Tom Wainwright

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Tom Wainwright’ DJ career was almost over before it ever began. On the day in 1991 that he was due to make his first appearance at Manchester’ Hacienda, the infamous venue shut down! Fortunately the club’ closure proved to be only temporary, and upon its re-opening Tom was installed as Saturday night resident alongside the legendary Graeme Park. At the time the Hacienda was Britain’ undisputed number one club – breaks certainly don’t come much bigger, and Tom took full advantage of the opportunity he had been offered, building a formidable reputation throughout the North of England. After five years of great success at the Hacienda, Tom felt that the time was right to move on, and he has since become a popular fixture on the UK’ guest DJ circuit. Nights of note at which Tom has worked include Hard Times, Renaissance, The Gallery, Miss Moneypenny’ and the Southport Weekender.

He played on a regular basis for such clubland luminaries as Gatecrasher, the Ministry of Sound, and Shindig. He traveled further afield, particularly as one of the residents on Gatecrasher’ world tour, have taken him everywhere from Moscow to Melbourne and most places in between. His much in-demand style can perhaps best be described as funky and soulful but tough around the edges. It draws heavily from the traditions of US house, but also uses elements that are distinctly British. A typical Wainwright set might include New York garage, tough, driving tribal rhythms, and warped filtered disco. His variety of influences means he is equally at home warming up in the main room at Gatecrasher as he is playing upstairs in the club’ esteemed Plasma Lounge. Whilst not being averse to making his own music, Tom happily admits that he prefers the “live” situation of DJ-ing in a club to being locked away in a recording studio for weeks at a time. Indeed, Tom is one of that rare breed of DJs who appreciates that there is life beyond music – he’ currently studying for a degree in Politics and French at Manchester Metropolitan University.