Northwest Clubbing Highlights – December 2014

Sven Vath brings a special Cocoon takeover to the Albert Hall on 5 Dec for the venue's final club event of 2014. It sees the legendary techno figurehead follow a debauched Ibiza season with an exclusive four hour set, his first appearance in Manchester for over a year. (£25)

Throughout the many layers of his winding journey in electronic music, Holland native (now Washington DC resident) Martijn Deijkers, aka Martyn, has always stood in a genre-less scene of his own. Based on musicality and energy in equal parts, his tracks are a rapt exploration of melancholy, futurism and dancefloor hypnotism. Catch him at Soup Kitchen. (5 Dec, £12.50)

Over in Liverpool, mUmU residents Ryan Elliott and Lee Rands join forces for an all night long session at Magnet. The party goes on ’til eight in the morning with last entry at 4am, so even if you think your night’s over there’s still time to get yourself down, ya blurt (6 Dec, £12.50). Space Dimension Controller brings his live laser show to Joshua Brooks in Manchester on the same night. With massive releases on R&S and Clone records, SDC has built a global reputation as a DJ and live performer with sets that fuse disco, funk, house and techno. (6 Dec, £10)

Meanwhile, Hi Ku have a very special celebration planned to celebrate their second birthday. Veteran of electronic music, Luke Vibert began his career in the early 90s along with his school mate and close friend Richard D James, otherwise known as Aphex Twin. He’s joined by Funkineven and Romare to complete a lineup at 1 Primrose Street that should have you salivating. (6 Dec, £12.50)

Craig Charles joins Stevie Wonderland at Manchester's Roadhouse for their last party of the year. I know what you’re thinking; “Craig Charles? Surely not – I could swear he’s in an Australian rainforest eating cockroaches and getting covered in crap!” Apparently not. Fans of Red Dwarf, Takeshi’s Castle and soul music needn’t miss out for £8. (11 Dec)

A couple of days later on 13 Dec, Hunee, king of boogie, treats Magnet to a night a sure-fire aural treats, which you can’t go wrong for £7. (He also plays in Manchester under the Fever 105 banner.) One of the pioneers of techno, Robert Hood, makes his debut at Selective Hearing and a long-awaited return to Manchester at Joshua Brooks on 13 Dec . He'll be playing a 3hr set from 1-4, with support from Selective Hearing resident and ascending techno head, Reflec, who’s also playing a 3hr set. (£13.50)

Potential night of the month goes to the lads at Electric Chair, as they host a one-off return at Factory (of all places). With a line-up that includes Maurice Fulton, Unabombers, Mark Seven, Paul Woolford and French legend Francois K, this one is bound to get very, very, very sweaty (£23)

Right then, business time.

Mr. Scruff teams up with Floating Points for a Keep it Unreal NYE special at Band on the Wall – anybody who has witnessed the pairing in recent times knows that this is a duo who know how to build a mix from the ground up. Sankeys bring 2014 to a close with everybody’s favourite, Move D, to accompany the seminal figure of Kerri Chandler (£25). Hustle welcome back Freerange head honcho Jimpster for another extended set, bargain at £10. Spend £15 more to see Chibuku host Julio Bashmore and Breach (£25). Shipping Forecast brings in Lewis Boardman and Scott Lewis for their shindig (£10). Wet Play and Full Beam are sure to bring the heat below Soup Kitchen for a measly £7. Last but certainly not least, why not take your ‘rents down to The BUG ft. Flowdan at Islington Mill. Y’know the drill, papa in a suit and mama in a frock. (£20)