1989 in British Music

The Story of 1989

Madchester was the only story that mattered. The Stone Roses released their self-titled debut album in May – 'I Wanna Be Adored', 'She Bangs the Drums', 'Fools Gold', 'Waterfall' – an album that made guitar music danceable and cool again. Happy Mondays released 'Madchester Rave On EP' and 'Hallelujah', their chaotic drug-fueled sound defining the era. The Haçienda was the epicentre, and the baggy look – flared jeans, bucket hats, smiley faces – was the uniform. The Charlatans formed, the Inspiral Carpets were part of the scene, and the whole Madchester branding was driven by Tony Wilson's Factory Records. But the year wasn't just about Manchester. Soul II Soul's 'Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)' and 'Keep On Movin'' were massive, Jazzie B's British soul collective defining a different kind of cool. De La Soul's '3 Feet High and Rising' brought alternative hip-hop. The rave scene was being targeted by police, and the Criminal Justice Bill was being drafted to clamp down on illegal parties. British music was polarised between the indie-dance revolution and establishment panic.