Rochdale Town Hall, the £20 million heritage jewel in the council’s crown and frequent haunt of disoriented tourists looking for Manchester, is about to get a glowstick makeover. This Sunday, the Grade I-listed monument to Victorian excess will swap civic dignity for drum and bass, as toddlers and their weary guardians and grandparents aged no older than 36, will descend upon the Great Hall for a family rave.
The event, hosted by Big Fish Little Fish Raves, a collective that seems to have asked, “What if we raised a generation of clubbers who pre-drink with Capri Sun?”, promises “fun lighting effects”, “live DJ sets” and presumably a lot of confused pensioners who just came in to renew their bus passes.
Cllr Sue Smith, who may or may not have lost a bet, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for families to experience the town hall in a completely new way,” before muttering something about hoping the parquet flooring survives the conga line of hyperactive six-year-olds and dads reliving their Creamfields glory days.
Critics have noted that nothing says “historic preservation” quite like a three-year-old tripping over a smoke machine cable while holding a biodegradable glitter wand. Local purists worry the rave could awaken the ghosts of long-deceased mayors, who’ll be horrified to find the council chamber now smells faintly of Haribo and sweat.
To ensure balance, the event also includes a chill-out zone, craft stations and, if previous raves are anything to go by, a corner where bewildered grandparents ask if there’s a tea urn.
Tickets are expected to sell out faster than a decent pint in Rochdale town centre, with organisers hoping the event will “bring the community together”, or at least tire the children out enough for bedtime to happen before Antiques Roadshow.
Future events hinted at include “Silent Disco Planning Meetings”, “Laser Tag Local Elections” and “Council Tax Techno Tuesdays”.
Tickets available online, provided you can still type after being blinded by strobe lighting in a civic building.
