C89 is a 3CD indie-pop compilation box set released in July 2018. Serving as a chronological sequel to the iconic C86 tape legacy, this 58-track collection documents the vibrant UK underground independent music scene of 1989. The release captures a pivotal transitional period in British guitar music, showcasing a diverse mix of jangle pop, early shoegaze, twee, and nascent Madchester sounds. The physical edition is packaged in a deluxe clamshell box, complete with a comprehensive booklet containing 8,000 words of detailed, band-by-band biographies written by original C86 co-compiler Neil Taylor.
The compilation is uniquely structured across three themed discs to provide a thorough overview of the era. Disc one focuses on emerging artists making their debut in the "C" series, featuring tracks from bands like The La's, The Telescopes, and The Family Cat. Disc two collects subsequent singles and deeper cuts from established acts previously highlighted in the C86, C87, or C88 box sets, including The Stone Roses, The Mock Turtles, and The Pooh Sticks. The final disc highlights cult favorites and rarer selections from definitive independent labels of the time, such as Sarah Records and Creation, cementing the box set as an essential historical archive for fans of alternative music.
