The UK’s largest indoor techno experience is coming to Warehouse Project (WHP)in Manchester this autumn.
Promising huge headline sets from techno giants 999999999, Reinier Zonneveld and Vladimir Dubyshkin, the giant techno event will run for 12 hours across four separate stages at Depot Mayfield.
Returning to the city this autumn for its third edition, XXL will take place on Saturday 7 October from 5pm to 5am and is being hosted by WHP in partnership with Teletech and Lo-Fi.
Further DJ sets at the all-day and night party will come from the likes of Kobosil, I Hate Models, DJ Heartstring, KI/KI, blk., Nina Kraviz, Paula Temple b2b SNTS, Shlømo b2b Sara Landry, Adrián Mills, Azyr, Basswell, Billy Does, blk., Charlie Sparks, Cloudy, CLTX, DJ Hyperdrive, Faster Horses, HØLEIGH, Krl Mx, LESSSS, Lucia Lu, Mac Declos, Malugi, Nico Moreno b2b DYEN, OGUZ and more.
Image: WHP
Image: WHP
The news follows the announcement from Warehouse Project about its opening season parties as it gears up to return to its home at Depot Mayfield this September.
ADVERTISEMENT
Kicking things off on 15 September will be a special show from Australian house music DJ Sonny Fodera with friends, followed by a return of ground-breaking Repercussion Festival which marks the official opening of the new season on 16 September.
The day and night party will run across the entire expanse of Depot Mayfield, covering eight unique stages, including the intimate Star & Garter pub and an immense street party on neighbouring Temperance Street.
ADVERTISEMENT
Read more:Lewis Capaldi breaks Glastonbury silence and confirms indefinite break from touring
For the first time, Repercussion will also extend onto the deserted train lines that sit upon the rooftop of the Depot, with two brand new spaces being brought to life: a rooftop takeover celebrating 25 years of Rush Hour and a cinema specially programmed by i-D magazine.
Repercussion’s vast line-up showcases dance music in all its forms. Bicep will be debuting their brand-new Chroma (AV/DJ Set) show at the event.
ADVERTISEMENT
Moderat also return to Manchester for their first live show in the city since 2016, and Kerri Chandler brings his super rare Reel-To-Reel set-up to Manchester for the very first time. Also in town are Jon Hopkins, TSHA (Live), Biig Piig and many more.
The following week on Saturday 23 September, the Worry About Henry x Metropolis sees the largest Drum & Bass event ever at Warehouse Project break out across the entire Mayfield complex, with over 100 artists from across the DnB spectrum, including Hybrid Minds, Wilkinson, Hedex, Bou and many more.
On Friday 29th September, long-time electronic party crew Kaluki returns for a special birthday show and label showcase. Jamie Jones, Joseph Capriati, Hot Since 82, Solardo, Chris Stussyand more lead the proceedings for this season opener.
As we embrace the Autumn season, Saturday 30 September, sees the seminal ‘Welcome to the Warehouse’ show return for a six-stage takeover with various influential artists.
ADVERTISEMENT
This year, Welcome to the Warehouse features the likes of Honey Dijon, The Blessed Madonna, Mall Grab, Job Jobse, Sherelle, Saoirse, and more revealed below.
Sam Kandel, Co-Founder of Warehouse Project said: “Before last year’s WHP run ended, we had already started on our plans for 2023.
“Now we can’t wait to get back into Depot Mayfield, where we are making significant production changes for this year, all to be revealed when we kick off in September.”
Beyond The Music moves to MediaCity for the first-time ever
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester arts festival and conference Beyond The Music is back for 2026, but this time it will be heading to MediaCity for a Salford debut.
The long weekender is still a relative newcomer when it comes to the Manc events calendar, but it’s quickly gathered plenty of repute not just in the North West but within the industry as a whole.
Holding just its third edition later this year, Beyond The Music ’26 is set to be the most ambitious yet, spread across the three days and promising an impressive lineup both in terms of live performers, but also speakers, industry experts and wider activities.
With MediaCity and dock10 hosting their inaugural Beyond The Music, it’s another big win for the second city, with Sports Personality of the Year sticking over Salford way for the foreseeable future, along with other events like the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Awards moving to the Quayside.
Much of the BBC’s World Cup coverage is also being hosted at their Salfordian studios and main Northern base this summer, too.
Given that so many big annual dates have now made the switch to central Manchester – the BRITs and the MOBOs, just to name two recent examples – you could say it only makes sense to spread things out across the surrounding boroughs and their equally rich heritage.
Not that you should need reminding, but Salford isn’t just part of the region: it’s a city all of its own right that boasts an immense amount of pride over what is nothing short of a sterling musical history.
As for the 2026 Beyond The Music programme, besides both the local artists and more international creatives than ever, there’ll be keynote conversations, industry showcases, and wider networking opportunities for anyone looking to immerse themselves deeper in this world.
You’ll have to wait a little while longer for a full live music lineup, but watch this space…
Mayor Andy Burnham and friends help launch Beyond the Music at MediaCityUK (Credit: Mark Waugh)
Sarah Pearson, Co-founder of Beyond The Music, said in an official statement: “Beyond The Music’s mission is to seize this moment, to come together and drive meaningful and lasting change in the music and content industry.
“It’s undeniable that the impact and importance of music and content are stronger than ever, but this is not reflected in their perceived value.
“The ethical and economic infrastructure of the music and content industries demands urgent attention and bold reform… It is our responsibility to protect creativity in order to ensure it doesn’t just survive but thrives. Things may feel difficult, but they are still possible.”
Mayor Burnham added: “Greater Manchester has always been at the forefront of cultural innovation, and Beyond The Music is a vital opportunity for the sector to come together and address the challenges and opportunities facing music and content creation…
“With its move to MediaCity and a bigger-than-ever programme, Beyond The Music is helping to cement our city region’s place at the centre of the creative economy.”
Taking place between 7-9 October 2026, you can register for early bird tickets right HERE. Roll on an even more extensive festival season than ever.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall Manchester – groovy, hazy and effortlessly cool
Clementine Hall
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall proved exactly why they’ve built such a cult following over the past decade.
Formed in 2010 by frontman Ruban Nielson, the band first broke through with their scrappy, lo-fi self-titled debut and since then, they’ve become known for their signature blend of psychedelic rock, funk, and warped pop.
I first saw the band back in 2023 at Glastonbury, and yes sorry I am one of those annoying people that bring it up all the time.
They’re the perfect band to close your eyes, sway your head and tap your foot to – and that’s exactly what the crowd were doing in unison last night at the Albert Hall.
Image: The Manc Group
From the second they stepped on stage, there was no rush – just that signature hazy groove met with enough stage lights to sink a ship.
You could barely see them on stage, but that made it even cooler. And you can only imagine how gorgeous the Albert Hall looked with hundreds of spotlights in different colours whizzing all over it.
Early tracks simmered and pulled us in before the band stretched out into crowd pleasers like ‘Multi-Love’ and ‘Hunnybee’. What an absolute tune by the way.
Image: The Manc Group
There wasn’t much crowd interaction but, again, there didn’t need to be. They let the music do the talking and by treating us to some of the most epic guitar solos we’ve ever heard (no, seriously), we’ll forgive them for not talking to us.
Each song melted into each other as the band oozed effortless charm and talent throughout the almost two hour set, which is no mean feat.
Of course, a sea of phones shot up for ‘So Good at Being in Trouble‘, their most popular track which prompted a harmonious audience singalong. Not very harmonious by me, admittedly.
It was a fantastic ending that left the audience feeling united by the laidback brilliance of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and I hope they don’t leave it too long to come back this time.
Georgina Pellant -
27th June 2023 
