The Electric Weekender 2018 at The Refuge

The Electric Weekender 2018 at The Refuge, City Centre, 3–7 May 2018, free entry - Visit now

Following its debut last year, the Electric Weekender returns to The Refuge this May Day bank holiday, billing itself as the opening party of Manchester’s summer season.

Spread over four days, the event takes over The Refuge’s bar, basement club and outdoor courtyard to offer both food and drink, and music and dancing.

The weekend kicks off post-work on Thursday with Dr Sid’s Honey Cooler (from 5pm, free) in the courtyard. It continues on Friday with a one-off outing for Electric Chair in the basement (10pm-4am, £15 adv), with the club promising a sound clash between Unabombers and Nightmares On Wax.

Saturday daytime boasts a return for Return To The Adriatic Boat Party to the courtyard (2pm-10pm, free), with Balearic Mike and Kelvin Andrews, PBR Streetgang and Billy Scurry and Neil Diablo all taking to the decks. Things then go underground for Return To Barbarella’s Discotheque (10pm-4am, free), a night boasting Kelvin Andrews, Craig Christon, Balearic Mike and Chris Massey.

A laid-back Sunday afternoon session sees Aficionado Recordings take over the courtyard (4pm-10pm, free), with Moonboots and Jason Boardman celebrating the label’s 20th anniversary. Rounding off the weekend in the basement is a Zutekh-hosted night featuring label-owner and producer Midland, who will be playing all night long (11pm-4am, £15 adv).