CityLife

New clubbing term starts with a bang

BACK WITH A BANG: The Warehouse Project

SOME of you may be visiting this site for the first time, having just moved to Manchester. Others might be returning to it after the summer holidays, while more still will have been with us along.

If you fall into the last category, you’ll know that, clubbing-wise, town has a tendency to go quieter than Taylor Swift during a stage invasion over the summer months.

The annual student exodus, coupled with this year’s economic woes, has made for one of the most sedate summers to date.

It’s not all been tumbleweed – Sankeys has spent the past few months celebrating its 15th anniversary with a superb programme, while mainstays such as Funkademia and Clique have been broadcasting all summer to their loyal patrons – but several clubbers have remarked to CityLife how quiet it’s been, particularly on Friday nights.

Nevertheless, things are about to get a whole lot more noisy again, as the nights draw in and the scholars make their weary return to town, a host of new ‘n’ exciting clubbing events are about to kick off.

Allow us, then, like a tutor at a hairdressing college, to guide you through the highlights.

#1 Students Return

We’ve just said it, but the autumnal influx of booksmarts to Manchester always brings with it a new wave of clubnights, along with the return of those which have been on hiatus.

There are some intriguing prospects looming over the next few months, with launches in the shape of Content (house, techno, disco), Trash-O-Rama (anything goes) and Zombies Ate My Decks (nu disko, ghetto bass, amazing name) looking the most promising.

Meanwhile, Up The Racket returns to Mondays in the basement at Joshua Brooks, bringing with it the latest and greatest in indie and alt.dance. They’ll also be staging another of their trademark head-to-heads with Revolver later in the month at Jabez Clegg.

Murkage is back too, at the revamped One Central Street (now called No. 1 Club), having had their summer holiday at Fallowfield’s Corner bar (where the popular Mashup night continues). After switching to Thursday nights, the pressure will be on the Cartel to make even more of an impact in the 2009/10 season.

#2 The Warehouse Project

For the uninitiated, The Warehouse Project is basically a big party under a train station where several of the world’s hottest dance properties come every year to play exclusive sets.

This year is no exception, with highlights from the stuffed programme including Aphex Twin, Simian Mobile Disco, Friendly Fires and Annie Mac (with a Presents... lineup that is worth selling limbs to get into).

There has been some debate as to whether the Project’s tendency to come along at the end of the year and bag all the big names is healthy for Manchester’s clubbing scene, but in bringing some of the world’s finest talent to town you could hardly call it detrimental.

The WHP rumbles into life next week, with two special launch events featuring Goldie, High Contrast, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso.

Oh, you can also look out for proof that Fatboy Slim is not dead on the 27 November, as the Brighton Big Beater rolls into town on a carpet of colourful shirts and whimsical acid references.

#3 Ch-ch-changes

In addition to the numerous venue shifts and night switches, there is a selection of new developments taking place at those clubs which are staying put.

Uber glam digital disco Clique goes weekly from next week onwards, with promoters Damien and Ian promising to bring more special guests to their Mint Lounge home, while also unleashing a series of remixes upon the world.

High-ballin’ ghetto wobble party Contort Yourself is also ringing in the changes, welcoming a new lot of residents – including Team Yeah and Murkage Cartel’s Natalie Esquire – to the fray, all of whom should be operational by the time the night’s third birthday party rolls around (17 October, with Filthy Dukes).

Perhaps the daddy of revamps in Sankeys, who unveiled 15 different tweaks, including ice cannons and lasers, to the venue this summer. The highlight of their programme heading towards the end of the year looks to be a set from former Manc students The Chemical Brothers on November 20.

Stay tuned to CityLife.co.uk for all the latest on these events and more.