2022NQ turns one with a weekend of celebrations

We do love a venue that has more than one purpose and few come as wide-ranging as Manchester’s very own 2022NQ. A space that manages to combine being an art gallery, bar, office space and club environment at varying times, often all at once, their penchant for creatives of any discipline across the North West has ensured that they’ve quickly become one of the more vibrant spots in the cultural quarter of the city.

Next month they celebrate a full year in the business with a three day series of events that kicks off on Thursday April 13th. Unusually for clubland the date is the exact anniversary of when they began in 2012, and will begin with an exhibition from Ex:ample showcasing the legacy of hip-hop in Manchester, getting to the heartbeat of what it means to be a b-boy in this area of the North West. Entry is free and will also feature a selection of special surprise DJ sets as well.

The musical focus shifts a little bit the following evening, with the still image switched for the moving one. There will be screenings of the feted LCD Soundsystem documentary ‘Shut up and Play the Hits’ which documented the influential band’s final ever concert in New York, preceded by ‘Iceland: Beyond Sigur Ros’. In true 2022NQ style the latter screening doffs its caps to its surroundings, having been produced by Manchester collective Serious Feather. Entrance will set you back a fiver but the blow is cushioned somewhat by a free Jamesons whiskey and unlimited popcorn, not to mention James Murphy’s tortured pre stage rituals. Get your tickets now. 

Saturday witnesses the full scope of the day and night contrasts of the venue. The Manchester Print fair will be there during the sunlight hours, with over 20 designers from the surrounding areas exhibiting their prints for sale. Alongside this there will be several screen-printing workshops for those who fancy themselves as the next Keith Haring, with participants encouraged from any discipline.

There will then be just enough time to dash home and wash the paint off your fingertips for the final flourish as legends of Mancunia the Unabombers take the DJ reigns for the evening. The brains behind the seminal Electric Chair and its Adriatic descendent Electric Elephant will be bringing their disco centric sounds to the party for the entire evening, ensuring the fun continues long into the dwindling hours. We can’t think of two better incumbents to ensure Manchester’s worst kept secret gets the celebration it deserves. More information and tickets.

See all upcoming events at 2022NQ