Words by Alfie Chase
In November, Barry Can't Swim headlined The Warehouse Project, bringing a stellar lineup including Mount Kimbe, Chloe Caillet, DJ Seinfeld, Ross From Friends, and Avalon Emerson for an event curated by his record label Earth's Only Paradise. It was essentially a house night, characterised by thumping bass and four-on-the-floor repetitive beats. Barry Can’t Swim performed twice, doing a live performance and a DJ set, giving his fans a huge opportunity to enjoy his music and also providing himself with an opportunity to play all of his hits and mix in in global house classics.
Credit: Sophia J Carey @ The Warehouse Project
It is no shocker that Warehouse Project knows how to put on a show, with all stages filled by flocking crowds, although the event did appear to be slightly oversold as the first Barry Can’t Swim set was packed to the point that it was hard to dance. The crowd itself was exactly what you would expect from a house night: lots of sunglasses, fans, and footwork. The event also brought a refreshing mix of male and female DJs, helping to combat the domination of male names in the UK's house scene which has been coupled with female DJs being pushed aside in the mainstream.
Grammy nominee Jayda G performed a groovy bouncy house set with colourful visuals, creating a space for more upbeat and fast-paced house with bouncing beats reminiscent of Basement Jaxx’s 'Romeo' and nineties house. Ross from Friends brought his show as Bubble Love with distorted, melodic vocals complemented by the crowd's energy and pink lights provided by the venue, making the set both uplifting and well-produced.
The large smoking area is often perceived as overwhelmingly concrete and industrial, with the sounds of Manchester Piccadilly’s trains rattling from the tracks. Yet next to the Concourse stage is the Plant Garden — this greenhouse offers a alternative to what is usually assumed of The Warehouse Project which usually conjures an image of thousands of sweaty people crammed in together. This outside section, however, is filled with soothingly coloured lights, a greenhouse to sit in with bar and a smaller, more intimate smoking section, making it perfect to avoid the longer lines at the main bars but also to take a minute to sit and relax in a nice environment.
One thing that has to be noted is the layout of the event, and how the different stages cultivated different experiences. Both of Barry Can’t Swim’s sets were on the Depot stage, so they generated the classic Warehouse Project experience. Pulling in massive crowds and cementing his jewel in the crown of UK House music, Barry Can't Swim is a once-in-a-generation dance music act. Bringing an incredible night of classic house, it shouldn't be left too long until he headlines The Warehouse Project again.
https://open.spotify.com/album/6aE10Kz82jIDkcOM2hRhR5?si=KtTGklzIT5ejQYA0kNfwnQ
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