What's On | October
We were always going to miss the summer, we already are. But one thing consoles us during these post summer lows year after year. The darker, colder winter nights always end up bringing a range of exciting and well curated line ups to the mass of electronic hollows scattered around the uk. We’ve got five unmissable recommendations for you...
Meat Free x Mord Records Showcase @ Mantra Warehouse, Manchester | 1st October
For those of you up North this coming weekend, I can only say Manchester’s the city to be in. Amongst several stella nights across the city welcoming back hords of students and saying a final farewell to the summer, two class big-room techno nights take the limelight: Hidden’s clubnight with UK heavyweights Blawan and James Ruskin, and then Meat Free’s Mord showcase.
Meat Free is a techno night that’s been hosting the best artists from across the globe since 2013. It’s held parties at Manchester’s best acclaimed venues, from the basement vibes of Soup Kitchen to Manchester’s latest warehouse space, Mantra Warehouse – the big brother of Mantralive. The venue opened last April hosting the Meat Free’s 20 years anniversary party for Blueprint Records, where Helena Hauff laid down 3 hrs of gut-wrenching electro and storming techno. This Saturday sees the warehouse’s second full techno lineup, this time from Rotterdam-based label, MORD.
Expect heavy, earth-shuddering techno label boss, Bas Mooy, UVB and Zadig. The label also welcomes one of the scene’s more peculiar profiles, Ukrainian Stanislav Tolkachev. Although his music may not be everyone’s taste, his paranoid, creepy sound can only be praised as unique. There are two other live sets from Sleeparchive and SHXCXCHCXSH displaying more of the dramatic and hypnotic side of the genre.
All in all, it’s showcases like these; sincere promoters like Meat Free who consider themselves to be running a ‘rave co-operative’, and new venues like Hidden and Mantra, that make Manchester a very exciting city to be in for dance music.
Warm Up presents - Gabriel Ananda & Tim Engelhardt Live @ The Columbian/Corsica Studios | 7th October
Warm Up presents - Gabriel Ananda & Tim Engelhardt LiveOn the 7th of October, ethereal Italian techno stalwart Gabriel Anada will be coming to London to play for one of my favourite new discoveries, Warm Up. A few weekends ago I went to an illegal rave organised by this team on a marshland in North London. It was unforgettable. Every detail was taken care of from music to sound and I have absolute faith that the 7th at The Colombian will be no different. Anada will be joined by Tim Engelhardt performing live and Aidan Doherty, Warm Up’s founder and resident. Make sure you don’t leave before you see Aidan play, he will spin you into a blissful early hour hypnosis that might just make your weekend.
Avant Garde with Kiasmos (Live), Extrawelt (Live), Christian Loftier @ Bankside Vaults | 14th October
On the 14th I will be going to Avant Garde at the Bankside Vaults. Kiasmos, are flying in from Iceland, Extrawelt, Christian Loffler, Lake People and Aparade from Germany. To top this breathtaking line up off, they’re all playing live. This event is packed full of musical talent, make sure you roll if you can, you won’t regret it.
Beats in space: tim sweeney (all night long) @ phonox | 21st october
This month Beats In Space chief Tim Sweeney takes to the stage for an all night special at Brixton's Phonox. The seminal radio show recently hyped up 'the end of the road' for the weekly before quickly turning around on itself announcing yet more sublime DJs. In the coming weeks Andrew Weatherall and Falty DL will feature - not to be missed. But neither is this set from Mr Sweeney himself. Expect a range of sounds and genres all mixed into one spectacular narrative, and where better than the hipster friendly, suit hostile basement that is Phonox. And just to clarify, no...nothing is more irish than Sweeney!
Percolate presents: Andromeda 54 @ Great Suffolk Street Warehouse | 28th October
On Saturday 29th September the UK’s arguably best promoters Percolate are not only taking things to a different dimension but a different galaxy all together, Enter-Intergalactic space party and who better to head up this cosmic get together then a live set by the partystarter Todd Terje, who’s already futuristic take on a disco style will be sure to have those colossal space arches rocking. In support we have Maribou State and Percolate regulars Crazy P and of course long-standing residents Krywald & Farrer will be delivering another of their consistently top draw sets thats earnt them one of the best residency spots on the market. Arch 2 hosts a mixed bag of acts ranging from Brothers of Jah to YoungOnes favorites Real Nice & Jonny Tawn. Expect unique space stage design, giant interplanetary disco balls, custom laser show and cosmic suprises throughout the venue. This is one space shuttle you don’t want to miss. Dresscode: Cosmic Disco Chic.
Chosen by Fred, Chris, Ben S & Ed W-C