Club nights this week

If you like your house, your techno, your bass or your grime a little off-centre, then this my friend, is a great weekend to be in Manchester. The combined force of Wet Play and Bohemian Grove joining forces has triggered a wormhole at Bangkok Bar, and out on the verge of the city, Selective Hearing are about to fire up the Lobster Theremin. Meanwhile, Swing Ting are taking te step into the world of running a label as an excuse for another sweat soaked dance, and Norway’s finest DJ Sofotett returns to Manchester for mania of the Sex Tags variety. Willing feet and an open mind? Read on...

Wet Play and Bohemian Grove present The Sinkhole Opening
“Bring spare socks”, ominously warns the brief copy promoting this powerhouse collaboration between two of Manchester’s most reliable, not to mention out-there clubnights. Both driven by an ethos of “slammin parties by musically driven people”, the heady techno of Bohemian Grove finally meets the warped boogie and house of Wet Play in a head on celebration of everything worth raving to. Wet Play regulars Kickin Pidge, Randy Marsh, Metrodome and Ste Spandex (who’s just completed his mind bending new LP) will be all in for a friendly face off against the likes of Cottam, Meansand3rd, Vietnam and Damo B. The underused and somewhat surreal surroundings of Bamboo Bar will be kicking until gone 5AM, too.

Lobster Theremin Label Night - Mystery Warehouse Location, Friday
Cross-pennine promoters Selective Hearing have always existed on the cutting edge of house and techno, and so it’s no surprise they’ve tapped the surreally titled Lobster Theremin for one of their underground warehouse parties, the location of which will only be revealed on the night. Headlining the gritty soiree is Berlin’s Palms Trax, behind some of the year’s true underground future classics, such as the jackin’ yet pleasingly euphoric ‘Forever’. On a gritter tip, he’s joined by labelmate Manse, founding Theremin man Asquith, and Selective Hearing’s own Reflec.

Swing Ting - Soup Kitchen, Saturday
Among the country’s finest grime, dancehall and jungle parties, Swing Ting has a devoted and diverse following like no other in Manchester, regularly packing out the basement of Soup Kitchen for big smiles and rewinds galore. With that in mind, it makes perfect sense that it’s crack team of residents - Joey B, Samrai, Platt, Murlo and MC Fox - are finally launching their own label. The debut release pairs the latter with UK veteran Brackles on production duties for the straight-up titled ‘Skank’. Brackles himself will be guesting, and given the night’s dedicated crew of regulars, you might want to call down early on the door to make sure you’re in for the dance.

DJ Sofotett - Q Cavern, Newton Street, Saturday
Dog Eat Dog haven’t been around long in the promoters game, but in an overcrowded market, they’re looking to make a refreshing underground impact. There are no residents on the decks this weekend at Q Cavern, just a desire to have what’s bound to be a very satisfying five hour party with Norway’s DJ Sofotett. While he’s no household name, the DJ, boss of a cult and incredibly reliable vinyl only label, Sex Tags Mania, promises the real deal of one of those club ‘journeys’ you’re always reading about, deviating from house and techno into all sorts of un-Shazzamable obscurities, without ever losing movement and smiles on the dancefloor.