Homobloc, Manchester’s legendary queer rave for all, returns this November with another day-to-night party featuring a star-studded line-up of DJs and performers.
Reuniting the clans once again, on 4 November Homobloc is set to welcome artists, performers, spectators, and clubbers to come together and present one of the most extraordinary dancefloor coalitions of the LGBTQ+ community.
Featuring a roster of heavyweight live acts, headliners this year will include the 2023 Mercury Prize nominated artist Jessie Ware, Australian indie electro-pop band Confidence Man, and Canadian electroclash producer, Peaches.
Further headline DJ sets include performances from The Blessed Madonna, Romy, David Morales, Avalon Emerson, Horse Meat Disco, LSDXOXO, salute, SHERELLE and many, MANY more.
Credit: Homobloc 2023
The programming is a joint effort by many, including LGBTQ+ collectives from Manchester and beyond.
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The collectives and curation include work by Ghetto Fabulous, Creatures by Beau Azra, Miss Chief by Banksie and Strutty Bitch, who have been part of the Homobloc family since day one, as well as new collectives The Cavalcade and Drag Kings Of Manc.
Homobloc will take over the full expanse of Depot Mayfield, including the three main stages (Depot, Concourse, Archive), as well as expanding across to Temperance Street and into the historic Star & Garter pub.
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As if that wasn’t enough, this year it will also grow upwards as queer club icons Horse Meat Disco takes over the rooftop with a cinema screening, acoustic performances, pop-up shops, in-session podcasts, talks and more.
You can see the full lineup down below and, boy, what a treat you’re in for:
Rod Connolly, Promoter from Homobloc, said in a statement following the announcement of this year’s event: “It’s with great pleasure we unveil the most adventurous Homobloc line-up to date.
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“For 2023 we have straddled the edges of queer culture to introduce fresh new sounds and textures from the alternative music scene, aligning them with some of the biggest names in electronic and dance music to create a unique international party-busting with nitty-gritty northern queer energy.”
“The LGBTQ+ community has experienced another challenging year, particularly our Trans siblings who are facing a relentless wave of discrimination.
“Trans rights and liberation are under real threat and in response we are growing our charity partners this year to offer much-needed resources deep within the Trans community. We are also working on a cultural spaces charity partnership to support independent artists and creatives within the Salford and Greater Manchester area.”
As you can see, there’s so much more going on with this event than just the live music side and we simply can’t wait to see how big Depot Mayfield goes off this year.
Presale tickets for Homobloc 2023 go on sale at 10am Thursday, 3 August, with general admission going live at the same time on Friday, 4 August. Be ready and waiting to grab yours HERE.
The Warehouse Project named one of the best nightclubs in the world
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester can add another big blue ribbon to its already richly adorned totem of music heritage, as The Warehouse Project has been named one of the best clubs in the entire world.
Not that we’re the least bit shocked, to be honest.
That’s right, our very own Warehouse Project – or WHP to use the more commonly thrown around shorthand – isn’t just the great successor to the likes of The Haçienda, Jilly’s Rockworld and many more Manc live music institutions, it’s become a raver’s rite of passage in its own right.
So it’s no surprise that it landed itself in the International NightLife Association’s best 100 clubs on the planet – but where exactly on the list did it land?
As you can see from the full NightLife International rankings for 2025, Warehouse Project didn’t just make it into the 100 club or even the top half; WHP broke into the best 30 clubs in the whole world.
Finishing in 27th position, specifically, Mayfield Depot‘s major tourist attraction was sandwiched between Ibiza’s Amnesia nightclub and the equally iconic Ministry of Sound in London.
Not bad company to keep, eh?
Writing in the caption, the organisation said: “From Ibiza to Singapore, Miami to Marrakech, and every nightlife capital in between, this year’s ranking showcases the venues that continue to elevate global nightlife with innovation, quality, and unforgettable experiences.”
“Cheers to all the clubs that made it onto the list”, they continued, thanking sponsors, artists and collaborators alike before adding, “Your commitment drives the industry forward.”
With the likes of Worried About Henry, Homobloc, Barry Can’t Swim, and the first-ever winter edition of Repercussion having already passed this year, the 2025 programme really has been electric.
But they’re not done yet; you can see the rest of what is on this year’s lineup down below.
One of the biggest dates on the current WHP calendar is, of course, their massive New Year’s Eve Party, which returns for 2025.
The team behind Warehouse is yet to respond to the prestigious international recognition, as they’re clearly still too busy putting on some of the best nights not just in town or the UK, but anywhere around the club.
You can get a closer look at the in-depth list of NightLife International’s top 100 clubs HERE.
Speaking of Manc nightlife, it’ll be interesting to see where a returning cult favourite will place itself on the leaderboard when it makes its full comeback very soon…
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Press shots (supplied via WHP)
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Kendal Calling reveals fantastic 2026 lineup, including Biffy Clyro, Wolf Alice, The Kooks and more
Danny Jones
The lineup for Kendal Calling 2026 has been officially revealed in full, and let’s just say the list of headliners alone is absolutely box office.
It feels like we say this every year, but this could be one of their best to date.
With the likes of Scottish rock legends Biffy Clyro (after years of courting them), Mercury Prize-winning Wolf Alice, as well as indie veterans The Kooks and Two Door Cinema Club topping the bill on the main stage, next year’s Kendal Calling is shaping up to be a tasty one.
Next summer will mark the 21st year of the annual music and arts festival, and after a wonderful 20th anniversary edition in 2025, we have every faith the KC crew are going to nail it yet again.
Announcing a total of 120 acts – yes, this lineup is already STACKED – the roster is packed with everything from timeless indie stalwarts, Northern favourites, some pop surprises and plenty more.
For instance, we were genuinely buzzing to see not only the one and only Scissor Sisters, but also Gabrielle, and even noughties throwback, Vanessa Carlton.
We’re now hoping and praying she doesn’t pull out and quite literally travels ‘A Thousand Miles’ over to the Lake District.
After making their own comebacks this year, the likes of The Libertines, Deaf Havana, Hard-Fi and several others have joined the lineup, which is spread across more than a dozen stages, including non-musical acts and other bits of live entertainment.
We were very much spoilt for choice for our favourite festivals this year, but you only have to read our review of ‘KC20’ to know how much it meant to be there.
You can see the Kendal Calling 2026 lineup poster down below.
‘26's Adventure Revealed! 🙌 Like & RT for your chance to win VIP upgrades, boutique camping & a £200 bar tab!
Biffy Clyro, Wolf Alice, Two Door Cinema Club, The Kooks, Scissor Sisters, The Libertines & more head to the Lakes! pic.twitter.com/HoI0qpgrxQ
If you look closely, you can also see that there’s a special guest slot thrown in there, too, though we’re stumped as to even the slightest hint of who it could be.
We’re sure you’ll have your theories and guesses in the chamber already, but let’s just say that after seeing how well they’ve done with surprises in the past, we cannot wait.
Commenting on the drop, co-founder Ben Robinson said: “I’m so excited to reveal next year’s line-up! Our brilliant team has secured a line-up worthy of the jaw-dropping faith the Kendal Calling family puts in us each year.
“Selling 98% of the tickets before announcing a single artist is the biggest compliment we could ever receive, so here’s an early Christmas present to say thank you!”
Like the man said, most full weekend passes have already gone, but if this lineup tickles your interest, you can still register for the final release of Kendal Calling 2026 tickets right HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
31st July 2023 
