DECADE TO DEVELOP A FOLLOWING

DEVELOPMENT I S CELEBRATING TEN YEARS I N EXISTENCE WITH A PART Y BRINGING I N THEIR FAVOURITE GUEST DJ FROM THE PAST

Development promoters, from left, Mike O’Mara, Chris Feinmann and Tom Lynch

WHAT are the records and clubnights you love the most? The ones you’ve loved for a long time?

Chances are, they’re the ones with the most individual personality, the ones that stick to their guns creatively, without chasing the populist dollar.

It’s for that reason that the odds on anyone remembering, let alone loving, a Clean Bandit or Sam Smith record in 10 years’ time are remote.

It’s nice to be reminded from time to time that having a vision and sticking to it is the best route to sustainable, long-term success, as in the case of Development, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this month.

“It’s really important to be genuine and stick with the music you love and don’t follow trends just to try and get people through the door,” explains the club’s Chris Feinmann.

“It’s best to be playing the music you love to people who love it.

“If you look at all the most successful clubnights, they are built around great residents DJs who consistently deliver, are able to adapt musically, and most importantly are able to warm up the room properly.”

Development was born in 2005, the child of three fresh-faced promoters who wanted to bring the best DJs in the world to Manchester and create a party inspired by the scenes and DJs of Chicago and New York.

“In the present day, we’re a group of middle aged blokes who now have mortgages and a child (Tom) but still have that same desire.

“When we book DJs for Development we always focus on their ability to innovate, such as Larry Heard, Lil’ Louis, Joe Claussell and DJ Spinna.

“We also focused on DJs who took their inspirations and did something contemporary, such as Dixon, Osunlade, Benji B and Jazzanova.”

For the 10th birthday party, the team are bringing back their favourite-ever guest, Ron Trent, and are hoping to put on ‘a party worthy of celebrating a decade of dancing’.

The promoters say they have been blown away by the response to the booking of Trent, who plays his first set in Manchester for seven years.

“He’s held seminal residencies in New York and Chicago and as a result he’s developed the most amazing ability to deliver sets which take you on an expansive musical voyage.”

Development 10th Birthday, August 30, Mint Lounge, Oldham Street. 10pm-4am. £15.