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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
Grassroots music venue The Yard announces new outdoor festival – and it’s got a great name
Thomas Melia
City centre grassroots music venue The Yard has just announced its new outdoor festival, where you can expect lots of impressive local live music.
Independent and grassroots music venue, The Yard, is known for hosting some of the best gigs, creative events and live music in the city, and this festival is no different.
Titled ‘Stranger Ways’ – if you don’t get that reference, then we don’t know what to tell you – anyone attending can expect to hear music that champions Manchester’s indie spirit, with a lot of local talent represented in the lineup.
Alex Spencer is set to headline day one of Stranger Ways Festival.The Yard is a brilliant venue known for hosting a variety of live music events.Credit: Supplied
This talent has seen praise from the likes of Lady Gaga and The Coral, even getting his track ‘Nightmares’ featured in EA Sports FC25 (FIFA).
They’ve seen massive success this year playing at the Isle of Wight Festival earlier this summer and supporting ‘Every Breath You Take’ penman Sting in Cardiff.
Another of our picks for Manc artists of the month for June, Arkayla. Named after “a terrible Oasis demo” from 1991, the band will be stopping by to sing a couple of their hits, too.
The band are already making waves, quite literally, receiving plays from one of the biggest rock radio stations in the UK, Radio X.
Wigan band The Lilacs are set to headline day two of Stranger Ways Festival.Arkayla are one of the headliners for The Yard’s new outdoor festival.Credit: Supplied
And of course this festival falls during Oasis’ massive reunion tour, so it would be rude not to have a tribute act, or two, performing at this outdoor festival – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Carpets and The Oasis Experience.
Now, as far as tribute bands go, that’s up there with one of the best and quietly clever names we’ve heard since we came across, well… Stranger Ways.
Speaking of Oasis, every ticket purchased for The Yard’s outdoor festival, Stranger Ways, gets entered into a prize draw to win tickets for one of the Burnage boys’ Wembley gigs with an overnight stay.
Stranger Ways Festival is taking place at The Yard across 19 and 20 July – To access the full lineup and grab your tickets, you can find everything you need to know HERE.
Anyone who has managed to bag themselves those precious Oasis tickets is in luck too, as if you can show proof on arrival to The Yard, you can guarantee yourself free entry.
Featured Images – Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)
Audio
We got to see a music legend from the best seats in the house – here’s how you can too
Danny Jones
We recently went to one of the biggest gigs of the year here in Manchester and got to see the show from the luxury of a VIP suite for less than the standard price – here’s how you can do the same.
The idea of watching not only one of the greatest musicians of all time, but doing so from hospitality or a posh box at an arena, might seem far too out of pocket for plenty of gig-goers; however, after stumbling across a criminally unknown hospitality provider, we’re here to tell you you’re wrong.
We’re talking about Sport and Music, a promotion company that specialises in corporate, hospitality and VIP tickets to some of the biggest live entertainment dates across the UK and beyond.
Heading for our first visit on one of these tickets, we went to see none other than the legend that is Bruce Springsteen, and this is what greeted us when we arrived:
Stylish and well-situated.We managed to catch a wave and some brief eye-contact from our swanky balcony spot.Credit: Audio North
Not a bad place to watch a concert, eh?
What you’re looking at is the view from one ofCo-op Live VIP suites, where we were hosted by Sport and Music team as well as the venue’s wonderful hospitality staff.
Although there are plenty of boxes located around the arena, this particular has the advantage of not only being located nice and near to the stage – seriously, Brucey was so close we could practically smell him – but even before sitting in the luxurious seats, there was a really nice cosy atmosphere to the room.
Perfect for getting a small to medium-sized group of mates together, you and your family, or perhaps a fun idea for a work outing, there was plenty of room, storage, and even a sofa nook tucked behind a curtain in the corner.
As well as a full TV and speaker set-up to suit all your AV needs before and after your event of choice, there was a fully stocked fridge and a designated server just for us.
Besides being greeted with a drink on arrival, you can obviously keep topping up your drinks throughout the night without ever having to leave the comfort of your seat.
That being said, the wider VIP area and the likes of the arena’sBackstage Club promise a cool and vibrant atmosphere, making this extra special experience more value for money.
Also, there is, of course, room to order yourself some food to keep you ‘Dancing In The Dark’ long into the night; offerings include stonebaked pizzas, loaded fries and plenty more.
Or, you know, if you just want a simple snack, you can always make the most of Co-op’s ironically convenient little mini-convenience stores located around the arena.
Nothing keeps you grounded like grabbing a quick sausage roll from the bakery as well.
Cocktails from the Backstage Club at Lionel Richie’s show.We had some solid slices on our next visit.(Credit: The Manc Group)
All in all, our review of the Sport and Music hospitality experience is a glowing one: not only was it nice to spoil ourselves with some special treatment (we all deserve it from time to time), but the attractive deals available make it a genuinely viable way to make your night extra memorable.
Especially if you’re then going to split the cost of, say, aVIP suite at Co-op Live between you and even just one friend.
You can find out more information and see what events they currently have ticket availability forHERE.
Oh, and if you’re wondering if ‘The Boss’ is still up to the job at 75, we think this picture proves that his ‘Glory Days’ are far from over…
Georgina Pellant -
27th June 2023 
