Skrillex. Just the mention of his name or the distinctive sounds of his music evokes a reaction; he’s certainly one of those dominating artists who most hold a strong opinion. There’s the lovers, who worship this American electronic producer’s genre-defying stuff, would give him a high-five and wouldn’t hesitate to say he’s a bit of a music legend. But for all the Skrillex fans you’ve got those whose ears cannot physically tolerate the banging, the heaviness, the utter mentalness of his material and accuse him of ruining everything the ‘dubstep’ genre stands for.

Whatever you think of Skrillex there’s no denying he knows how to smash up a crowd – and that crowd will soon be right here in Manchester at the Warehouse Project on Thursday 6^th December -prepared for it to get well and truly destroyed.

Breakin’ A Sweat – WHP style

A few months back this very special addition to the WHP 2012 programme was announced and very quickly caused a bit of a stir: the lovers and haters both voicing what they thought of the news. It’s hard to please everyone but I was quite surprised at the clear divide of comments being made to the Warehouse Project who, credit to them, are open to widening the typical ‘genres’ and offering something for everyone’s tastes throughout the line-up.

From, “I’d rather shit in my hands and clap” to “Big addition. Mean feat getting the biggest act in the world currently to come out especially.” and “Great to see! Skrillex was unbelievable at Belsonic last week and he would do wonders with the WHP sound system!” …I know which side I’m on. But that’s beside the point; Skrillex has chosen to come and put the new WHP venue through its paces. He’s not on tour or even scheduled to be in the country but he’s flying in for this exclusive UK date; Manchester should be proud and we should champion this. Skrillex is, after all, the name that’s leading the change and shaking up the popularity and direction of dance music, electro and dub step.

Let’s make Manchester go ‘Bangerang’

After seeing him at Creamfields (before the near-apocalyptic floods!) I have to say, having seen many a band / DJ set / artist at either a festival or venue and been totally blown away, Skrillex absolutely beyond surpassed my expectations. Now, I’m known to be a bit of a wild one in a crowd or on a dance floor but wow, I don’t think I’ve raved as hard as I did in the BBC Radio 1 Xtra tent on that Saturday night.

Roll on Thursday and get ready for the mentalness and awesomeness Skrillex will bring with him – I’m eating fun dip right now.

Line-up update

Only the other day we heard who else was going to be smashing the crowd up alongside Skrillex: DJs from the same dub-loving, bass-throwing, beat-smashing crowd: Alvin Risk, Baauer and Uz. And what we as DMM were most excited about is that Manchester’s very own Ninjury, the Bass Jockeys and Matt Riley will be dominating the other rooms on the night. Fair to say we’re spoilt for choice and expect to be completely destroyed by Friday…bring it on!

We just heard it through the grapevine that Skrillex’s insane DJ style, Ellie Goulding’s beautiful, angellic voice and epic house music producers the Swedish House Mafia have been combined into one genre busting, hybrid single that will somehow burn our faces off whilst simultaneously caressing it delicately. What on Earth will this sound like. We cannot wait!

Dance Music Manchester’s long term friend, (he doesn’t know but we do), Sebastian Ingrosso, 1/3 of the Swedish House Mafia stated that the session was “no pressure, just fun”.

We made a demo and it was amazing; we had a blast… Ellie is a great artist… her voice is amazing. Skrillex, enough said, he is Skrillex.

#madness.

With an incredible line-up announcement earlier this year, Hideoout Festival 2012, has had a massive amount of interest and tickets for Croatia’s World famous summer festival will be selling out fast. The exotic Isle of Pag, Croatia hosted the 2011 dance music festival and made huge waves amongst fans with its extensive line-up and idyllic location. Hideout 2012 is set to come back with a vengeance, as it supersedes the calibre set by the previous event and threatens to offer ticket holders the festival of a lifetime.

2012 Line-up Additions

This year the full festival site will open up on the Thursday evening, to add to the week’s entertainment. The programme for the night will be made up of residents, club partners and local talent, but kicking things off in immense style are two brand new additions to the line-up, both notorious DJ’s in their own right. Pioneering drum and bass originator from Brazil DJ Marky will host Kalypso, while Kompakt records founder and time-honoured techno influencer Micheal Mayer will take the helm in Papaya.

Two New Diverse Arenas

Hideout organisers have added not one but two new arenas to the programme, to accommodate the extensive line-up and for even more island enjoyment. This time around Zrce Beach’s Kalypso night club will be fully utilised as an arena during the festival. Recognised for its idyllic setting, thatch-roofed bars, beds, parasols and Palm Trees, this venue promises to bring club island paradise at its best. A far cry from Dance Music Manchester’s regular hangouts at the muddy Warrington fields of Creamfields festival, Global Gathering and Glastonbury’s wellington boots! (Not that we don’t absolutely love our festival wellies!)

As well as this, in place is a 5th arena, Hideout Beach Party, situated just up the road from Papaya, where a host of the festival’s DJ’s and club partners, as well as local acts, will be bringing some alternative party vibes. This addition will provide somewhere to warm up the night or recharge batteries before heading back to the festival’s main stages.

Camping

In line with the 2 new arenas, there is also increased accommodation space with the introduction of an all-new Hideout campsite, offering a most authentic experience. A campsite just a short distance from the festival’s location will give festival-goers the opportunity to sleep in the great Croatian outdoors, amongst the sounds of the sea from Saint Spirit (Sveti Duh) beach, neighbouring to Zrce.

The campsite will be complete with showers, toilet facilities, drinking water, a shop for basic amenities, a choice of 3 restaurants and regular buses running to and from the festival site. Hideout have also teamed up with UK Based Pod Pads to offer a premium camping experience.

More Boat Parties

This year there are no less than 16 boat parties setting sail from Novalja throughout the course of the week, running from Wednesday 27 th June to Sunday 1st July. Each vessel will be commandeered by a carefully chosen selection of the hottest labels and finest artists on today’s dance music scene and headed up by some of the most superlative artists in the main festival line-up.

Boat parties were deemed by many to be one of the chief highlights of Hideout 2011 and this year are set to excel themselves. Already sold-out, this year’s boats will offer the ultimate mix of acts, labels and club partners for 16 unforgettable parties just off the shores of Croatia’s Isle of Pag.

Introducing Hideout Daytime

Like the boat parties weren’t enough, this year Hideout Festival will host a colourful spectrum of onshore daytime Hideout Daytime activities in and around Zrce Beach. Like last year, pool parties will take place, at which some of the festival’s headline acts, as well as local extra talent, will perform – details for which are to be announced at a later date.

Brand New Installations

As a final garnish to the new and improved Hideout experience this year organisers are serving up, a range of atmospheric installations which will be constructed in and around the festival. Lighting up your pathways and providing beautiful spaces in which to party, fascinating decor will become the backdrop to the music. Geodomes will provide chill out areas and extra special Hideout branded décor will align each corridor and illuminate every corner.

2012 early bird tickets have already sold out and despite the unbridled sell-out success of last year’s inaugural festival, standard tickets remain at a mere £99 for all the 3 nights.
Line-Up

NEW ADDITIONS:
DJ Marky / Michael Mayer

FULL LINE UP:

Ricardo Villalobos / Chase & Status DJ set
Loco Dice / Annie Mac / Skream & Benga
Jamie Jones / Seth Troxler
SUB FOCUS DJ SET / SBTRKT DJ Set
Special guest: Skrillex

Andy C / Claude Von Stroke / DJ Fresh / Erol Alkan /
Four Tet & Caribou b2b DJ set / Maceo Plex /
Maya Jane Coles / Simian Mobile Disco / Tiga /

Aeroplane / Art Department / Artwork / Ben Klock Breakage / BORGORE / Damian Lazarus / FRICTION / Heidi /
High Contrast / Hype / Jack Beats / Jackmaster / Julio Bashmore /
Kerri Chandler / Nina Kraviz / Pearson Sound /
Prins Thomas / Redlight / RUSTIE / Scuba / Shy FX / Soul Clap /
Space Dimension Controller / Toddla T / Zinc /

Ben UFO / Camo and Krooked / Citizen/ Doorly / Eats Everything / Gavin Herlhy / Geddes / Kyle Hall /
Paul Woolford / Ralph Lawson / Richy Ahmed /
Robert James / Simon Baker / Stopmakingme/ Subb An / Youngman

Bowski/ Cera Alba / Death on the Balcony / Eskimo Twins /
Krysko & Greg Lord (WHP Residents) / Mak & Pasteman / Matt Long / Matthew Hoag /
Mike Jones / North Base / People Get Real / Pero Fullhouse /
Steppa/ The Sonic Emporium / Tonn Piper

MC’S Dread, DRS, GQ, IC3, ID, Rage, Sgt Pokes, Tonn Piper, WREC

Boat and Pool Parties Hosted By:
Bigger Than Barry / Chibuku / Crosstown Rebels / Drop The Mustard / Face / Hot Creations / Jaunt / Just Jack / Metropolis / Mono Cult / Mulletover / Sonido / WAX:ON / We Own / Zutekh