TONIGHT AND TOMORROW Clubbing / Bugged Out 25th Birthday Weekender

The old proverb ‘great oaks from little acorns grow’ certainly springs to mind when assessing the story of Mancunian nightlife institution Bugged Out. Born out of the late, great dance publication Jockey Slut, the first ever Bugged Out took place in November 1994 at Sankeys Soap, Ancoats. However, its two founders, Paul Benney and John Burgess, didn’t have the biggest expectations for their fledgling endeavour. “I didn’t even know if it would last until that Christmas,” Burgess has famously admitted.

Twenty-five years on, it’s safe to say Bugged Out has firmly exceeded those modest ambitions. From those humble beginnings at Sankeys, Bugged Out has become one of the UK’s most influential, enduring clubnights with regular events in Ibiza, Barcelona, Milan, London and, of course, here in Manchester. It’s played host to numerous big-name dance artists including Daft Punk, Richie Hawtin and the Chemical Brothers. And, at a time when countless club nights have fallen by the wayside through trends and hard times, the annual Bugged Out Weekender still remains one of the biggest events of the clubbing calendar. Needless to say, the Bugged Out crew will be pulling out all the stops for their 25th anniversary this weekend. Taking place at Depot Mayfield, the party goes off with a bang tonight (March 13) with DJs Denis Sulta and Mella Dee going back-toback all night long. The second night (March 14) sees a spectacular line-up headlined by Chicago house/techno legend Green Velvet (pictured) and Canadian producer Heidi, joined by DJ favourites Erol Alkan, James Holroyd and Rob Bright.

● Concourse at Depot Mayfield / Tonight and tomorrow / £19.50-£25, tickets at – buggedout.net