Zutekh with Josh Wink review

Image: Zutekh vs Tpot Credit: C M Taylor Photography

The team behind Zutekh have been responsible for some of the finest tech house parties that Manchester has seen over the last few years and their partners in crime, Tpot, are daytime/Sunday specialists.

From the early days on the roof terrace of Space on Oxford Road, to secret courtyard parties off King Street and all day Sunday affairs in underground drinking dens, the parties have always catered to local ravers' needs. This Bank Holiday Sunday they took the party to the industrial outskirts of Manchester’s city centre – Mantra Warehouse.

On arrival, the subtle techno beats of Adam Ross b2b Tom Craven could be heard in the Courtyard. Showcasing a blend of the best dance music of our decades – disco, boogie, synth funk, and Detroit techno with insatiable house rhythms, their set was a great introduction of what was to come. 

Next up was One Records boss Adam Shelton, whose energetic tech-tinged house built up a commotion in the courtyard. His tough, jacking percussion, bolstered by a sturdy underbelly of groove, made for infectious listening throughout his set. His presence behind the decks was matched by an energetic crowd which set bar for the remainder of the night.

In the Mantra Live room, it was time for Josh Wink. Most noted for his Ovum label, he has been paving innovations in the techno and house world for over a decade. His affinity for super rich, deeply resonant sounds has defined him as an undeniably talented household name. Wink gained popularity in the 90s for his massive releases 'Higher State of Consciousness' and 'Don't Laugh', rising progressively into one of today's most renowned producers.

It is fair to say that Wink‘s set was somewhat different to the usual straight up banging techno that the Zutekh crowd are used to. Granted, he did play some absolute storming techy tracks, but his set was a much more diverse journey which showcased his talents. Dropping his 2014 dancefloor destroyer 'I’m Talking To You' sent everyone into a frenzy, and for good reason – the track is a full on acid assault with clattering, frenetic percussion, squelchy bassline and some mind-bending vocal chops and cuts - classic Wink.

Occasionally he dropped the tempo down which went a long way to allow Wink’s set to peak at several points so to provide a great breakdown to then build upon. Technically, his set was outstanding and it is plain to see why he’s such a stalwart of the dance scene with a diverse sounding career spanning a quarter of a century.

Closing the night was Jane Fitz. She’s been perfecting the art of the DJ set since the mid-90s; she's a long-serving selector, crate digger and promoter and is, basically, as dedicated to dance music as anyone can be.

Her sets are driven by her astounding record collection and she has deservingly earned a reputation among fans of house and techno alike. The result is that every track she plays sounds in its place, like only she could have played it. Her set showed her moving through the gears, with the energy in the room cranked up by a stream of chunky, purposeful 4/4 cuts that show Fitz’s versatility, without feeling the need to lay out obvious tracks. 

Heading home, we were more than impressed with everything the party had to offer - the music was on point, the sound system was good and the atmosphere was captivating without overfilling the venue. What more could you ask for?

Find more events at Mantra Warehouse 

Read more: Adam Shelton Interview: Below the surface

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