A live orchestra playing jungle and drum & bass is coming to Manchester
Fabio & Grooverider's live orchestral interpretation of sound system culture has been infamous since the first collaboration at London's Southbank Centre in 2017
Fabio & Grooveriderare coming to Manchester alongside a live orchestra to play renditions of famous jungle and drum & bass tunes.
Following two incredible sold-out shows at London’s Southbank Centre earlier this year and a handful of select festival appearances throughout the summer, Fabio & Grooverider and The Outlook Orchestra have announced three brand new live dates for January 2024.
Performing in Manchester and Nottingham for the very first time as well as a huge London show, The Outlook Orchestra will present a very special score celebrating a history of jungle and drum & bass alongside Fabio & Grooverider, aka the godfathers of the scene.
Exploring classic anthems in new ways and sparking the imagination of generations of music lovers, the show at Manchester Academy on 13 January 2024 promises some outstanding orchestral renditions of the scene’s most iconic and well-loved tracks.
The orchestra will also be joined by a selection of special guest vocalists for each night, with details of performers still yet to be released.
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Image: Fabio & Grooverider
Image: Fabio & Grooverider
The live orchestral interpretation of sound system culture has been famous since the first collaboration in 2017 – but this is the first time Manchester fans will have the chance to catch it in their home city.
One of the most legendary partnerships in the drum and bass world, Fabio & Grooverider remain at the forefront of a scene they helped build – championing the now global sounds of jungle, drum & bass, and beyond.
Widely recognised as musical pioneers, not to mention one of the most iconic duos in the genre, they have been making their mark since 1988 and continue to be beacons in the underground scene.
From their seminal residency RAGE at London’s infamous Heaven nightclub to Metalheadz, Speed, and Swerve club nights, their careers as DJs have taken them across the globe and influenced many artists across various genres.
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Since its formation in 2017, The Outlook Orchestra has grown to be a force in its own right, collaborating with champions of sound system culture from across the globe and striving to drive the scene forward in new and exciting ways.
The White Hotel is a go-to haunt for Mancs seeking a late-night (or indeed, all-night) dance, with a packed programme of music running year-round.
The independent arts venue opened inside a former garage in Salford, just outside Manchester city centre and in the shadow of HMP Manchester.
Not only has The White Hotel defined Greater Manchester’s modern nightlife scene, but it’s become known globally as one of the best underground nightclubs on the planet.
Known for its raw DIY atmosphere and boundary-pushing line-ups, the Salford venue up there among the UK’s most respected club spaces.
But despite ‘continuing to draw full houses’, The White Hotel will close in January, according to The Guardian.
Ben Ward told the paper that the venue has found itself in a flood-risk zone, saying: “Basically, it’s a swamp.”
He added that it was better ‘to go out on our own terms, long before we became a museum’.
When The White Hotel opened in 2015, they planned to stick around for a year, then move to LA – but now a decade on, it’s cemented itself on Manchester’s club scene.
The area where The White Hotel stands will become a wetland park.
Neither artistic director Austin Collings nor Ward are ‘sentimental about losing the premises’, The Guardian wrote, quoting Ward as saying: “It’s come as a surprise that it’s lasted this long anyway.”
Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze
Daisy Jackson
Festival-goers have been warned not to take wheelie bins full of alcohol to festivals with them this summer.
The warning has come ahead of this year’s Download Festival, which takes place next month and kicks off the summer’s biggest run of festival dates.
But a major train operator has said there have been incidents in the past of passengers trying to travel to festivals with wheelie bins and luggage trolleys.
Passengers have had to be reminded that wheelie bins are not permitted on board, and they should instead only carry as much luggage as they can comfortably carry.
The warning comes from East Midlands Railway, one of the key services that will whisk people to Download Festival between 10 and 14 June.
Customers returning from the festival are also encouraged to use boot-cleaning brushes provided at stations to help remove mud before boarding trains.
Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director at East Midlands Railway, said: “We’re encouraging customers to travel light.
“Last year, some festive goers tried to board services with wheelie bins or festival trolleys full of beer. While it might seem like a great idea for getting your supplies to the festival, it just isn’t safe or possible to bring them onboard train services.”
Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze
EMR has also warned customers to plan journeys in advance, with engineering work taking place at various locations on the Midland Main Line, near where Download Festival takes place.
She continued: “We’re advising customers travelling to Download Festival to plan their journeys in advance and be aware that essential engineering work will affect services across the weekend.
“As a result, some services will be reduced or amended, and passengers should check before they travel and allow extra time.”
Georgina Pellant -
29th August 2023 
