eastern bloc

eastern bloc operates as a Manchester event promoter alongside the record shop Eastern Bloc Records, at 5a Stevenson Square in the Northern Quarter. John Berry and Martin Price were among the shop’s founders when it opened in 1985, with Michael Powers and Paul Eiland also involved. Its first premises occupied an upper floor of Affleck’s Palace, and the shop initially concentrated on indie music. House and techno became its focus later in the 1980s. Martin Price went on to form 808 State with Graham Massey and Gerald Simpson.

Following its 2011 move to Stevenson Square, Eastern Bloc Records also hosted club nights and live electronic performances. The promoter’s events have covered styles including techno, electro, acid, house and disco, with recurring formats called SURGE and Live Sessions. Live performances have taken place in a room holding 80 people. The shop supplied imported dance records to DJs without the exclusivity some competitors used, and it licensed European dance music, including releases by Black Box. Its premises also include a café and bar.

Resident DJs at the shop have included Kerrie and Jim Bane. In 2025, eastern bloc marked the shop’s 40th anniversary through a programme spread across several days, with Graham Massey and Mr Scruff among the artists. Ben Marsden was organising events for Eastern Bloc that year.