The Warehouse Project in Manchester has announced its opening shows for 2022 and as ever there are some brilliant acts on the bill.
Returning to its home at Depot Mayfield, the celebrated Manchester party series will run from August Bank Holiday weekend to New Year’s Day 2023.
Beginning earlier this year than ever before, Bonobo, Caribou, and The National are already confirmed to play the opening weekend across Friday 26 and Saturday 27 August.
Adding to this, the lineup for the series’ reopening sequence has now been confirmed in full – and The Warehouse Project will be bringing some big names to the former Royal Mail Depot for 2022, including Mike Skinner, Eric Prydz, Jamie XX and Little Simz.
First up, Repercussion returns on Saturday 10 September for its second edition. A celebration of groundbreaking music and art in all its forms, it will be hosted across the full expanse of Depot Mayfield, spread into the historic Star & Garter with Boiler Room, and host a huge street party curated by Mr Scruff.on neighbouring Temperance Street.
ADVERTISEMENT
Image: The Warehouse Project
As part of the inner-city festival, Warehouse Project will bring Jamie xx, Little Simz, Fred again.., Jeff Mills and Underground Resistance to Manchester alongside a huge cast of handpicked artists from around the world.
The following Friday, 16 September, the one and only Eric Prydz will make an appearance for his only Northern club show this Autumn/Winter season.
The following night, another huge Saturday lands on 17 September as Disclosurereturn to the Depot alongside seminal electronic talents for another five-stage takeover to celebrate the start of the party season. DJs confirmed to appear on the night include Skream, Mella Dee, Denis Sulta and Eclair Fifi.
Moving deeper into Autumn, WHP22 will begin to roll out some big club shows including the DnB hero event with Metropolis on Saturday 22 September, featuring a huge headline set from Chase & Status and Andy C.
ADVERTISEMENT
Image: The Warehouse Project
This will be followed on Saturday 1 October with a raft of house and techno stalwarts taking to the decks as part of the Welcome to the Warehouse party, spearheaded by Joseph Capriati, The Martinez Brothers, Loco Dice and Seth Troxler.
As for fans of UKG, the Ape Birthday on Friday 7 October is an absolute must with a line-up stacked with leading names from the scene including Craig David, Mike Skinner and MJ Cole.
Stunning Ancoats favourite Street Urchin closes after ‘heartbreaking’ health emergency
Danny Jones
The stunning Ancoats restaurant and Manchester favourite, Street Urchin, has announced its sudden closure following a serious health emergency.
Opened by partners Kevin and Rachel Choudhary back in 2019, the inventive dining room has been a firm favourite among local foodies and those visiting Manchester for some time.
However, following the awful news that co-founder and head chef Kevin has recently suffered a heart attack, the city centre food spot has sadly had to close its doors, seemingly for good.
Informing diners and longtime fans online, Rachel confirmed, “We are unable to continue as a business”, adding that they are simply “heartbroken” by the turns of events.
Known for endless creativity and famous experimental dishes over the years, including a viral squirrel dish, Street Urchin has been one of the most envelope-pushing kitchens in the area for some time.
Writing in the caption, Rachel said: Thank you to our amazing team who supported us over all the years and continued to do so in these dark times. Thank you also to our suppliers, we never thought this would happen. We’re so sorry x”
Reacting to the news, local artist Painted By Courtney replied: “This is so sad, I’m so sorry to you both. Forever one of my favourite dining experiences in Manchester.”
Various names from across the Greater Manchester hospitality scene, including the likes of Tameside’s Cafe Continental, have joined in sharing their sadness and heartfelt support, with the Stalybridge spot simply adding: “Sending love. A remarkable place!”
Their menus boasted all the style, quality and flavour of a fine dining establishment without any of the haute cuisine pomp and traditional culinary trappings.
Put simply, they delivered great food served in an efficient market diner fashion. We, along with countless other Greater Mancunian foodies, absolutely loved this place.
It goes without saying that everyone at The Manc Group is shocked and deeply saddened to hear this news; we hope Kev makes a full and fast recovery, and our thoughts are with his friends and family during this difficult time.
Manchester City fans appeal to Pep Guardiola ahead of planned protest at Wolves game
Danny Jones
A number of Manchester City fan groups have come together to appeal to the club and Pep Guardiola in particular ahead of a planned protest at the Etihad Stadium over season tickets and matchday prices this week.
Man City are set to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League this Friday, but with the title now wrapped up and just European football left to secure (not a certainty but still expected), plenty of Blues’ attention has turned to the pressing issue of further impending ticket changes.
Not only are prices going up once again, and season tickets still somehow increasingly scarce/difficult to secure, even despite plans to increase the stadium’s capacity already underway, four different supporters organisations have come together to pen an open letter to Pep personally.
Quoting Pep’s own comments on wanting the stands to be more “alive” on matchday, they begin by writing: “With that in mind, we ask you for one more favour.”
Open letter from 4 groups to Pep Guardiola. The final line is a play on words of our banner earlier this season. In Catalan it says "Pep Guardiola you want US to stay" pic.twitter.com/amatwXkawB
The direct address urges the Catalan coach to implore club CEO, Ferran Soriano, to “do one more good thing” and reconsider their current stance on ticket policies and pricing, with the ‘Flexi-Gold Season Tickets’ advent alone causing considerable controversy.
Leading supporters organisation, The 1894 Group, goes on to add: “The stadium is growing by 8,000 next season and the fans want the club to bring back some real season tickets so that the generational links can be protected.
“The amount of season ticket-holders in the stadium has been shrinking. When fans cannot attend games the club then cannot resell those tickets because they are priced too high. We think the club has time to rethink two issues: season ticket availability and matchday pricing.
“We want the same things as you. A powerful club, with a loud atmosphere in the stadium. Surely the most important thing is to ensure there are no empty seats inside the Etihad?”
Insisting that the Etihad buzz will never reach the heights that Pep has cried out for in recent times, if they do not create better avenues for younger ‘Cityzens’ to attend games and ensure that “generational links can be protected.”
1894 Group are also spearheading a campaign to give a proper send-off to club legend Kevin De Bruyne, who revealed that he wasn’t offered a new contract before deciding to leave at the end of this season.
The day that Blues hoped would never come has arrived…
Kevin De Bruyne has confirmed he will be leaving #ManCity. 🥺
Warning that those at the club will not “get the atmosphere you crave if you do not think again” and take their suggestions on board, the overarching goal was put in the simplest terms: “no empty seats inside the Etihad Stadium.”
As for the planned peaceful demonstration itself, a boycott of seats is scheduled to take place before the Wolves fixture at 8pm on Friday, 2 May.
It’s unclear how many in attendance will participate in the protest, but with adults facing £88 and kids up to £58, those inside the ground will no doubt echo their stance.
With Lionness and former Man City Women player Esme Morgan even coming out to criticise the new restrictions regarding season tickets, the profile of this protest is definitely increasing.
Georgina Pellant -
24th May 2022 
