New Years Eve’s what you make of it. While it’s easy to get caught up in endless chilly taxi queues and bolshy crowds, there are several Manchester parties this season that either cut the fat or promise something extra special to lure you away from the Hootenanny. You can find just a selection of said parties listed below. Stay safe, and have a goodun' for us.
Albert Hall - New Years Eve and New Year’s Day, £19.50
After a 2015 that saw the grandiose Manchester venue cemented as an outright success within the city, especially with the opening of Bavarian tinged ‘Albert’s Schloss’ next door, both their New Years parties impress with their lineups for both New Years Eve and New Years Day. The former is set to impress with a host of talent from Black Butter Records, a label ubiquitous over the last year or two thanks to acts like Rudimental and Preditah, both of whom will be DJing on the night. Equally exciting is an appearance from the always rabble rousing dub and dancehall legend David Rodigan MBE, and further flawless party starting from Mele, and Oneman B2B with his Bristol brethren, My Nu Leng. Lazers, CO2 cannons and a barrage of lasers are promised to accompany the madness, naturally.
The following day, both Albert Hall and the aforementioned Albert’s Schloss are both open ‘As One’ for a two room party running from 8PM-5AM, exclusively focused on a more house, techno and disco oriented aesthetic than the previous evening’s heavy handed aesthetic. Following on from his recent, classy ‘Knockin’ Boots’ LP, Julio Bashmore headlines, joined by reliable tastemakers Bicep, Heidi and the sublime Shanti Celeste. There’s also a strong local showing from Luke Unabomber, Krysko, Will Tramp and the boys from Joy Social.
Warehouse Project - New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, £35
After another successful season, it looks like the enduringly popular WHP is remaining at Store Street for the foreseeable future. They celebrate New Years Eve and Day with two powerful lineups, the first on NYE revisiting some of the biggest, bassiest crowd pleasers from the season in the form of MK, Hannah Wants, Catz N’ Dogz and Miguel Campbell. Expect a very up for it crowd and atmosphere. The following day ‘10 Years Of The Warehouse Project’ leans more towards the dark house and techno welcome beneath the arches, with Nina Kraviz, Adam Beyer and Robert Hood as Floorplan rumbling through the venue, while Midland, Job Jobse and B Traits are set to keep the tone a little lighter but no less pumping. Both parties are currently sold out, and with a whole twelve hours of partying between 5PM-5AM, if you’ve got a ticket, we strongly recommend at least some sleep beforehand. If you haven’t got a ticket, eyes out for touts for these parties especially.
Superstar Funhouse - Islington Mill, New Year’s Eve, £15
For a truly wild, unpredictable and annually unusual party, Salford’s creative powerhouse of creativity Islington Mill may well be the right spot for you and your open minded pals, right through until 8AM. This year’s edition, ‘Superstar Funhouse’, promises a three room edition where “money, success, fame and glamour await you.” On the decks are Drunk at Vogue honcho Thom Docking, the memorably monikered CVNT Traxxx, the less memorably monikered Fred, Andy Bailey and many more, while former kings of Common, Stop Making Sense, get their own playroom with special guests John Loveless and Average DJ Dave. The music policy ranges from shameless pop and disco classics to rollicking underground techno, but expecting the unexpected is pretty much par for the course for the evening, from the wild decor to the all over the shop soundtrack.
Keep It Unreal - Granada Studios, New Years Eve, £25
Mr. Scruff’s New Years Eve sessions in his beloved Manchester have become something of legend throughout the years. Usually taking place at Band On The Wall, this year the party switches across town to the old Granada Studios space. Devotees should fear not, however, as Band On The Wall themselves will be providing a hefty sound system for the occasion, not to mention their usual fine collection of ales. As well as the inimitable, genre spanning taste of Scruff, his pals including Qool DJ Marv and Kelvin Brown will be representing on deck, while the relentlessly enthusiastic and utterly charismatic MC Kwasi can be found on the mic all night long.
Girls on Film Vs Higher Ground Vs Goo - The Deaf Institute, £14/17
The Deaf Institute’s three premier nights join forces to occupy the whole building in order to kick off one massive party to ring in 2016, and offering something for everyone if you’re out with a larger group. In the Music Hall, Girls on Film hold fort with non-stop 80s classics from beginning to end, whereas the Main Bar is given over to Higher Ground’s broad ranging 60s selections. Finally, the scuzzy indie sounds of Goo are happily lurking in the intimate basement.
Tribal Sessions - Sankeys, New Years Eve, £1
Sankeys legendary, leading club brand returns for NYE with Matthias Tanzmann, Dan Drastic and Jozef K.
You Dig? - Soup Kitchen, New Years Eve, £10
No nonsense NYE clubbing keeping it ‘plain and simple’ in their own words, as You Dig present a celebratory marathon session of funk, soul, disco and latin flavours. DJs are set to occupy both floors of Soup Kitchen, and include Simon Ham, Diesler, Jon Halasz and Kappa.
Funkademia - Mint Lounge, New Years Eve, £10/15
Needing no introduction at this stage, Funkademia continues its two decade long, crowd pleasing party streak with a straight-up NYE bash of classic funk, house, disco and soul tunes from the resident team of DJs.