Video
Buckley
Dry Bar, The Hacienda
2025

In this interview, legendary DJ Buckley shares his incredible journey from Leeds to becoming a key figure in the UK club scene. He reveals how he got his first gig at The Hacienda in 1991 when Graeme Park asked him to fill in for Tom Wainwright, who was away on holiday. At the time, Buckley wasn’t playing anywhere regularly, but he had built friendships with Graeme Park and Mike Pickering after moving to Manchester. Living with their driver, Cass, also helped—since both DJs would come back to his flat after their sets and hear him play records. After his first few appearances at The Hacienda, Buckley became a regular following the club’s 11th birthday party—which also happened to be his 22nd birthday.

Buckley discusses the changes in the Hacienda lineup after Mike Pickering left, leading to Russ Marland taking over his slot and Buckley stepping into Russ’ slot. However, it was an uncertain time, and eventually, both Buckley and Russ were sacked without explanation. He recalls getting a call from Paul Mason for what he thought was an exciting career opportunity—only to be let go instead. Tim Lennox and Alastair Whitehead took over, and the club was packed again, but Buckley was later asked to return. From 1993 to 1995, he played at The Hacienda, went on tour with them, and performed at Ministry of Sound, Cream, Birmingham, Dry Bar, and the Hacienda’s Gay Traitor bar.

Buckley also shares his first experience at The Hacienda in 1989, when he took LSD before ever trying Ecstasy. He describes arriving at the club with friends from Leeds, knowing little about it, and being blown away by the energy, fashion, and music. Soon after, a friend told him he needed to take Ecstasy to truly understand the Hacienda experience. The first time he tried E, it changed his life forever.

He also gives insight into the 1990 Ecstasy drought, explaining how the UK drug scene changed after that period. Before the drought, pills were scarce and varied in batches. But after May 1990, a new wave of “brown biscuit” pills appeared, signaling a shift in the market. Buckley and his unnamed partner became major players in the scene, supplying clubs across Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, and Birmingham. He even coined the name “New Yorkers” for one of the most famous pills of the era.

Beyond the Hacienda, Buckley was one of the original resident DJs at Renaissance. He talks about meeting Sasha in Leeds in 1989 and being there when John Digweed took his first Ecstasy pill at Renaissance. He recalls how Sasha brought back a tape from Digweed’s “Bedrock” night, which led to Renaissance changing its music policy and eventually pairing Sasha and Digweed as a DJ duo.

From his wildest nights to unexpected sackings, Buckley’s first-hand stories capture the golden era of UK club culture.

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