Havok – The Club
Absolute Havok began thirty years ago as the brainchild of resident DJ Medicine Man, who was soon joined on the promotional side by Mick Beatle. Inspired by rave events such as Megadog and The Herbal Tea Party, the two sought to create something with a slightly harder edge, and thus, Havok was born. After a one-off event at Equinox, Havok moved to the now-defunct Phoenix Club on Oxford Road, which would become its physical and spiritual home for over eight years…
The club was renowned for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, exuding a free-spirited vibe that invited everyone through its doors, from trendy clubbers to crusty ravers. Infamous for its iconic flyers showcasing various interpretations of the smiley acid face, the club regularly hosted DJs such as the Liberators, Lab 4, D.A.V.E. the Drummer, Zebedee, Lawrie Immersion, and Gizelle, to name just a few. In addition to the guest DJs and live acts, Medicine Man and Beatle rocked the dance floor each night with an eclectic mix of hard trance, techno, and banging acid. Equally important was the club’s second room, which featured an alternative blend of beats, breaks, drum ‘n’ bass, and all things funky.
Havok – The Record Label
After two years of running Havok and playing other people’s music, Medicine Man and Beatle decided to go for broke and launched Havok Records primarily to showcase the talents of local producers Harry Walker and Alan Woodburn. They released their first E.P. toward the end of 1997. Renowned for its black and yellow aesthetic and distinctive smiley face design, the label’s visual identity mirrored the boldness of its music.
Havok Records still holds a significant place in the UK underground techno scene and is known for its high-energy techno productions, characterised by rapid BPMs, intense acid lines, and industrial percussion – the have welcomed releases by Chris Liberator, The A&E Dept, Mark Tyler, Guy Geezer, Acid Ted, Darc Marc and Lab 4. Additionally, the label ventured into trance, breakbeat, and minimal techno, demonstrating a willingness to explore and innovate within other forms of electronic dance music.
Havok – The End
The popularity of both the club and the label highlights their influence and the enduring appeal of their sound within the underground techno community. To sustain this legacy, Havok hosts annual reunion events at Rebellion in Manchester on the eve of their birthday. These gatherings feature long-time residents Beatle and Medicine Man spinning classic acid, techno, and trance tracks alongside newer material. The events are inclusive, welcoming both newcomers and long-time Havok attendees, and it is the energy of these individuals that inspires Medicine Man and Mick Beatle to continue…as the have said frequently across the years :-
‘Without the Havok Heads, the club would be nothing.’
The next event will take place in May 2026, celebrating 30 years as Manchester’s longest-running techno night. However, this will also be the final event—Havok’s Last Stand—Let’s go out with a bang, shall we?
