Few individuals have shaped Manchester’s identity quite like Sacha Lord. From transforming a forgotten air raid shelter into one of the world’s most influential club nights to creating Europe’s largest metropolitan festival, his vision has cemented Manchester as a global powerhouse for music and nightlife. More than a promoter, Sacha Lord has been a driving force in the survival, evolution, and political recognition of the UK’s night-time economy.
The Warehouse Project changed everything. When Sacha Lord co-founded the club night in 2006, he turned an underground venue into a cultural institution—bringing the biggest names in electronic music to Manchester and redefining the way the city partied. Then came Parklife. What started as a small festival in Platt Fields Park has grown into a festival giant, drawing over 80,000 music lovers each year to Heaton Park and generating millions for the local economy. Through both events, Manchester didn’t just host music—it became the beating heart of it.
His influence extends far beyond the dancefloor. In 2018, Mayor Andy Burnham appointed Sacha Lord as Greater Manchester’s first-ever Night Time Economy Adviser, giving bars, clubs, and hospitality businesses a voice at the highest level. When the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to decimate the industry, he refused to stay silent—taking the government to court over unfair restrictions, securing funding for struggling venues, and proving that nightlife was not just entertainment but a vital part of the economy.
Unapologetically outspoken, Sacha Lord has never been afraid to challenge power. In January 2025, he stepped down from his role as Night Time Economy Adviser, shifting his focus to national reform—campaigning for better industry support, championing independent businesses, and holding policymakers accountable for the future of nightlife. His work has ensured that Manchester remains a 24-hour city where creativity, music, and culture thrive.
In April 2024, Sacha Lord released Tales From the Dancefloor, a Sunday Times Best Seller that lifts the curtain on the highs, the chaos, and the behind-the-scenes battles that shaped his career. More than a memoir, the book captures the energy, resilience, and revolution of Manchester’s night-time scene, a culture he helped build and continues to fight for.
Manchester has always been a city that moves to its own rhythm—Sacha Lord made sure the world was listening. From The Warehouse Project to Parklife, from political activism to policy reform, his legacy is written in every club, festival, and venue that keeps Manchester dancing long into the night.
About Frameworthy
Frameworthy is an uplifting and powerful exhibition series celebrating those making the greatest difference—changemakers—through art. Held throughout the UK and further afield in iconic arts-related and cultural venues, Frameworthy exhibitions and art shows are unique and inspiring occasions where changemakers from all backgrounds come together, mingling in front of art that honours them, alongside dignitaries, the press, and fellow changemakers.
Through powerful storytelling, breathtaking art, and unforgettable exhibitions, Frameworthy celebrates impact, community, and the beauty of cultural spaces. Each portrait is created at no cost to the changemaker, ensuring that those shaping our world are recognised in the timeless medium of art.
More than just an exhibition, Frameworthy is a joyful, diverse, and meaningful celebration—where changemakers, remarkable venues, and the communities they serve are honoured and uplifted.
Discover more about Frameworthy’s exhibitions and the people we celebrate here.
