There are few things that send the clubbing community into a frenzy quite like the day Warehouse Project release their annual calendar. Hannah Wants vs Boddika caused a stir, fabric's closure caused outrage and Carl Cox's Space finale will be the end of an era, yet nothing comes close to the midsummer morning excitement that arrives with the unveiling of guests from Store Street past, present and future.
This year was no exception - 2016 offers a wonderful selection of artists in a all manner of combinations. Warehouse Project affords the opportunity to showcase not only the world's finest DJs , but also the brands and record labels on which they made their name. It's commendable that many artists are encouraged to curate their own nights, often with spectacular results. Jackmaster runs through the madness of his Mastermix showcase on 5 November, whereby Ricardo Villalobos and Seth Troxler will not only be under one roof but playing back to back. Two of the most eclectic performers on the circuit will be backed up by Marcel Dettmann, Bicep, Gerd Janson and Leon Vynehall. It's mouth-watering stuff.
Carl Cox stops by on 30 December for an extended set as he enters the twilight of his groundbreaking career. But the Ibiza theme doesn't end there. Some of the island's most revered club nights are making a brief sojourn to Manchester, most notably for the elrow Day & Night extravaganza which is fronted by everybody's favourite Bristol-based noisemaker, Eats Everything. Innvervisions boss, Dixon, also brings along his band of merry men on 19 November to represent Circoloco, and Maceo Plex will create a Mosaic consisting of Tale of Us, Roman Flügel and Mano Le Tough.
Yet Warehouse Project is anything but a one trick pony. The UK grime resurgence continues apace as Skepta has invited Giggs, Plastician and Murlo along for the ride, and Metropolis' birthday bash is every bit as genre-spanning as you might expect. Add in the enormous coup of an intimate performance from Nicolas Jaar, a chance to witness Dusky's new live show and slots for Bonobo, Jon Hopkins and DJ Shadow and you really have got something for everyone.
Warehouse Project say that for those four autumn months the city is theirs, and that really is hard to argue with. WHP 16 offers you the chance to see all of your favourite artists as you've never seen them before, and it all begins again on Friday 23 September. A healthy dose of hip-hop, garage, dubstep, jungle and bass awaits those who step inside the launch party, whereas this year's edition of Welcome to the Warehouse sees Drumcode stalwart Adam Beyer lock horns with Joseph Capriati for a night of no-nonsense techno. Choose your poison and save the date for a spot at one of the UK's biggest clubbing institutions.
WORDS | Jonathan Colle