Saying that Friday night @ The Warehouse Project was epic would be a massive understatement. Bringing what could only be described as an indoor festival to Trafford Park, with a ridiclous lineup of superstar DJ’s, an incredible main stage and visuals, 3 packed rooms of deliriously happy ravers, dancing in the dirty authentic warehouse just outside Manchester city centre, (literally opposite Old Trafford), delivered a very Good Friday of clubbing.
Getting to the venue seemed trickier than it should be, a lot of people struggled with bus timetables and taxi’s didn’t seem to know the venue existed. If you are going this evening or to any future events at the new Trafford Whard Road venue, simply ask them to drive to, “Trafford Road, near to Chester Road, opposite Old Trafford”, it’s signed from here and will most likely be heaving with revellers. You will know it when you get there!
Gaining entry to the venue, was just like a festival, think Creamfields, in the dark, with a muddy warehouse in Manchester instead of a muddy field in Warrington. Security are everywhere, slightly intimidating on first approach but stay out of trouble and they won’t be any but should keep the venue safe. Once you are past the sniffer dogs and huge door staff, welcome to the party.
The Venue
Ok, so the venue is huge. There is a monster of a club room dubbed Room 1, where headliners Axwell and Prydz burst DMM’s eardrums. The room is as mad as one of the larger tents at Creamfields /Global Gathering, with bars at the back so you can refill your drinks without having to leave the party. Room 2 and 3 are smaller in scale but no less manic, a little more intimate, the DJ’s are closer and the whole room felt more of a large underground house party than an epic and slightly intimidating festival of madness that was Room 1. Do not mis-understand this, Room 2 and 3 are still absolutely incredible, friendlier, exciting club night in themselves, so when conjoining them all together…What a venue.
There is also a good chillout area at the back, reminiscent of the old chill out area at Store St. Very dark, watch the tables about shin height in the middle of the room (#healthandsafetywarning) but again another bar, slightly quieter music and a good place to catch your breath, chat up some nice girls / guys, start a mini dance off or simply meet up with lost friends. Whatever floats your boat. our hula hoop dance off in Room 2 was incredible, about 15 random people joined in without hesitation and turned it into the robot / chicken dance / random break-dancing and body-popping circle of comedy rather than serious dancing. Needless to say, bar a few over-exhilerated clubbers, it was a great atmosphere
The Music
We could have promised that the music would have been insane. In fact we did and the line-up did not disappoint. John Digweed, Joris Voorn and Nic Fanciulli lead the team in Room 2, with deep, intimate sets. WHP resident Krysko and Jeremy Olander opened the show in Room 1, with a stunning set from James Zabiela warming the crowd up for the legend that is Eric Prydz.
Prydz stole the show with what we thought was an unbeatable set of dirty, loud and well produced house music. Stunning visuals on the humongous (not sure it’s even a word but we’re sticking with it) screens, light effects and smoke machines filling the hall. The crowd erupted with Pyjanoo, while DMM tried to squeeze our way to the front doing the “can’t-really-move-but-going-to-try-and-dance-on-the-spot-anyways dance”.
Swedish House Mafia DJ and Dance Music Manchester favourite, Axwell then took to the decks, with his intro riff on repeat, “Manchester are you ready? / Are you ready Manchester”.
Manchester was not ready. It took off.
James, DMM
With a blend of his ecclectic DJ set and an array of his more well-known solo / SHM chart singles, Nothing But Love, Leave The World Behind, One, Miami To Ibiza and recent chart destroyer Antidote. (FYI: We still haven’t found an antidote, watch this space…) . The crowd loved it, as did we, with Axwell’s experience playing in front of ridiculous crowds of varying sizes showing through, taking the crowd to new highs then slowing it down with the build up for the next screamer of a tune. #unbelievable.
Warehouse Revellers
The People
The crowd was a good mix, the underground house party scene, the meat-head blokes, pretty hippie dance festival girls to the stunning but far too dressed up WAG lasses, who may have over-estimated the dress code. Word of advice, keep it light, no jumpers. Keep it smart but not your favourite dress / shoes and if you wear white pumps. They will be brown / black when you leave. It’s a proper rave, more of a festival than a club and definitely not a posh bar. Look good but don’t regret it the next day!
The Night
Incredible, mad, atmospheric, dirty and loud. Minus the bottlenecks between bars / rooms / loos, a phenomenal achievement to top Store St. Can the WHP team keep it up? Hopefully. We can however emphasize how excited we are for round 2 tonight.
The Warehouse Project Photo Gallery on Facebook
Warehouse Project Easter Lineup and Venue Photos
Easter Weekend in Manchester Clubbing Preview
