove of memories, and names his favorite tracks from Freedom night: LFO’s LFO and Mantronix’s King of the Beats. A true pioneer, Tin Tin’s passion and stories reveal his significant influence on Manchester’s club culture and its enduring legacy.
This interview is a must-watch for anyone who loves music history, club culture, and Manchester’s vibrant past.
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