Venue Focus: Islington Mill, Manchester

Now one of the most iconic venues in Manchester, the legendary Islington Mill has become one of the most sought after venues in the city. Bill Campbell upon his return from university saw fit to save the Mill by any means possible, and the city of Manchester has enormous gratitude for his determined vision. According to The Guardian’s Luke Bainbridge “Islington Mill has become the creative hub of a minor cultural renaissance.” Evidence of that can be seen in even one visit to the iconic venue.

Now converted into over 50 artists studios, a gallery space, a club space and even a B&B, Islington Mill has established itself as an integral part of creative pursuits in Manchester. We looked ahead to some of the upcoming gigs and events to be held at the mill, which are typically forward thinking, eclectic, and boundary pushing.

This City Is On Fire Presents fLako - Fri 12th July

The 12th July sees Mind on Fire and This City Is Ours team up once again for a summer party at Islington Mill. The off the wall talents of the esoteric fLako returns to the mill after playing a MOF party with Upper Space a couple of years ago. His music has been transfixing audiences for some time now, and his live shows are astounding journeys through otherworldly terrains, adding warmth and depth to the Brainfeeder ethos. Additionally Tom Leah arrives as Werkha and recent Sonic Router signing Bambooman travels across the Pennines to play the Manchester venue for the first time. Backed up by Mind on Fire and This City Is Ours residents, with maybe a couple of surprises, it’s set to be pretty special.

Head here for tickets

Watch: fLako - Mating Dance

Club Suicide - Sat 13th July

13th July sees the welcome return of Club Suicide. With a music policy that lies somewhere between leftfield pop, old punk funk, new electro and off-kilter techno, Club suicide akso features l8ive performances, and this weeks edition is no different. Aérea Negrot arrives with her own brand of house (ish) melodic magic. It’s so hard to describe what her sound is, drawing as it does on so many differing influences, so we recommend you check out it below and make up your mind. She will be joined by Sheffield based electronic pop innovators Heim, and the ever reliable Club Suicide DJs.

Tickets are available HERE

Watch: Aérea Negrot - It's Lover, Love

Shangaan Electro - Fri 19th July

After 2010’s Shangaan Electro compilation on Damon Albarn’s Honest Jon’s label hit the record shops, the world of electronic music was alive with the most unique sound to happen in the genre for some time. Courtesy of producer supremo Nozinja, a new wave of music hit the townships in South Africa, updating traditional Shangaan music, reinventing it for a younger generation. It took a number of years and a few viral youtube videos, but eventually the rest of the world caught up.

Watch: Tshetsha Boys - Nwa Pfundla

Incredibly fast beats (180 beats per minute and above!) are met with soulful african vocals, pitched up samples, midi keyboard hits and marimba bass lines, to create one of the most addictive sounds to have hit the world of electronic music. Combined with some of the most rubber limbed, high energy dancing you’ve ever seen, (workshops are offered for FREE as part of the night) the Shangaan Electro sound has captured the imaginations of the forward thinking dance music communities around the world. The Tshetsha Boys, Nozinja, Nkata Mawewe and crew have been everywhere from Roskilde to Sydney, Sonar to Berghain, and are destined to be one of the highlights of Islington Mill’s calendar too.

A HUGE recommendation from us here at Skiddle.

Grab your tickets HERE

Psychic Rhythm Abduction - Sat 20th July

Billed as ‘the most anxiety and euphoria provoking dance event in history’, manchester’s very own Volkov Commanders and Brooklyn based outfit Cheryl combine forces with Positively Destructive for Psychic Rhythm Abduction. Consisting of various events around the mill, Psychic Rhythm Abduction aims to take you on a magical journey courtesy of Off With Their Heads, Chew Disco, Pumping Iron and more... Prepare to to be mesmerized. This is Islington Mill's last party before it closes for summer. It’s going to go out with an otherworldly glitterbang. Get your tickets HERE

Head here to find out what else is happening at Islington Mill