So, here it is, your first chance to party under five fresh years of an elected government, just like your celebrated leaders would undoubtedly demand of you were they not incredibly drunk themselves, jubilantly or otherwise... After a busy Bank Holiday, the focus seems very much on the ole techno, along with the cheeky hip hop stylings of Mr. Tim Westwood! Here's to another five years eh? Hello? Is this thing on?
Breach - Sankeys, Radium Street, Friday
Few UK house producers can command the attention of both the mainstream and heads contingent, but Breach is a bonafide success in that mold, reflected in this (nearly) all night long trip behind the decks. Real name Ben Westbeech, his musical history includes a singer-songwriter based solo LP on Giles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings, but he was greeted with true crossover success with the release of the anthemic ‘Jack’ several years ago. Fortunately for Sankeys ravers, Westbeech’s tastes and sensibilities run deep, and Breach should be at his moody, unpredictable best for the course of the evening.
Tim Westwood - Suede, Longworth Street, Friday
‘The big dog’ himself, Tim Westwood exists in a sort of world beyond parody these days, but for all the overuse of his ubiquitous, ridiculous catchphrases, Westwood was once a pivotal and vital figure in the export of UK hip hop who also earned massive respect among his US peers. Of course, don’t expect anything as revelatory at Suede, which will likely involve a lot of classics, contemporary smooth stuff and lots of Westwood himself, who’s never shy and usually pretty explicit behind the mic… Not for the faint hearted.
Selective Hearing - Secret Warehouse, Friday
Selective Hearing’s fifth anniversary celebrations rumble to a close after a manic month of gritty warehouse parties that tick along nicer than most of yer actual clubs. Closing the cross-Pennine series in typically dynamic fashion are the Livity Sound crew, whose sounds spans from a dubby techno aesthetic, to gritty house and various sonic experimentalism. On the bill are the label’s three founders - Peverelist, Asusu and Kowton, whose recent, housier solo works have been outstanding in their own right - as well as the usually pummelling Tessela, now signed to classic rave label R&S. The Selective Hearing and Project 13 residents provide extra sounds. Don’t wear nice shoes!
meandyou - Soup Kitchen, Stevenson Square, Saturday
For the uninitiated, meandyou is a proper rave up that’s rooted in great house and techno, and yet not always afraid to take things a little further in terms of sonic weirdness, and dare we say it, experimental forms. And while an international lineup of progressive producers have been known to clamour at for a gig, this edition keeps it nice and local but no less interesting than per usual. Obsessed with both VHS and vinyl, Sean Canty is a Manchester local and one half of hugely celebrated duo Demdike Stare, whose bone shaking underground records have made them internationally influential, as they continue to defy both genre and expectation. Also in residence are co-founders Lyster and Herron.