Development begun as a joining of two like-minded parties, Tweak and Under the Stairs – underground basement soirees both pushing deep, soul infused dance music for crowds hungry for a sound Manchester had lost in its recent past. The cooperative came together initially with a series of parties pushing the deep house sound with old and new represented equally. The launch was brought about away from home soil, with a unique one-off party with Body & Soul stalwarts Danny Krivit and Joe Claussell at the legendary Annexe room within Liverpool’s Cream club. Back in Manchester, parties followed with up-and-coming NYC hot-property Alix Alvarez, and subsequently Quentin Harris at the renowned Attic club. 1 railway arch, 1 purpose installed monster sound-system, 2 parties to remember.

Development found a longer term home at The Mint Lounge in 2005, a newly opened former burlesque club in Manchester’s then emerging Northern Quarter. The move gave Development a second room (and a new resident in backroom bandit Mike O’Mara), a bigger dance floor and the ability to go up a gear on the scale of events. Guests at the venue included Paul “Trouble” Anderson, Phil Asher, DJ Deep, Halo, Osunlade, Al Kent, Joe Claussell, Franck Roger, DJ Spinna, Terry Hunter, Ron Trent, Ben Watt, Hippie Torales, Kerri Chandler, Benji B, Danny Krivit, Frankie Feliciano, Larry Heard, Neil Pierce, Aaron Ross, Joey Negro, Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez, Domu and Kelvin Brown with special PA’s from artists like Zansika and Pete Simpson. Plus the friends and guests that brought their talents to our infamous disco wardrobe ( the back room )

Parties went on late. Sometimes hours past closing time. Lights on, smiling faces and happy DJs from all over the world. Manchester debuts for so many, unique experiences and a hangover for most. A party in every sense of the word. Footage from our night with Danny Krivit below, lights on – 5.30am and still going strong.

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Deep house, techno, disco, boogie, funk, latin, broken beat – Development has always been about soul and dancefloor in equal measure; a philisophy heralded by residents Tom Lynch and Chris Feinmann, holding the fort and warming up in their inimitable style throughout the event’s history. The Mint Lounge era ended where it started, with Tom and Chris behind the decks, after bow out parties featuring an unforgettable live show from New Jersey legend Kerri Chandler and goodbye sets from UK boundary-pusher Benji B and Brooklyn’s unrivalled house hero Frankie Feliciano. Time for change.

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Check the video below for a gallery of photo’s from Mint Lounge with the last track we played there running in the background.

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Cue the launch of the new Development Music label and a summer celebration with hot new musical recruit Atjazz, or Martin Iveson to his mam. Roadhouse – hot sweaty basements. Red stripe. Carnage.

Change then came in the form of a Funktion One soundsystem and some seriously flashy lights – Development took up residency at Manchester’s new technology-driven super boutique – Spektrum. Housed above Manchester’s famous Sankeys Soap warehouse club, the venue gave Development a new lease of life, introducing Chicago legend Glenn Underground first of all and followed by the return of old friend and favourite Phil Asher, Danny Krivit, Zed Bias & Jenna G, Deetron, David Morales, Ame, Carl Craig and DJ Spinna, back once again, this time for a set of mind-blowing house and techno. See Carl Craig playing Shades of Jae on the vid below.

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Next came a one-off party alongside Manchester’s fresh young party planners meandyou, with Detroit’s rising star Patrice Scott and Manchester wonderkid Trus’me at the unique Soup Kitchen. More label releases followed, now showcasing a roster including Zed Bias, Jenna G, Phil Asher, Atjazz, Domu, Yannah Valdevit and Development resident Tom Lynch under his Tomson production guise.

After a 4 month hiatus, Development is back. Back under the ground, in a dark room with a smokey atmosphere and a soundsystem that would make your gran cry. Sound Control has arrived and Development returns to take centre stage.

Come join in the fun, we miss you!