| DJ Sets :: Warehouse Project UK Club
Nights N0.
9 RATED CLUB IN THE WORLD BY
DJ MAG
Warehouse
Project Review...
Warehouse
Project, Picadilly Train Station, Store Street, Manchester,
UK
The Warehouse Project is big in every
way: big guests, big crowds, big expectations and a big venue.
Originally held at the old Boddingtons Brewery, The Warehouse
Project has more recently taken place at Store Street, under
Piccadilly Train Station, and will return for its next stint
in September 2009.
The Venue
For the duration of its run of events things do not get
as exciting as this in Manchester. Searching for this club
can be a bit of mission. It’s located beneath Piccadilly
Train Station in a car park space and its entrance is only
made obvious by the hundreds of ravers’ queuing outside.
Once you have passed through the rigorous search at the door,
you will walk into pretty much exactly what you would expect
from a former air raid shelter that’s more recently
been used as a car park. There’s exposed dirty brickwork,
dark corners, arches and air vents, all of which create a
sparse industrial space. The thing that transforms the venue
is the addition of the stage, the bars, the portaloos and
the hyped crowds of party people, which all help to make this
part of Manchester’s big-time clubbing tradition that
includes Sankeys, The Hacienda, Home and many more. It is
also worth knowing that since the introduction of a second
room, which is located at the rear of the main room, The Warehouse
Project experience has improved dramatically as the dynamic
of having two rooms of live music is infinitely preferable
to just one.
Entry fee varies according to the night, starting at about
£15 and sometimes costs as much as 30 buff if an act
like The Happy Monday’s are on the bill.
The People
The clientele is very mixed, depending on the night. Some
nights its hardcore hip hop and drum and bass heads, others
attract house fans who turn out in their droves for Sasha
or Groove Armada. You get a fair few old ravers praying at
the altar of the 90s, especially when the Hacienda reunion
events come around. There are also a fair few indie types
attracted by the band events and the DJs that blur the lines
between dance and bands, like Simian Mobile Disco and Justice.
Generally TWP attracts people who love to party and it is
safe to say a big proportion of visitors to The Warehouse
Project are students. It does, after all, run from the start
of the student term (at the end of September), right up unto
New Year’s Day. This is not just a coincidence.
The great thing about this venue is the feeling that you
are part of something exhilirating. This is confirmed by the
fact that people swarm from all over the UK to sample The
Warehouse Project atmosphere. The staff behind the bar can
generally be found bouncing along to the tunes and are happy
to help once you’ve navigated your way past the often
deep queues.
The Music
The music changes from night to night. If you are fussy
about what you listen to, check the individual listings to
make sure you are attending the right event. Turning up expecting
heavy drum and bass and getting fluffy house might not be
your cup of tea, unless you are open-minded and embrace the
change of scene. The main thing is that if you want to dance
to cutting edge house, electro, breaks, drum and bass, hip-hop
or techno, and you’re attracted by the biggest names
in the biz, this will be for you. If you prefer smaller, more
intimate clubs with less expectations placed on a night out,
then you may want to consider The Mint Lounge, The Roadhouse
or even The Music Box. Bands also play here for those who
appreciate guitar music. Acts that have appeared here include
The Happy Mondays, De La Soul, Richie Hawtin, Dizzee Rascal,
Pete Tong, Tricky and Goldie to name a few.
The Last Word
For those looking to party to some of the biggest names
in the industry, The Warehouse Project is s must. For those
of you who missed the Hacienda, do not miss this piece of
history in the making. Just make sure you wear comfy shoes
or trainers.
N0.
9 RATED CLUB IN THE WORLD BY 
