When Metropolis first started up 8 years ago, I'm sure the promoters could only have dreamt of filling a venue the size of the Warehouse Project- with a gargantuan line up to boot.
Since its conception, the Metropolis brand has gone from strength to strength, and progressively bigger events, to become a heavyweight on the promotions scene- now heard uttered in the same breath as Chibuku, Minus & Bedrock as a 'buy on sight' night, regardless of line up, which will never disappoint. Earlier this year, their acquisition of the Leeds Refectory, added to the already massive Student Union meant they can now boast curation of the largest dance music event in the North of the UK, pleasing the 4000 ravers they pack in each month.
Tonight, however, is not about Leeds or the epic events there. Metropolis has come home to Manchester for a big birthday bash at the Warehouse Project, its Mancunian winter home for the past 5 years. A line up including heavyweights Sub Focus, DJ Yoda and Friction is sure to keep the best part of 2000 excited fans up dancing until the wee hours.
Yoda kicks things off with his trademark AV performance. Combining scrathching and manipulation of both visuals and music, he keeps the crowd excited throughout with retro-pop culture visuals referencing TV & film of yesteryear, along with heavyweight dancefloor hits from a multitude of genres- pleasing for both the eyes and ears. He is followed by a set from N-Type, a dubstep don with the dirtiest wobbliest cuts around. The crowd is hit with a relentless wall of bass and loves every minute.
With the crowd suitably pumped, it's now time the tempo was increased to the other side of 170bpm. In Metropolis' rise to the top, their line ups have moved from pure Drum & Bass to a more eclectic mix of underground bass music, reflecting the 'scene's' evolution as a whole and the emergence of Dubstep towards a more mainstream audience. Tonight however, Yoda aside, the main room of the Warehouse Project feels the full force of the best Drum & Bass has to offer right through until 5am.
Sub Focus kicks things off with the Mancunian debut of his new live show. An impressive performance of his biggest hits with some 'live remixing' to boot, all with Nick squirrelled away behind a huge circular bank of lights which wouldn't look out of place on a festival main stage. MC ID keeps things pumped in front of the illuminations and proves a more than capable host throughout.
Following on from the headliners, the crowd are treated to sets from Roni Size, Friction and DJ Hype. All the absolute cream of the Drum & Bass crop and every set is pretty much untouchable in terms of quality and energy. If I had to pick, I'll give the 'Best Set' award to Friction, combining fresh dubplates with stonewall classics in the tightest possible way, never disappointing anda true lesson in DJing.
While all this is happening, Room 2 of the venue is hosting some heavyweight Dubstep from Breakage and residents The Steppahs, UK Funky from Roska and more D&B stylings from Xample & Lomax (as Loadstar) and local legend DJ Silver. Proving conclusively that, if you like bass, Metropolis never fails to deliver and they truly deserve their place at the top. There's something for everyone here and I am more than OK with another 8 years of it!
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