Club Review: Deconstructed with Calvin Harris @ The Warehouse Project

Date: 7th October

Words: Jo Waddington

Photos: Sebastian Matthes (@manox_net)

7th October sees Warehouse Project back for its fourth weekend, this time with DECONSTRUCTED: Calvin Harris. 

There’s a chill in the air and the familiar smell of burgers and fried onions surround Store St as crowds and crowds of people approach the entrance of this sell out event. 1800 people were set to attend tonight and the atmosphere was already on epic proportions as excitement and anticipation filled the space between the walls on Store Street.

Japanese Popstars

The Japanese Popstars kick things off in the main room, which is already filled up nicely despite it being quite early on. The Northern Irish electronic duo set the mood for the night ahead with their energetic pop house set. Dabbling also with the house, trance and disco genres , the mixes are spot on. Driven by pumping bass and contradicting their sounds with mellow chilled out snippets, it's clear to see how far and how much The Japanese Popstars have developed in the past five years since they first arrived on the scene. Playing tracks from both albums, including some unheard material, the duo put up a stellar performance and were a perfect start to the night’s events.

Felix Da Housecat

Felix Da Housecat mixed things up with his ever-changing clash of house, minimal, techno and the added treat of the occasional hip hop classic. He played what seemed and extensive set and managed to keep the crowd upbeat and in high spirits throughout his set. The Chicago house icon was on his finest form. If anyone had arrived that night and not known the line-up, they would have easily thought Felix was the main attraction. His ability to please and control a crowd is second to none.

Calvin Harris

Finally it's time for the headliner to grace the Warehouse Project stage. As Store St seems to go into complete darkness, the infamous Calvin Harris graphics flash up on the stage backdrop and he kicks straight into hit single ‘U Used To Hold Me’. The crowd go absolutely crazy. Harris has always been a must see act live, but it's safe to say that this year's success seems to have transformed him to what seems an even more untouchable act, ss the audience seem to worship every mix and mash-up he dishes out. 

We are treated to his own songs as well as mixes of tracks such as Fatboy Slim, Chilli Peppers ‘By The Way’ and the anthem of the summer; Example's ‘Changed The Way You Kissed Me’. Losing all inhibitions, the set is raucous and unhinged. Everyone is dancing and tightly packed into the main arena section. Men have their tops off, girls have tops rolled up and the air is thick with a mist of steam rising from everyone’s bodies. Bottles of water are being poured over heads and bodies in the attempt to cool down, as no-one seems to want to leave the vicinity of the main stage. Summer smash ‘Bounce’, the release Harris dueted on with Kelis, was a particular highlight of the night. The set ended with new single 'We Found Love’, the new offering by Calvin and flame-hared sex siren Rihanna. The euphoric atmosphere is at an ultimate high but that quickly turns to disappointment as soon as Calvin leaves the stage.

Despite Mike Pickering still DJing until the early hours, it seems the crowd know that the night wont be able to get much better and the large majority exit the venue and spill onto the street of Manchester, ending the night on high.

Another Warehouse sadly done and dusted, but this city is ours for another 12 weeks yet…

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