Fat Out Fest 2022

Fat Out Fest at Islington Mill, Chapel Street, 28–30 October 2022, from £15 - Book now

Bringing all the noise, queer energy and mayhem we need on Halloween weekend, Fat Out Fest returns to its spiritual home of Islington Mill, marking the first live shows the venue’s seen in five years.

It’s a big moment for Fat Out, which ran the event space for a two year residency as The Burrow before it closed its doors in 2017 to prepare for an extensive redevelopment project.

Founder Emma Thompson recalls: “We knew we were closing a big chapter in the history of Islington Mill. Five years later, to be reactivating the space that was our home for so many years feels like we have come full circle and we are very honoured to be bringing noise back to the iconic venue that has been missed by so many.”

Indeed it has been missed. There aren’t many venues in Greater Manchester that feel so creatively alive as Islington Mill. Operating under a steadfast belief in the DIY maxim, the place was – is –fiercely independent, supportive to artists of all kinds, and creative in every respect, from its decor to its programming.

In all these ways, the venue finds a perfect match in Salford-based promotor, Fat Out. From its humble, DIY beginnings in 2008, Fat Out has been a passionate champion of the underground scene both locally and internationally, dedicated to producing unique and captivating live shows, with a focus on the obscure, the intense, and the downright rowdy.

So, introductions over, let’s get to the nitty gritty of what Fat Out Fest 2022 will look like.

Proceedings start on Friday at Islington Mill with an evening fuelled by heavy electronics, noisy overblown rock and ethereal avant-garde pop music, featuring Mica Levi and Tirzah collaborator Coby Sey, Japanese vocalist and composer Hatis Noit and Tokyo’s DMBQ.

Saturday sees a labyrinthine day of dining and dancing with a three-course dinner experience from Eat Me, Liverpool’s OG Queer Drag Diner Cabaret, before legendary Islington Mill queer p’ART’y, Off With Their Heads returns from a 10-year hiatus, with a line-up featuring Brighton based experimental artist and producer I AM FYA, bass rhymatist PRNCSS and new wave garage punk band Chemtrails.

Then on Sunday afternoon it’s time to slow down with transatlantic deep listening practitioners Blanc Sceol (Stephen Shiell & Hannah White) and Sarah Van Buren all the way from New York.

Fat Out Fest continues into the early hours over at The White Hotel; Saturday night will be spearheaded by FrixXxion, a queer techno party curated by Blasha & Allatt, featuring DJs Esmé and Monas, whilst Sunday night rounds off the weekend with the return of CREATURES, once again creating a utopia of Queer nightlife underworld and alt dance debauchery.

Tickets are available on a day-by-day basis. Grab yours via the button below.