Repercussion review: The Warehouse Project returns with electrifying start

Summer in the U.K. didn’t quite live up to expectations. While there were a few standout moments for dance music in festival season  — like We Out Here, Creamfields, and Parklife — it has to be said that Manchester’s skies were notably lacking sunshine. This was a major letdown for those longing for outdoor vibes and raving in the evening summer glow.

Image credit: The Warehouse Project (Facebook)

Yet, as the colder months roll in, there’s at least one thing to look forward to, the return of The Warehouse Project. Kicking off with Repercussion, it never fails to deliver a much-anticipated calendar highlight for the autumn and winter ravers, and it is the perfect way to launch into what Warehouse Project have in store for 2024/2025.

The powerhouse headliners—Jungle, Bonobo, and Honey Dijon— along with local favourites, Salute, and downtempo house artist Berlioz, proved to be a hit on Saturday night, drawing in some major crowds. The number of people at Repercussion this year made it difficult to get around set to set, so if you’re a meticulous, highlighter-in-hand schedule ticker - you might want to head to the venue as early as possible. 

Header image credit: The Warehouse Project (Facebook)

However, the real magic of WHP lies in embracing the chaos and seeing where the evening takes you. If you’re open to drifting from room to room and letting the experience unfold as organically as possible, it promises to be an unforgettable adventure. The fun began in the early afternoon for those eager to dive in and get a head-start, as the festival introduced a new surprise for this season: a rooftop venue. 

From 4pm, it was hosted by the legendary Luke Una and his carefully curated É Soul Cultura crew, featuring Chez Damier, Paula Tape, and Joey T. Providing a spacious and dynamic setting, the rooftop light streamed through stained-glass windows, illuminating the room like a kaleidoscopic cathedral. 

The religion? House music. The energy in the room blessed the party-goers with its soul-cleansing warmth - one DJ sermon at a time. The rooftop was a fantastic addition to WHP Repercussion, mainly for providing more space for people to dance but also for those looking to lock into a nice little niche, as it leaned heavily into deep house for the night. 

At The Depot, Sofia Kourtesis and Berlioz stood out as the WHP support acts before Jungle, with both artists delivering incredible electronic vibes. Berlioz describes his genre as: “if Matisse made house music,” and there isn’t a better description. His set creatively blends jazzy elements with soulful depth, creating an atmosphere that’s perfect for both dancing and deep soul-listening— essentially, it was a bit like raving at an art exhibition.

Manchester-based Salute owned the Concourse stage, turning his set into a standout favourite of the night. The crowd was electrified, with bodies bouncing and jumping to every pulse-driven beat. Undoubtedly a rising star in dance music, Salute demonstrated that he’s on the right track to become a WHP headliner soon. Watch this space!

The crowd packed in tight at the Depot for the highly anticipated live set from Brit Award winners, Jungle, the once bedroom-duo to a now electrifying live band. Watching Jungle transform into an even funkier, irresistibly groovy live act was fantastic, and they were a lot of fun to experience at Repercussion. Back on 74 and Casio lit up the crowd with sing-alongs, and people embraced the moment in laughter, dance and good energy all round.

Later, Bonobo took the stage with his signature blend of ambient textures and shuffling deep-groove global rhythms. He picked up the pace with tracks like ATK, shifting from his usual laidback ambient sound to deliver a more rhythm-driven, dynamic performance. His set arrived at the perfect time following Jungle, easing the energy with trippier, atmospheric beats.

Overall, Repercussion takes the crown once again with its incredibly diverse lineup, supportive staff, and well-curated venues. It was a fantastic kick-off for what’s in store for the rest of the year. However, as always, Warehouse Project is immensely popular, so make sure to grab your tickets early to avoid missing out. It’s busy, but well worth it if you plan ahead and get locked into some amazing sets. Don’t miss out!

For more club nights and raves from across the UK, check out our UK Rave Guide Inspire Me page. 

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.