While there’s a small chance we might all be cooped up indoors avoiding a virus next month, the show must go on. So without further ado, here’s our round up of the finest parties toasting good health in April.
Highly esteemed selector Gilles Peterson returns to Manchester for the first time since Parklife last year, for a headline slot at the enormous Gorilla. His reputation as one of the most veteran DJs in the world was solidified even further after the success of his new UK festival, We Out Here, last summer. After nearly 40 years of championing jazz, world music as well as every other genre you can think of, Gilles is second to none when it comes to eclecticism. He’s joined by Manchester based NTS resident, SNO.
UK techno visionary Daniel Avery teams up with Salford warehouse the White Hotel for 11 hours of live music, A/V and DJs. With 7 acts on the bill, curated by the man himself, this is sure to be a journey into Avery’s deeply experimental tastes. Recent collaborator and Nine Inch Nails member Alessandro Cortini will be doing his live A/V set alongside live performances from Aïsha Devi and Hiro Kone. Much hyped Mor Elian, NTS Manchester resident Hesska and Death in Vegas frontman Richard Fearless grace the decks, completing a weighty line up and night of entertainment.
The people behind Transmission Funk begin their 2020 with a 12 hour shindig at the freshest warehouse in Manchester, Progress Centre. The hardly used venue looks enormous, and will boast views of the Manc-hattan skyline – fingers crossed for the usual jaw-dropping sunset. Details on the party are limited but at just £8 it’s worth the risk in our opinion, with top notch sound promised, along with installations, projections, lighting and special effects. With previous guests like Pangaea, Horse Meat Disco and Detroit Swindle they’re sure to have some tricks up their sleeve.
NTS Programme Director Debonair packs her bag for a whole night of discovery into all things raw, from heavy EBM to full on post-punk. Her radio shows are known for their eclecticism, drawing in influence from every corner of underground dance music and have been running since 2011, making it one of the longest on the station. Catch her in a club and it’s a sweaty yet unpredictable affair, with her high energy sets scattered with curveballs. Not to be missed.
This Easter Sunday special sees Northern Irish aficionado Or:la take on The White Hotel. After a last minute cancellation to her gig in December due to illness she’s back to show the Coronavirus who’s boss. Her new Céad label had its 3rd release this February, a various artists EP whose profits all went toward the Australian fire fund. Or:la has come a long way since her breakthrough in 2017, going on to become a staple appearance on many a techno line up. Her all night long sets are a hell of a lot more than just techno though, except a ton of breakbeats, electro, acid awash with atmosphere.
- Words:
- Leo Burrell
- Published on:
- Thu 12 Mar 2020
This massive collaboration between Belfast’s infamous AVA Festival and Manchester’s long standing Zutekh sees 3 of the most in demand acts around headline Depot’s concourse. House and disco stalwart MCDE tops the bill above dutch maestro Young Marco and London based duo Chaos in the CBD, famed for their high energy jackin’ house sets. They’re joined by Marion Hawkes, who’ll be repping the Northern Irish after her killer opening set at AVA’s Boiler Room last year, a platform that only seems to be growing in importance. Zutekh resident DJs complete the line up.