Rochdale Music Stories present Kenion Street

As part of the Rochdale Music Stories campaign in 2026, fans of the iconic music recorded at the legendary Cargo Studios and Suite Sixteen are invited to a one-off show this spring, with special guest appearances from members of New Order, The Chameleons and A Certain Ratio.

Rochdale boasts a rich and diverse musical legacy: from Gracie Fields to The Courteeners, Lisa Stansfield to Autechre and where groundbreaking music continues to thrive. And between 1977-2001, it was home to both Suite 16 and Cargo Studios on Kenion Street, Rochdale, where trailblazing artists like OMD, Inspiral Carpets, A Certain Ratio, Fall, Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, and Joy Division - among countless others - recorded some of their best work.

Fast forward to 2026 and Rochdale is Greater Manchester Town of Culture, with the Rochdale Development Agency launching 'Rochdale Music Stories' - an exciting collaboration between The Stockport Music Story and Voltalab Sound Studios. Funded by Arts Council England as part of this innovative project, 14 emerging Rochdale artists have been invited to reimagine classic tracks that were recorded at both Cargo and Suite Sixteen studios, for a new album due for release on a limited- edition vinyl.