Manchester spring club guide FT Freak Queer Rave, Stevie Cox, Finn & OK Williams

The Loft is quickly becoming an institution, tucked away in M40, it’s a haven for headsy minimal and much more. This Easter they welcome Freak Queer Rave, who invite house and breaks DJ of the moment, Eris Drew for a four-hour set alongside Aiden Francis and High Hoops. 

After a lively launch party at Eastern Bloc, new house and techno promoters, Hyper Violet are throwing an all-day bash at the heaviest pub in Manchester. They invite two of Glasgow’s finest in the shape of Sub Club residents, Stevie Cox and Linnemann. Get there bright and early for doors at 12.

Berlin-based selector, Darwin has been making waves with her aquatic party REEF, label SPE:C and climate action collective Clean Scene. Her penchant for dubstep, garage and everything in-between has made her appearances on lineups a great cause for excitement. Don’t be surprised to hear techno, jungle and breakbeat too.

The name LCY has become a mainstay in recent years. Their label SZNS7N has brought fierce sounds from Bristol to the forefront while moving into the ambient sphere of late. The now London-based DJ heads up a 12 hour May Bank Holiday alongside fellow Londoner and More Time Records boss, Ahadadream and a host of Manchester’s finest including Yung Will, fresh off the plane from South America.

These two NTS regulars will be going toe to toe all night long in the SOUP basement, undoubtedly throwing punches with their deep bags of all things lively. OK’s moody but energetic blends of breaks, techno and left of centre electro should be a magical marriage with Finn’s tendency to dive into speed garage and r’n’b classics.