Many of you may have wondered… ‘What would happen if one of Manchester’s top club nights were to collaborate with an award-winning Malawian festival?’... Well now we have answer to this much debated question and it arrived in the form of the incredible ‘Farmival’ last Friday.
The weekend saw the Audio Farm collective reunite with Lake of Stars to host an evening that lived up to all the imagined hype and more. Described as a ‘magically mystical fete’ by the mischievous marauders of music, ‘Farmival’ surpassed all expectations of the hotly anticipated partnership.
Taking part across 3 floors, with well over 1000 people in attendance, the club was garnished with crazy décor and mesmeric projections that included life-sized farm animals, tunnels and a chat roulette room connected live to the internet!
The basement was occupied by the Lake of Stars team and an arsenal of extremely vibrant Dj’s, including reunion with the Drop the Mustard boys, who suitably, with the impending fireworks, set the whole night off with a bang! As the music fizzed and sizzled throughout the night, the punters flooded in. Donning a creative assortment of costumes, the Lake of Stars team delved in and out of the crowd, spreading the word about the festival and engaging in a bit of forthcoming banter. Gow’s fusion of house and techno put together big beats and bass lines that continued to get the masses moving.
Meanwhile in the Attic the Audio Farmers were busy kick-starting the shenanigans upstairs, whilst people jumped at the chance to explore the Oxfam fancy dress shop and get their faces painted. They were joined by another Lake of Stars favourite Mr. Paul, and Coley who’s soulful and yet propulsive performance set the scene for Paul Heller, a legend in the House game, to top off the night by setting the dance floor ablaze with beats.
Without a doubt this was a party that was not too miss, with the Audio Farm boys bringing a creative and fresh take on how a club night can – and should – be run!
(All photographs by Josie Hicklin)
