UK and Manchester nightlife institution, The Warehouse Project, has announced its first-ever international event series and it’s shaping up to be truly unforgettable.
The iconic Manc music series and collection of club nights is now entering its 17th anniversary and after delivering a truly wonderful comeback calendar in 2022 (their first full year back at it post-pandemic), The Warehouse Project is now taking their legendary brand on the road — or, more accurately, overseas.
Officially detailed earlier this month, Warehouse Project Rotterdam is set to take place from Friday, 28-Sunday, 30 April and much like its home here in Manchester, WHP RDM will be taking place a massive disused warehouse currently being kitted out with all the necessary facilities to put on an amazing night.
Popping up in RDM Rotterdam, the largest pre-WWII shipbuilding and repair facility in the Netherlands and one of the biggest in Europe, you can already see how insane this place is going to look.
People are already starting to secure their tickets for the massive inaugural event, with weekend passes from £150 and full three-day package deals also available from £299 per person and final accommodation packages on sale now.
WHP are also helping punters sort both payment and travel plans. Train and coach operators are offering pick-ups from £90 and can be booked direct; plus, return flights start from around £100 with routes to Rotterdam, Amsterdam Schipol (then a short 20-minute train) and Eindhoven (plus 1-hour train) now available. Again, all more than reasonable given the value of the overall package you’re getting.
With massive artists like DJ EZ, Kerri Chandler, Peggy Gou, Seth Troxler and even a Bicep DJ set included among the long list of acts, not to mention several special guests still yet to be unveiled, WHP RDM isn’t just their flagship international event, it could go down as one of their greatest ever.
Just look at that line-up. Get us to Holland right now.
Better still, a series of boat parties and general after-parties organised alongside nightlife institutions Toffler and 360 Degrees have also been announced to pack out the bank holiday weekend with non-stop action, including sets from Interplanetary Criminal and much-loved Dutch DJ, Luuk Van Djik.
To be honest, we’re not fully sure we’re even ready for how incredible this weekend is going to be but one thing is for sure, there is no way this will be Warehouse Project’s last international event.
Dubbed as the next must-visit destination in Europe, Rotterdam has lots in common with Manchester, from its rich industrial past, legendary status dance and club culture; urban design and architecture, and, of course, its trademark waterways. We couldn’t think of a better way to take WHP global.
You can secure your spot at Warehouse Project Rotterdam now by paying a £50 deposit HERE. This is going to be something special.
Rochdale to become colourful canvas as internationally-acclaimed artists bring mural festival to town
Thomas Melia
Some of the world’s best artists will descend on Rochdale soon, creating beautiful artwork on buildings and turning Rochdale town centre into a huge urban art gallery.
The ‘Common Walls’ International Mural Festival will give Rochdale locals and visitors a chance to see artworks being created up close by the world-renowned artists who’ll be in the Greater Manchester town for a week bringing their masterpieces to life.
Set to run from 7 through to 14 September, a collection of artists are descending onto the streets of Rochdale to give walls around the town centre a lick of paint that will not only brighten up the space, but also leave a lasting legacy.
10 of Rochdale’s notable town centre buildings will undergo a drastic change as part of this art-focused event.
Each art piece will pay homage to moments in Rochdale’s captivating history.
Rochdale-raised artist AYLO and Manchester-based Le Mai are two of the creatives getting involved, alongside Smug / Credit: Supplied
The artists involved in this creative, colourful, and cross-continental campaign include Greek artist Insane51, Swiss-born Onur, Manc-based Lei Mai, and so many more.
This new initiative is fronted by local artist Hayley Garner, known by her artist pseudonym AYLO, who was raised in Rochdale.
The festival’s main celebrations are taking place on Saturday 13 September, when you’ll be able to walk through the town and admire all the pieces of art dotted around.
There will also be BMX stunt shows, a live grafitti jam, pop-up galleries, artist talks, and live music, as well as street art workshops so you can unleash your inner Bansky.
Insane51 and Smug join AYLO as just some of the other artists involved / Credit: Supplied
“I’ve painted murals all over the world, but nothing compares to painting in your hometown alongside artists I have looked up to and admired, especially during Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture,” commented lead artist and curator of Common Walls, Hayley Garner aka AYLO.
“I’m excited to see every day spaces transformed into landmarks of creativity and connection.
“What makes this even more special is welcoming world-class artists I’ve met on my journey, many of whom will be painting in Greater Manchester for the first time. They are amongst the best in the world and to bring them to my hometown is a real honour.”
Common Walls International Mural Festival is coming to Rochdale from Sunday 7 September to Sunday 14 September, and you can find out more information and further Greater Manchester Town of Culture listings online HERE.
Featured Images – Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)
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Drag Race UK winner Kyran Thrax plans PERFECT Manchester day out ahead of hosting all-new racing event
Thomas Melia
Ahead of hosting the cleverly-named Drag Race event ‘Glam Prix’ in the city centre, Kyran Thrax plans their perfect day out in Manchester.
Now it’s not a secret that Manchester is home to music royalty, but this city has always been a must-visit for various celebrities – including Drag Race UK season six winner Kyran Thrax.
This talented performer has spent plenty of time in the city centre and is now sharing their Manchester city centre hotspots ahead of their upcoming appearance at entertainment venue Chaos Karts for ‘Glam Prix’.
Kyran Thrax and a whole host of Drag Queens are coming to Chaos Karts for their ‘Glam Prix’ event in Manchester / Credit: Supplied
Thrax begins the day with a light walk through Urbis to reminisce their teenage years, and a must-have time has to be a “three pound can of cider”.
From this, our horizons and tastebuds take a two-minute journey to the always-beautiful Corn Exchange ,which houses a huge selection of food options – but this performer loves one spot in particular.
A special shoutout to the team at the Italian eatery’s city centre site as the performer notes: “[Vapiano] never hits as hard as it does in Manchester”.
After munching down on some much-needed carbs and cheesy goodness, the Drag Race UK winner must pay a visit to not one, but over 60 independent retailers, as they take us toAfflecks.
Afflecks is one of Thrax’s favourite spots and with a huge selection of independent retailers we can see why / Credit: The Manc Group
The UK Drag Queen reveals a fun fact about themselves, noting: “I actually got my nipple pierced in Afflecks and she’s still going strong”.
Now that we’re dazzling in vintage fashion, jewellery, accessories and an all-new nipple piercing courtesy of this independent shopping hub, a night out on Canal Street is definitely necessary.
The Drag Queen has frequented this party paradise, also known as Gay Village, many times and has even performed on various stages.
Thrax recounts: “I was on stage so late that when I left it was daylight. Everyone was going to work with their briefcases and I’m here, 30 inch wig, face immaculate, but my beard’s coming through,” – a stellar night out, if you ask us.
Gay Village is known for throwing some of the best parties including Manchester Pride Festival / Credit: The Manc Group
Kyran Thrax will be hosting Manchester’s first-ever Drag Queen Drag Race event ‘Glam Prix’ at Chaos Karts in Manchester with a team of iconic performers who are ready to take to the tracks.
The event, which cleverly combines both meanings of the phrase Drag Race, takes place just days before Manchester Pride Festival 2025, on Wednesday 20 August.
Although a whole host of Drag performers have been announced, there’s also chance for three lucky members of the public to try and secure pole positions by racing alongside these UK Queens.
If you fancy attending and racing as part of the ‘Glam Prix’ event at Chaos Karts, you can find all the information you need as well as your chance to enter HERE.
Danny Jones -
28th February 2023 
