The story of Rochdale's recorded-music heritage will be front and centre this summer as a new compilation, titled Kenion Street, is released and promoted with a series of national listening events that celebrate tracks connected to the town.
Album draws on Kenion Street's studio history
Released on the Alcopop Records label, the compilation collects fresh reinterpretations of songs by acts who recorded at studios on Kenion Street in Rochdale between 1977 and 2001. The roster of artists linked to those studios includes household names and influential post‑punk and indie groups, reflecting the town’s longstanding contribution to British music.
Rochdale Hour listening parties
To mark the release, Alcopop is hosting "Rochdale Hour" sessions at four Rough Trade shops on Saturday 8 August at 3pm. The events will let attendees hear the album in full and will feature free beer provided by Heywood’s Phoenix Brewery, along with goody bags promoting Rochdale.
"The album sounds incredible, and you NEED to hear it, so we’re linking up with our good friends at Rough Trade to bring ROCHDALE HOUR... have a couple of beautifully brewed beers from Heywood’s own Phoenix Brewery (on us of course) – and take home a gift bag of lovely Rochdale based things (limited stock)."
Tickets for the listening sessions are free but limited, and are being distributed through Rough Trade's ticketing links.
- What: Kenion Street compilation listening events (Rochdale Hour)
- When: Saturday 8 August, 3pm
- Where: Rough Trade shops in London (East), Bristol, Liverpool and Nottingham
Why Rochdale matters in popular music
Rochdale's recording studios, including Suite 16 and Cargo Studios, were active on Kenion Street and hosted sessions by influential bands. The new compilation and its promotion come as Rochdale is enjoying an elevated cultural profile after being named Greater Manchester Town of Culture for 2025/26 and as part of the Rochdale Development Agency’s broader Rochdale Music Stories programme.
| Event | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rochdale Hour listening party | Rough Trade East (London) | 8 Aug, 3pm |
| Rochdale Hour listening party | Rough Trade Liverpool | 8 Aug, 3pm |
| Rochdale Hour listening party | Rough Trade Nottingham | 8 Aug, 3pm |
| Rochdale Hour listening party | Rough Trade Bristol | 8 Aug, 3pm |
The limited-edition orange vinyl of the album is due to be released on 7 August. For Rochdale residents and visitors, the project offers both a reminder of the town’s past role in the recording industry and fresh material that ties that history to current creative activity.
Information on tickets and the album release is being handled via Rough Trade and Alcopop Records’ channels.
