Hello Manchester Crew,

It's Record Store Day on Saturday and the scene has built an entire weekend around it. Friday is genuinely stacked from start to finish without much overlap. Elena Colombi, Nono Gigsta and Abena at Soup is the one I'd circled first: three of the most uncompromising forward-thinking selectors on one bill in one of the city's best small rooms. Alexis Taylor of Hot Chip plays a live album launch at the Golden Lion in Todmorden, with James Holroyd DJing support. An intimate and special proposition. Faster Horses headlines Albert Hall for his biggest show to date, one of our own, doing it properly.

Saturday opens with Eastern Bloc Records throwing a free all-day party for Record Store Day from noon. DJs, community, and crates. An institution doing what it does best. From there the day evolves: Naone and fka boursin come to Honey Street Studio for a day-into-night prog house session, Luuk van Dijk and TSHA headline Get Closer at Progress from 3pm, and Girls Don't Sync celebrate their 5th birthday at Idra from 4pm.

Sunday comes down gently. o•rbyss takes over The DBA from 5pm for an ambient and downtempo session focused on queer community and softer states. The ideal weekend decompressor.

Until next week, party people.

Tom (japanese.knotweed)

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🏭 Feature: Manchester Music Industry Events

If you're a DJ, producer, promoter, label or just someone who works in or around the music industry, Manchester's calendar is worth keeping an eye on.

2 - 3 May | Liverpool Sound City
Not Manchester, but a short train ride away and firmly on the radar for anyone in the North West music industry. One day of panels and masterclasses alongside showcases. Particularly strong on artist development and booking.

7–9 October | Beyond The Music
The biggest music industry conference in Manchester just announced its 2026 return and it's moving to MediaCity. Three days of panels, keynotes, networking and grassroots showcases. Whether you're a DJ, label, promoter or just scene-adjacent, this is the one to have in the diary.

22–23 October | Un-Convention
A grassroots music conference focused on independent artists and DIY scene operators. Two days of panels, workshops and networking rooted in the independent music ecosystem. Particularly relevant if you're building something outside the mainstream.

Friday

  1. Binh (All Night) @ The White Hotel
    Seven hours of techno and house from a rare all-night White Hotel debut.

  2. Alexis Taylor Live + James Holroyd @ The Golden Lion, Todmorden
    Hot Chip's frontman launches his new album live. An intimate and special occasion.

  3. Faster Horses @ Albert Hall
    One of Manchester's own headlines the most iconic room in the city.

  4. Elena Colombi, Nono Gigsta & Abena @ Soup
    Three of the most forward-thinking selectors going, in one of the best small rooms.

  5. House Rules: Lil Dark One @ Honey Street Studio
    Hard techno intensity with trance-driven euphoria. A rising force.

  6. Apple Tree: Jade Seatle @ Stage & Radio
    Deep, dub-leaning minimal house. Patience and intuition over peaks.

  7. Mukes 4th Birthday @ The DBA
    Four years of drum & bass and garage deep in Cheetham Hill.

  8. RUUD Records: Mehlor & Wally All Night Long @ Ramona [FREE ENTRY]
    All-night house and garage in Ramona's MOT garage. No reason not to.

  9. Good Custard Takeover @ Ōdiobā, Stockport [FREE ENTRY]
    NAM soundsystem, 1970s décor, intimate loft setting. House and disco from 9pm.

Saturday - Record Store Day

  1. Eastern Bloc Records: Record Store Day Celebrations [FREE ENTRY]
    All-day party from noon with residents and regulars. An institution doing what it does best.

  2. Girls Don't Sync 5th Birthday @ Idra
    Five years of one of Manchester's most important DJ collectives. 4pm start.

  3. Fingers Crossed: Gothica @ The DBA
    Queer gothic-themed trance and pop day party. 4pm til 11pm.

  4. Naone & fka boursin @ Honey Street Studio
    Day-into-night prog and tripped-out house. Sleek selections from a sharp crew.

  5. Get Closer: Luuk van Dijk, TSHA & Jordan Peak @ Progress
    Steady, rolling afternoon-into-evening with three selectors who understand pace.

  6. ASHTYLR presents GFOTY @ Yes
    Hyperpop classics, eurodance bangers and a whole lotta girlfriends. Round two.

  7. FILTH @ The DBA [£6 ENTRY]
    Midnight til 6. Deventi, INLIMEN, Wolfsbane. Techno with no frills.

  8. NEW WORLD 340: Heavee, User2222 & dolfinboy @ The White Hotel
    Footwork, trance and rhythmic role-play from the queer gaming collective.

Sunday

  1. Free Rave @ Under Junction 7, M60 Stretford [FREE ENTRY]
    10kw soundsystem from 9am. For the marathon runners, and everyone who never slept.

  2. o•rbyss: Aiden Francis, Fastlove, LOCKS & Abena @ The DBA
    Ambient and downtempo for the queer community. Slow down, listen, connect. 5pm.

  3. Marco Shuttle & Esmé @ renae
    Deep, psychedelic techno in renae's intimate upstairs space. The Sunday closer.

Collaborate with Us

Our mission is to support the growing Manchester underground scene as its taking shape. We want to hear from underground promoters to help hero your nights. If you want to be featured in an upcoming newsletter or collaborate with us in any way, hit us up.

Email us at [email protected] - we read and respond to every email.

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