Events

EMINEM might have declared that nobody listens to techno but he was proved wrong on Saturday when 10,000 clubbers gathered for the 10th anniversary of Tribal Gathering.

With a line-up including A Guy Called Gerald, Laurent Garnier and Groove Armada, it was not surprising that the warehouse was packed to capacity. And while this party may have been legit, the atmosphere in the derelict building (complete with rubble and dust) in Ancoats was undeniably acid house circa 1990.

Admittedly, I was too young to have experienced warehouse raves first time round but I was more than familiar with the classic tracks played during the night, which are now staples in clubs around the world. And the venue will be familiar to anyone who saw last year's 24 Hour Party People, where it doubled as the now demolished Hacienda.

I'm sad to say that NYC resident A Guy Called Gerald didn't quite live up to the hype. In the minutes leading up to his half hour set the dance floor in the main room was overwhelmed with fans eager to catch a glimpse. But the mundane and repetitive set was only saved in the last few minutes by the brilliant early acid track Voodoo Ray, which was as fresh and uplifting as if it was written yesterday.

Things took a decidedly better turn in the second room later on when LFO gave a blistering live performance. Laurent Garnier also didn't disappoint, with a marathon five-hour turn until the sun rose at 6am.

The next Tribal Gathering will take place in Southport in November, with Sasha headlining, and there is already talk of another party in Manchester on New Year's Eve. I don't know about the Southport bash but I may just have recovered in time for New Year!