House music fans are being invited to celebrate the Isle of Man’s dance music scene at a Halloween party featuring former X Factor star and Happy Mondays singer Rowetta.

The event, at the Conister Arms Wetherspoon pub, will bring together Rowetta and 10 DJs across two floors, with music ranging from classic house anthems to contemporary tracks.

Organised by Neal Clague, known as the ‘Godfather of Manx House’, the fancy-dress event for over-18s aims to showcase local talent and celebrate those who helped establish the island’s house music scene.

Neal discovered house music after moving to Brighton aged 17, visiting clubs including The App Club and Savannah, where he heard DJs such as Carl Cox, Fabio and Grooverider.

Returning to the island in the late 1980s, he believed there was an opportunity to introduce club nights devoted entirely to house music.

He began collecting records before giving resident DJ Peter Dunn at Little Caesars a bag of tracks. Within a month, Neal was DJing throughout the night, from 11pm until 3am.

Looking back, he said: ‘That was it then. A lifetime of loving and playing House Music.’

His passion later took him behind the decks in Toronto, Ibiza, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham.

The Halloween and Hop Tu Naa celebration emerged from a conversation with fellow DJ Phil Quirk, with both keen to unite established performers and emerging talent.

Neal said: ‘We decided we wanted to showcase the cream of Manx House DJs from the past, present and include the future stars too.’

The line-up includes GID, Alan Stacey, Ninja Fingers, PQ, Mo Beats, Audiowok, GOMH, Dan and Cal Davies, alongside other Volume DJs.

Rowetta finished fourth in the first series of The X Factor in 2004 and is also known for her work with Happy Mondays and artists across the dance music scene.

The singer has visited the island just once before, travelling over to see the band James perform. She met Neal the following day and was subsequently invited back to sing.

Recalling her reaction, she said: ‘I said that would be a dream for Halloween, “Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes please”, I’m coming for Halloween and I cannot wait.’

Fans can expect house music favourites, with Rowetta planning to perform classics, mashups and new arrangements.

She added: ‘I love a crowd to sing with me and of course dance’

For Neal, the event is about more than entertainment. He wants to recognise the DJs who helped establish and develop house music on the island.

He said: ‘Musically it will be a fabulous journey full of classics, old and new, played by the actual DJs who grew the scene out of love not money.’

Fancy dress is encouraged, with music across two floors bringing together different generations of house music fans for a celebration of the island’s contribution to the genre.

Tickets are available at https://www.ticketor.com/lethereberoses/tickets/a-retrospective-of-manx-house-music-367732 or by contacting Neal on 07624 201717.