Reading and Leeds Festival is taking it to the next level and hosting the world’s biggest (and quietest) disco of all time next month.
If you’ve ever been to Reading and Leeds Festival, then you’ll know that it’s not just about the main stages and the popular headliners.
Although the lineup is an impressive one this year, with Billie Eilish and Sam Fender spearheading the roster of famous names, some of the best things happen where you least expect them – and this year is no exception, as festival organisers have made the triumphant announcement that Leeds will be hosting the world’s biggest silent disco to ever take place.
Yes, you heard that right – this year’s Reading and Leeds Festival will be making history, and you’d be a fool not to take part in it.
But how is that possible you may ask?
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The world’s largest silent disco is happening at Reading and Leeds Festival this summer / Credit: Leeds Festival
Well, the way it’s going to work is, the two locations will be playing a simultaneous set, making the disco nationwide and merging the North and South divide.
British drum and bass DJ duo Sigma will be split up with one member playing at each silent disco location on the Sunday night, so those attending will most definitely be seeing off the festival in style.
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Announcing the news, Leeds fest said: “Ok, so we can’t talk about late night without mentioning our HUGE silent disco announcement.
“In case you somehow missed it, we’re hosting the WORLD’S BIGGEST silent disco on Sunday night over at Main Stage West. We’re splitting DnB heroes Sigma in two, sending one to Reading to play the first ever (!!) simultaneous R&L set.
“It’s gonna be the biggest, but quietest, rave we’ve ever seen.”
Tickets are still available for Leeds Festival 2023, and you can grab yours here.
Featured Image – Leeds Festival
Gigs & Nightlife
The top 10 biggest gigs in Manchester music history
Thomas Melia
When you think of Manchester one of the first things that comes to mind obviously after ‘best city in the world’ is one word: ‘music’.
Our capital of the North West has birthed some of the world’s greatest singers of all time and welcomed some of the planet’s biggest stars.
Manchester has many live music venues to host impressive gigs including stadiums, arenas, parks and a wide variety of performance spaces.
The real reason these artists keep coming back is because of you, everyone who shows up and shows out to every single tour and performance happening in our culturally rich city.
Although not 2008, here is Kylie in all her grandeur at AO Arena in 2014.Credit: Wikimedia Commons
With a tour titled ‘KylieX2008’, the Aussie sensation made our heads spin around in 2008 as she graced the AO Arena for six nights of pop perfection from 11 July to 18 July.
Minogue has a special connection to Manchester and this arena specifically, performing here over 30 times to a total of 400,000 people.
Taylor Swift performing on the B-Stage at Etihad Stadium in 2018.Credit: The Manc Group
‘Baby let the games begin!’ Swift opened her ‘Reputation Stadium Tour’ in 2018 while standing behind a backdrop of snakes, scales and reptile-like patterns.
The legendary pop star commanded the stage even walking through the crowd to greet fans with smiles and high fives, making sure to get up close and personal even in a venue this grand.
‘Tay-Tay’s last visit to the North West saw her playing three nights of her monumental ‘The Eras Tour’ just a stone’s throw away at Anfield Stadium and who knows, maybe once the Etihad renovation is complete, she might be keen to make another appearance.
8. Oasis: 80,000 – Maine Road (1996)
In signature Liam style, the tambourine is in hand and ready to accompany both the brother’s vocals.Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The Burnage boys were always destined to be on this list in one way or another due to their incredible impact in pushing Manchester music and bands to the mainstream.
Singing hits from their well-known music catalogue, Oasis attracted 80,000 to Manchester City’s former ground in the mid-90s.
Unlike the tour taking place in 2025, tickets for this gig would’ve only set you back £17.50, you’d have been silly not to grab yourself one!
7. Harry Styles: 99,526 – Old Trafford Cricket Ground (2022)
The former One Direction star Harry Styles spent two nights in June spreading the love with his mega ‘Love On Tour’ and the feeling was definitely mutual.
On 15 and 16 June the ‘Watermelon Sugar’ singer had nearly 100,000 devotees in the palm of his hand as he belted out some of his best solo numbers.
The Cheshire-born superstar even paused his show to find his primary school teacher who he’d been informed was in the crowd, thanking her for all her help and hard work while he was in education. Adorable.
6. Foo Fighters: 100,000 – Old Trafford Cricket Ground (2024)
The Washington-formed band put on two impressive nights where Mancs witnessed ‘music royalty’ on their ‘Everything or Nothing at All Tour’ in June.
As well as ‘The Pretender’ hitmakers, the sold-out shows were spoilt with not one but four support acts split across the two dates, including Wet Leg.
On 13 June the rock champions even previewed an unreleased track ‘Unconditional’ for the first time, adding it to the setlist for the 15 June show too!
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Old Trafford Cricket Ground was a spectacle this June.The American chaps swooned by the roars of the crowd.Credit: The Manc Group / Publicity Picture (Supplied)
5. Spice Girls: 150,955 – Etihad Stadium (2019)
Etihad Stadium and Spice Girls spiced up our lives three times in 2019 with three non-consecutive performances from 29 May to 1 June.
This tour was missing one key ingredient, ‘Posh Spice’, who missed out on this string of shows for the first time in her career.
In addition to these four fierce ladies, another UK household act Jess Glynne joined them on the bill as a support act. The girls were met with raptures as they made their entrance to Manchester after 11 years since their last visit.
Just look at those iconic fits! Spice Girls performing at Wembley Stadium on the same tour that visited Manchester.Credit: Wikimedia Commons
In 2023 they brought their Music Of The Spheres world tour to Manchester from 31 May to 4 June for four nights of dazzling lights, wowed fans and of course incredible live arrangements.
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Altogether, these shows brought together almost 200,000 attendees who had the opportunity to get involved with the show’s production themselves by cycling electric bikes and kinetic dancefloor which both helped power the stage.
The Coldplay lads in all their glory.An awe-inspiring crowd lighting up the already phenomenal Etihad Stadium.Credit: Wikicommons / The Manc Group
3. Ed Sheeran: 218,639 – Etihad Stadium (2022)
Starting his musical career just over the hill busking in Hebden Bridge before becoming one of the UK’s most prominent and successful artists of all time.
In 2022, the ‘Galway Girl’ singer took to Manchester City‘s awesome stadium to play hits from his full discography titled ‘The Mathematics Tour’ in honour of his equation-themed album titles.
The one-man, one-guitar show attracted almost 55,000 people across four nights who watched the singing red-head belt out his bangers on a 360 circular stage.
Ed Sheeran at V Festival in 2014, already a star in his own right.Credit: Wikimedia Commons
2. The Stone Roses: 225,000 – Heaton Park (2012)
The Manchester rock pioneers played a three-night hometown residency as part of their reunion tour following a 17-year concert hiatus.
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Fans came in abundance to pack out to Heaton Park, a notorious music-hosting site which has hosted a plethora of acts as well as this formidable band.
Spanning from 29 June to 1 July, The Stone Roses played to a whopping 75,000 fans every night across the three sold-out Manchester shows at Heaton Park in 2012.
The Stone Roses performing at Fuji Rock Festival in 2012, the same year as their Heaton Park residency.Credit: Wikicommons Media
In 2011, ‘The Flood’ boys put on a remarkable eight nights for nearly half a million lucky Mancs from 3 June till 12 June, making for a summer everyone could ‘Never Forget’.
However, they weren’t the only boyband gracing the Manchester City stadium as dance duo Pet Shop Boys supported them on their ‘Progress Live’ tour across the UK.
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A fan-captured moment of Take That reunited amidst their eight show run at Etihad Stadium in Manchester.Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Honourable Mentions
One Love Manchester, 55,000 – Old Trafford Cricket Ground (2017)
Even though this event may not be topping the attendance records, this concert was a special and remarkable moment in Manchester’s history.
Fronted by Ariana Grande, just two weeks after the Manchester Arena attack, Old Trafford Cricket Ground saw a multitude of artists coming together to celebrate the importance of music while paying respect to those affected by the events in the month prior.
BBC reported the ‘One Love Manchester’ live show had 14.5 million viewers at its peak with an average of 10.9 million worldwide and this benefit concert has since raised more than £10 million for the ‘We Love Manchester Emergency Fund’.
Grande may be reaching height after unthinkable height as a musical artist, but she has always had a special place for Manchester in her heart, donating toys to children in Manchester hospitals at Christmastime.
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Oasis Live ’25, 320,000 (Predicted) – Heaton Park (2025)
Brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher are heading across the globe next year on their reunion tour of a lifetime, 16 years since their last live performance, with four Manchester dates.
Although the band might not have performed yet, Heaton Park is expected to welcome a ‘Wonderwall’ of around 80,000 fans every night.
We’re not sure we’ll ever be emotionally ready for this but bring it on. We’ve waited long enough. The question is, what do want to hear them play?
Featured Image – Eva Rinaldi (via Wikicommons)/The Manc Group/Lily Redman (via Wikicommons)
Gigs & Nightlife
Bicep present Chroma AV DJ set at The Warehouse Project 2024 – tickets, lineup and more
Danny Jones
Another big night at The Warehouse Project is just around the corner as Bicep return to Depot Mayfield for what is set to be an incredible night with a whole host of top guests in tow.
The Bicep presents Chroma AV (audiovisual) DJ set is arguably one of the biggest dates on the entire WHP 2024 calendar, with the Belfast duo sitting comfortably at the top of the current electronic scene.
It may have been more than three whole years since their sensational sophomore record, Isles, but as part of the ‘CHROMA’ project launched back in January, the new label, event series and hybrid live-DJ show has given us our first taste of new music from the pair along with producing partner, Hammer.
So, if you’re heading to Warehouse for Bicep and co. instead of Sam Fender this Friday – hopefully, you’ve got tickets for the latter on Saturday – here’s everything you need to know.
Bicep at The Warehouse Project gig guide
Bicep smashing Repercussion 2023 (Credit: Supplied via Graham Joy)
Are there tickets left for Bicep at WHP?
If you’re still looking to have a night jam-packed with tunes and some of the best light shows you’ll find anywhere in Machester, there are still tickets left to catch Bicep at Warehouse Project.
Early entry tickets (before 9pm) start from £29.50 + booking and handling fees, with standard full-price tickets clocking in at £43.35 with all service charges included.
There are also VIP passes available if you fancy being bougie. Whatever your preferred option, you can grab yours HERE.
The CHROMA lineup for WHP 2024
For their return to the Warehouse, Bicep have attracted a fantastic collection of names to see throughout the night before they headline the whole shebang.
With Aussie favourite Mall Grab, aforementioned collaborator Hammer, as well as British DJ icon SHERELLE (Sherelle Camille Thomas), to name but a few taking part, it’s going to be a brilliant night.
You can see the full lineup down below:
Bicep Present Chroma AV DJ Set
Mall Grab
Daphni
Helena Hauff
Bubble Love (Ross From Friends)
SHERELLE
Elkka – Live
Moxie
Effy
LCY
Hammer
Denham Audio
Machine Woman
Space Afrika
Giulia Tess
Cameo Blush
Swoose
Bakey
Bicep WHP stage splits
As for where you can find these dance and electronic pioneers playing, WHP will once again be split up across the main Depot room, the equally popular Concourse stage and the Archive room.
With an overall capacity of roughly 10,000, the place is sure to be packed out but you just need to figure out which area suits you best.
Stage times for Bicep presents Chroma – Manchester
As for when you get to catch each of these incredible acts, we’ve broken down Bicep’s WHP set times in a handy little table for you.
That being said, you can access all of these times easily on the night by downloading the WHP24 app.
DEPOT
CONCOURSE
ARCHIVE
Hammer b2b Swoose – 8-10pm
Giulia Tess – 8:30-9:30pm
Cameo Blush – 8:30-9:30pm
Moxie – 10-11pm
Effy – 21:30-22:45pm
Space Afrika – 9:30-10:45pm
Elkka – Live – 11:05pm-12:05am
Mall Grab – 22:45pm-12am
Machine Woman – 22:45pm-12am
Bubble Love (Ross From Friends) – 12:05-1:05am
SHERELLE – 12-1:15am
LCY – 12-1:15am
Daphni – 1:05-2:15am
Helena Hauff – 1:15-2:30am
Denham Audio b2b Bakey – 1:15-2:30am
Bicep – 2:15-4am
n/a
n/a
Transport and how to get to The Warehouse Project
Just an eight-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly or a 20-minute walk from Manchester Victoria Station, it’s super easy to get to Warehouse Project on foot or via public transport.
You can catch a train or multiple tram lines from Victoria and various other points around the city centre which will drop you off at Manchester Piccadilly; better still, a tram journey will only set you back £1.90 and not much more for the train.
Taxis are also widely available across Manchester city centre starting from £5 upwards from Manchester Victoria to Depot Mayfield or £4 and above for a ride to the venue from Piccadilly.
Final things to remember
Credit: Graham Joy
There are multiple free drinking points inside as well as free cups of water behind the bar. Stay properly hydrated and you’ll be able to rave well into the early hours.
Please also note that multiple amnesty bins can be found on your way into the building. We urge everyone to stay safe and look after one another.
Lastly, anyone wearing a football shirt will not be accepted into the venue but other than that, have an absolutely incredible time.
You can find the rest of the WHP24 programme below:
Clementine Hall -
13th July 2023 
