The Warehouse Project has announced details of its opening season party this autumn, with brand new stages and a headline performance from Jungle.
And the iconic clubbing series will expand beyond the walls of Depot Mayfield this year, also taking over spaces at the Star & Garter pub, Temperance Street, the Plant Room at Freight Island, and the roof above the venue.
The opening party for The Warehouse Project 2024 season – known as Repercussion – will be headlined by Bonobo and Jungle, along with a massive bill of other talent from the electronic, house and techno worlds.
The day-to-night party takes over three rooms at the enormous building near Manchester Piccadilly, Depot, Concourse and Archive within Depot Mayfield, and will kick off the months-long programme of music that draws hundreds of thousands to the venue.
Set to take place on Saturday 14 September, Repercussion will welcome master of electronic Bonobo, fresh off his Outlier showcase at The Warehouse Project’s first ever Australia edition.
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Then British dance project Jungle will round off their enormous world tour at WHP, a couple of months after they’ll headline Sounds of the City at Castlefield Bowl.
The line-up for Warehouse Project’s main stage, Depot, also includes Peruvian DJ, producer and vocalist Sofia Kourtesis; DJ Seinfeld who is known for his sweeping emotive cuts and creative samples; the emerging Austrian-born, Manchester-based salute with an upcoming debut album via Ninja Tune; alongside the mysterious act that has burst onto the jazz-house scene berlioz (DJ); NTS radio host Tarzsa and Mancunian Rich Reason.
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Credit: Sophia J CareyCredit: Graham Joy PhotographyWarehouse Project has announced its 2024 opening party, with a headline performance from Jungle.
The unique 360° booth at Concourse is set to welcome a blend of cross-genre sets, curated by Honey Dijon.
The line-up features Major League DJz who has been referred to as “amapiano’s global ambassadors” by DJ Mag; DESIREE with her soulful cuts and deep African infused house; and Josh Caffé who has crafted an assured reputation in the underground house and techno scene.
All alongside Rhythm Section’s founder Bradley Zero, Parisian DJ/Producer and multi-instrumentalist Chloé Caillet, and The Warehouse Project’s longest-standing resident, Krysko.
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Under the archway at Archive, the city’s music venue YES takes over the stage to celebrate contemporary UK club music.
Manchester’s very own Anz is set to lead the way, alongside sets from some of underground heroes Hamdi, Bakey, Love Remain, Aletha, Tañ, and Jim Bane.
Brand new for this year at Warehouse Project will be the On The Roof stage, a loft space with rare views of the Manchester skyline from the rooftop.
Warehouse Project 2023. Credit: Supplied
The intimate space will welcome a set up hosted by Luke Una presents É Soul Cultura, who will be DJing alongside the likes of deep house pioneer Chez Damier, Chilean artist Paula Tape who returns after her Boiler Room set at Repercussion 2022 and Manchester’s own rising star, DJ and Producer, Joey T.
Luke Una’s curation for É Soul Cultura has became one of Manchester’s staple parties in recent years, throwing in an all-welcome attitude and bringing in the free party spirit into the scene.
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Extending the stage to adjoining Temperance Street, Manchester-based party collective Habitat will present their biggest street party with Dutch artist Jarreau Vandal headlining alongside JAEL and Taylah Elaine, plus Habitat residents Yung_omz, AK Gramm, Tone Rarri, and all hosted by one of Manchester’s favourite presenters Faro.
Manchester’s legendary music pub venue, Star & Garter, is set to play host to the city’s newest online community radio station Crop Radio, with a line-up of grassroots acts from in and around Manchester.
Also participating at Repercussion, the Plant Room at Freight Island is another celebration of the expansive local underground heroes. With acts from SNO, Mikey D.O.N, Levi Love, Me Gusta Collective, Sam Redmore & Joe Motion, and Shimrise.
Pre-sale ticket sales go live on Thursday 30 May from 10am.
General ticket sales go live on Friday 31 May from 10am.
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.
Review | Leon Thomas at Manchester Academy – ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ but this gig healed me
Thomas Melia
American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas visited Manchester Academy last night, performing hits from his deluxe album to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,600.
One year after an exclusive London MUTT Live date, Mr Thomas returns to the UK with the ‘MUTTS DON’T HEEL’ Tour, venturing to five cities, including the music capital of the North: Manchester.
The night started off just how it should’ve done with ‘HEEL’, as the audience were welcomed by the drum-loop and a chill atmosphere from the start.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Leon Thomas gig without at least one Ty Dolla $ign collaboration making the setlist, and there’s plenty to choose from with a new one dropping just over a month ago, ‘miss u 2’.
Leon Thomas performing hits at Manchester Academy (Credit: Audio North)
The funk-influenced musician opted for ‘FAR FETCHED’, and the audience was in the palm of his hand. No matter which of the four link-ups he chose, it was always going to go down well – Manchester never disappoints.
Leon didn’t even have to ask the crowd to bring more energy; they already matched him. When he sings, “For someone who don’t ask for favours, I’ve done way too many favours”, on ‘PARTY FAVORS’, he really meant it.
Last year, Leon Thomas dropped PHOLKS, a project which saw him exploring old-school funk and soul sounds even further and ‘Just How You Are’ had even the shyest dancer pulling out a little two step.
This isn’t the only hit that sent the crowd into a frenzy; ‘Baccarat’ and its impressive psychedelic guitar solo had jaws literally falling to the floor at Manchester Academy.
His songs might not be dramatic or extravagant, but they don’t need to be. Leon’s artistry prevails when he’s softly singing, and you’re still able to detect each instrument.
Leon Thomas brought the MUTTS DON’T HEEL Tour to Manchester Academy (Credit: The Manc)
‘Breaking Point’ is an easy-listening soul track that had all 2,600 Leon Thomas fans in our feelings as we realised we were coming to the end of a phenomenal concert.
And of course, ‘Mutt’ – his biggest single to date: a bouncy and swag-filled number that sticks in your head for weeks on end – sounded even better when backed by a live band as I discovered last night.
There was some insane musicality, distinct bangers and impeccable live arrangements that elevated the original studio recordings. Maybe ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’, but Leon Thomas definitely healed me.
He wasn’t the only cool cat playing last night either:
Daisy Jackson -
29th May 2024 
