J Dilla Changed My Life - London/Manchester/Brighton (3rd-5th February)

For the sixth year running the UK is set to celebrate the life and work of the irreplacable James 'J Dilla'  Yancey - but this year is special, as the show is set to take to the road with three seperate events in London, Manchester & Brighton. The dream team of DJs, including Mr Scruff, Mr Thing, Harry Love & many more, will once again be joined on stage at all three events by last year's suprise guest, Dilla's mother, Maureen 'Ma Dukes' Yancey. Dilla's long-term friend and collaborator Phat Kat will also be hosting the events and will be performing some of his own Dilla-produced classics. I'll be down at the Manchester gig paying tribute to my favourite producer of all-time, and will hopefully see some of you there - it's going to be a special night. All the info you need for the 3 dates are after the jump. R.I.P. Jay Dee.

Click to read more ...

Parklife 2012 - Early Bird Tickets

On Friday October 14th @ 9am, the early bird tickets for Parklife 2012 (Manchester) will go on sale. Granted that June 9th/10th seems like a long time off yet, but preparations have started already in order to ensure the festival goes up another level next year. Next Friday will see a very small number of super-saver early bird tickets go on sale at the bargain price of £49.50 for the whole weekend. There will only be 500 of these tickets available and we expect them to sell out very quickly indeed. These will be the only tickets released before the main launch of Parklife early in the New Year. You can get these from Ticketline from 9am on Friday 14th October. Check the massive line-up that blessed the festival this year after the jump to see what all the fuss is about.

Click to read more ...

Coloursound Festival Season 1 - Leeds/Manchester

Over the past few decades Manchester and Leeds have cemented themselves as two of the most influential cities in the country when it comes to music, and with dance music in particular they have played host to some of the most incredible artists from all around the world. Coloursound Festival aims to build on this reputation by adding a wide array of Electronic nights to Leeds & Manchester, that can work well alongside well established clubs such as Mint, Sankeys and of course the ever brilliant Warehouse Project. The line-up includes Trentemoller, Kenny Dope, DJ Fresh, Reboot, Maceo Plex, Huxley, Murkage and many more, making for what could well be one of the most exciting new music events around. You can check out all the different nights HERE, and get your tickets on Skiddle. I wouldn't miss out on this if I were you.

WAREHOUSE PROJECT 2011

Never thought this day would come, but here it is, the end of the WHP @ Store Street. For the past 5 years it has been the heart of the Manchester music scene, taking over the the City for 12 weeks of the year and drawing in thousands of people every weekend from all over the World. Stunning line-ups, an incredible venue and a group of people who just adore their music has made for the most unique musical experience possible, and for me it has been the home of some of the best nights of my life. Anyway, earlier today the line-ups for the the 2011 calender were announced - I've selected a couple of my favourites below, but you can check the full list HERE. Hopefully see some of you there.

SATURDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

DJ SHADOW       
SKREAM & SGT POKES    
SBTRKT — DJ SET   
HUDSON MOHAWKE    
JACKMASTER   
AFRICA HI-TECH   
FALTY DL    
ILLUM SPHERE    
JONNY DUB    
JUICY

SATURDAY 10TH DECEMBER

CROSSTOWN REBELS

SETH TROXLER
JAMIE JONES
DAMIAN LAZARUS
ART DEPARTMENT
CLIVE HENRY
LEE FOSS
ROBERT JAMES
SUBB-AN
JOZIF
KRYSKO

WEDNESDAY 14TH DECEMBER

SKREAM & BENGA PRESENT

SKREAM & BENGA
ZINC
JACKMASTER & ONEMAN
ARTWORK
BODDIKA
NIGHTSLUGS
L-VIS1990
BOK BOK
GIRL UNIT
SPECIAL GUEST
P MONEY — LIVE

Example in Manchester

My sister went down to Example gig in Manchester last night and took some pictures. Hit the jump to see my favourites and you can find some more of her work, here. Proud.

Click to read more ...