Factory Records

British company

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July 16, 2026

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Factory Records was a British independent record label founded in Manchester in 1978 by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus. It was a significant force in the post-punk and new wave music scenes of the late 1970s and 1980s. The label was known for its distinctive graphic design, largely created by Peter Saville, which gave its releases a unique visual identity.12

Factory Records released music from influential artists such as Joy Division (who later became New Order), Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Durutti Column, and Happy Mondays. New Order's "Blue Monday" became the best-selling 12-inch single in UK history. Tony Wilson, a key figure, also founded the Hacienda nightclub, which became a hub for the city's music and club scene. The label's unconventional business approach, prioritizing artistic vision over profit, ultimately led to its bankruptcy in 1992.12

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Factory Records
Manchester’s 24-Hour Party People
Factory Records emerged in the punk moment of the late 1970s and was the heart of Manchester’s music scene until its collapse in the early 1990s. Like his Mancunian contemporaries, the Buzzcocks, Factory cofounder Anthony H. Wilson (who presided over the influential pop music television…
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Factory Records emerged in the punk moment of the late 1970s and was the heart of Manchester’s music scene until its collapse in the early 1990s. Like his Mancunian contemporaries, the Buzzcocks, Factory cofounder Anthony H. Wilson (who presided over the influential pop music television…
Read More