CityLife

Warehouse Project 2009: Our pick of the acts

ANNIE MAC: "Which one do I press?"

THE Warehouse Project rumbles into life on Friday, 25 September, heralding the start of a run which will see a host of familiar faces and new talent heading to Store Street for a mashup 'neath the arches.

Alongside perennial big hitters such as Erol Alkan – who slayed crowds at last year’s Project and again during the Easter specials – and Simian Mobile Disco, a host of first-time and other very special guests will make the trip to Manchester for the events, which run for 15 weeks.

Here, we present our pick of the acts to look out for at the Warehouse Project 2009: who’s who and what they do.

We have also devised a helpful and very handy way of rating how significant each act’s appearance in Manchester is (expressed in terms of how big they would be if they were a bird, obviously) and an excitement factor given out of 1000, for your cut-out-and-keep reference purposes.

Bear with us.

The Scary IDM Pioneer: Aphex Twin
This is bigger than a family of elephants. The Banksy of experimentechno is rarely seen out these days so seeing his name on the bill came as a massive surprise. Richard D James will headline a Rephlex party in week 2.
When: Friday 2 October
Significance (in bird terms): Philippine Eagle
Excitement factor (out of 1000): 957.5

The Usual Suspects: Simian Mobile Disco
This lot are a regular fixture at WHP events but with a new album to promote they will no doubt be looking to up their game. Expect gigantic tunes from Temporary Pleasure as two blokes with erratic hair struggle to upstage their lighting.
When: Saturday 3 October
Significance: Swan
Excitement factor: 847

The Indie Special Guests: Friendly Fires
The best band of at least the past three years bring their percussive thrills and bendy dancing to the Project in week 8. With a strong line in dance music-influenced indie, you can be sure they’ll throw out the odd rave cover or two.
When: Friday 13 November
Significance: A large owl
Excitement factor: 912

The One-Hit Wonder*: Deadmau5
Deadmau5, of I Remember fame, will be making a live appearance in week 3. With a fantastic reputation among ‘those in the know’ not yet matched by his mainstream profile, it’ll be interesting to see the mass market appeal of this set.
When: Friday 9 October
Significance: Pheasant
Excitement factor: 823
*NOTE: Actual number of hits TBC

The D’n’B Legend: Goldie
A surprise appearance from the Nineties’ favourite drum and bass producer (he did a record with Noel Gallagher once, you know) will see the shiny-toothed man head north for a headline slot at the opening Hospitality party.
When: Friday 25 September
Significance: Pigeon
Excitement factor: 798

The One Who Doesn't Smile: La Roux
Famously serious Elly Jackson and the guy she makes music with have a chance to shine with a powerful WHP set, which hopefully will be less shrill, more In For The Kill (we’re here all week) than the red-haired one’s early shows.
When: Saturday 21 November
Significance: Ostrich
Excitement factor: 770

The One To Sell Limbs For: Annie Mac Presents
The Real Saviour of Radio 1, the ever heart-able Annie Mac, has done more to push new sounds down people’s ears in the last few years than an entire army of megaphone-wielding street preachers. At Warehouse Project 2009 she doesn’t disappoint, bringing with her a lineup that you would be mad – or just very unlucky – to miss out on, including sets from Major Lazer (superproducer supergroup feat. Diplo and Switch), Buraka Som Sistema, heroic remixer Fake Blood (another near-anonymous man making a rare appearance), Skream, Toddla T and the lady herself.
When: Saturday 28 November
Significance: An eagle carrying a rhino that has just swallowed a small planet
Excitement factor: 2407

Other honourable mentions in the amazingly stuffed programme go to: Fatboy Slim (he’s not dead! – 27 November); the Ape birthday party (10 October); Delphic (3 October); the Metropolis birthday party (6 November); Aeroplane (16 October) and Little Boots (29 November).

In addition to the acts already announced, the Warehouse Project will be revealing further special parties featuring as-yet-unnamed guests (18 October and 14 November), and the showpiece NYE/Day finale, later in the year. Stay tuned to CityLife.co.uk for all the latest details.

Tickets for some Warehouse Project events are still available. For more info click the link to the right.