This architect model of the Academy building was unveiled in late 1989/early 1990. You really get a sense of scale and physical design of the building exterior. Note that the Academy was unnamed at this stage so the word Owens, possibly representing the University's Owens Park halls of residence, has been used for branding guidance.

In 1851 Owens College opened in a house on Quay Street in central Manchester. It was named afterJohn Owens, an unmarried Manchester merchant and industrialist who had died in 1846. He left most of his fortune to provide "to youths of the age of 14 and upwards instruction in the branches of education taught at English universities, free from religious tests".

The Students' Union, Oxford Road, was sometime referred to as Owens Union, differentiating from the Tech Union.

A quick look on Google Maps shows that the only difference today is the removal of the grassy square and cylinder shaped advertising boards just outside the main entrance by Oxford Road.

Backstage pass for My Bloody Valentine gig at Manchester University on 10th of February 1989.

This same month MBV began recording their second album, 'Loveless'. Alan McGee of Creation Records had originally believed it would take a mere 5 days to complete, but the recording process proved to be a tortuous affair and the album didn't come out until 1991. 'Loveless' was rumoured to have cost £250,000, which (allegedly) bankrupted Creation.

Courtesy of Kevin Cummins.

Ticket for Sonic Youth and Mudhoney.

Story by Rae:

The main thing I remember about this gig is thinking that Sonic Youth obviously weren't afraid of picking a support band that would blow them offstage.

Mudhoney were great that night, although in the long run were a more musically limited band than Sonic Youth, I think.

Story by Tony:

I'm guessing 89 for this as the year the album came out. Possibly earlier?

I loved KotS, great song titles, great lyrics, quintessentially Northern, gloriously out of step with everything else around at the time and that dirty violin sound! Like sawing a cat in half - only good! (8 out of 10 cats prefer not to be sawn in half.)

I remember failing to get into the Boardwalk for a KotS show being filmed for BBC2s excellent SnubTV music slot. (Who else was on?)

Rather lovely ticket for Asia Fields with Martin Coogan's Mock Turtles at the Hop and Grape (Academy 3).

It's 1990. The rave/Madchester scenes are being reflected in club nights both at the Academy and Umist.

DJs for this night were Scotty & Si .

'Smoke, smoke and more smoke... lots of bass.'

This feature pre-dates the use of the Academy as a live music venue and offers an insight in how the new venture will benefit the operation of the Union.

Taken from the Mancunion newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at University of Manchester Students' Union.

This report from the eve of the Academy Launch includes a great insight to a deal between booker Sean Morgan and SJM Concerts to give the venue first option in concert dates from local artists and visiting bands, a decision that worked brilliantly for both parties. A quick glance at the band names in the monthly listings confirms the success of the partnership.

Taken from the Mancunion newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at University of Manchester Students' Union.

Flyer for a 1990 Tuesday student night at the Academy with Dave Booth. The Academy was, at this point, looking over to what the Hacienda had achieved and seeing if they could replicate it.

A selection of backstage from the late 80s-early 90s, added by Mark Hatch.

Taken from City Life.

John Robb describes Sanity Plexus here as 'Rusholme whinge duo or smart pop team'. Both monikers are arguably better than Sanity Plexus.

Courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information & Archives. You can make an appointment to see this the City Life collection by emailing: archiveslocalstudies@manchester.gov.uk

Taken from City Life.

Nice little write-up of the Charlatans' first gig at the University by John Robb. Tim Burgess is described as 'a swiftly nailed to the wall pin-up'.

Courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information & Archives. You can make an appointment to see this the City Life collection by emailing: archiveslocalstudies@manchester.gov.uk

Story by Tony:

Bradford were one of several bands upon whom Morrissey has famously bestowed his favour - with varying levels of success.

Their single "Skin Storm" was covered by Moz as the B-side of "Pregant for the Last Time."

I'm, guessing this gig was around the time of their album release which was.... 1990 - I'm suprised to find.

Taken from City Life.

Penny Anderson hits the nail on the head with her enthusiastic little editorial on Wire, 'heavier, nastier and even funkier than before.'

Courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information & Archives. You can make an appointment to see this the City Life collection by emailing: archiveslocalstudies@manchester.gov.uk

Review of The Buzzcocks on the official opening show of the Academy on 1990.

Taken from the Mancunion newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at University of Manchester Students' Union.

Full page advert announcing the launch of Manchester Academy boasting a program of events that is 'bigger and better than ever before'.

As well as live music the Union ran club nights five nights a week between the the Academy and Cellar (now Club Academy).

Tuesday - UPFRONT with Dave Booth - Academy
Wednesday - LOADED with MC Beast - Cellar
Thursday - Seventies night - Cellar
Friday - KLASS with DJ Auss - Academy
Saturday - BOOGIE OOGIE - Cellar

Taken from the Mancunion newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at University of Manchester Students' Union.

Press advertisements placed in the Manchester Evening News featuring the opening line up of artists scheduled to play the Academy in 1990. The lists are annotated with the total number of gigs per advert and the amount of money paid to run each one.

With thanks to Sean Fintan Morgan

Gig ladder number two lists the first ever artists to step foot on the Academy stage. The comic genius of Vic and Bob's Big Night Out was a popular draw with students and demand for tickets saw them swapping venues with Devo - upgrading from the Main Debating Hall to the Academy.

Story by Dubwise-er:

This was the last gig I went to before departing Old Blighty for foreign shores and although it's not strictly musical, Vic did have a song in the charts with The Wonderstuff a bit later on (loved his "I Remember Punk Rock" tribute song). I think the Academy was newly opened and it was a good, and indeed a big night out.

Gig ladder number 4 with plenty of local talent on display: The Charlatans with two sold out nights, plus New FADs, Northside and The Man From Delmonte.

An advert for SJM concerts, which gives a sense of the lay of the land venues-wise at this point very early on in the life of Manchester Academy.

Simon James Moran (SJM) was a good friend of Academy booker/manager Sean Morgan in the late 80s and early 90s. Many SJM gigs went to the Academy/University venues.

In 2011, The Guardian named Simon Moran as No 9 in the Music Power 100. In the same year he was listed in the Evening Standard’s listing of London's 1000 most influential people in the Pop & Rock category.

Following on from their March gig at the Main Debating Hall in March, The Charlatans arrived at the Academy for two sold out shows in October 1990 on the same week that their debut album, Some Friendly, entered UK album chart in the Number One position. The band and audience must have been buzzing from this news.

The review says that Tim was sporting a new hairdo and they kicked off the set with the double blast of 'The Only One I Know' and 'You're Not Very Well'.

Taken from the Mancunion newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at University of Manchester Students' Union.

This full page advert focuses on the popular club nights at the time, Upfront and Klass in the Academy plus Boogie Oogie and 70s in The Cellar now Club Academy. I didn't attend any of these events but from accounts of people who did they were consistently popular parties.

The advert mentions a new club night called Black Rhythms with Simply Red's Mick Hucknall as guest DJ.

Check out each club's Top 10 charts!

Taken from the Mancunion newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at University of Manchester Students' Union.