All photos by Jody Hartley
The Warehouse Project’s XXL event on November 30th was a raucous, relentless celebration of electronic music, teetering between moments of euphoric highs and logistical frustrations. With a lineup bursting at the seams with talent, this was a night that showcased the best—and the most chaotic—of what techno has to offer.
Watch our videos on the night here:
The lineup was nothing short of titanic. A galaxy of stars graced the decks, including:
From hard-hitting industrial sets to euphoric “happy techno” vibes, the diversity of the lineup was immense. Every corner of the venue was crammed with energy, each room offering its own flavour of the night. Here are our highlights!
Zorza’s set in the Star & Garter was a beacon of light amidst the chaos. A warm-up like no other, it delivered waves of uplifting techno that had the crowd flinging themselves around. The pub itself—a smaller, more intimate space—felt like a hidden treasure. It stood in stark contrast to the cavernous main rooms, a haven for those seeking a more personal connection to the music. Honestly, if I could’ve stayed there all night, I would have.
Klangkuenstler provided a perfect introduction to the Depot’s main room. His set was a masterful balance of heavier beats and melodic tracks, creating space for the crowd to sing along before plunging into hard, unrelenting dancing. It was a dynamic performance that set the tone for the night, drawing the audience into the Depot’s expansive atmosphere.
Vendex was the moment we had been waiting for all year. After missing him at Teletech due to the infamous Boiler Room one-way system, we were gutted—but the universe had other plans. Fighting our way into Archive and up behind the decks, we finally witnessed the magic of Vendex. Words fail to capture the energy, the harsh, almost supernatural command he held over the room. It felt surreal, like a glimpse into what it means to truly command a space as an artist. We stayed for his entire set, utterly transfixed. It wasn’t just music; it was an experience of true power, shared with everyone in that room. Here's a haiku we put together for our love of Vendex: Commanding the room,
Vendex, masked and magnetic—
Ethereal force.
Noice.
The Samba Boys (a.k.a. KETTAMA & Tommy Holohan) were an unexpected revelation. Sneaking through the back of the Greenroom, we found ourselves drawn to the wonderful sound emanating from the 360 stage in Concourse. We’ll be honest—at first, we weren’t keen on the Concourse lineup, dubbing it “too cunty” for our tastes. But the Samba Boys changed everything. Their set was melodic, fun, and bouncy—a perfect antidote to the relentless industrial sounds elsewhere. It kept us rooted there for ages, proving to be a much-needed breather in a night of unrelenting intensity. They slapped, and we were glad to have stumbled into their world.
For those craving unrelenting power, I Hate Models delivered an industrial set that was nothing short of brutal. Paired with artists like Holy Priest and Vendex, the harder-edged side of the night was relentless. The AZYR b2b Nico Moreno set took things to the next level, blending punishing beats with moments of crowd-thrilling madness. When I Hate Models jumped on stage to dance during their set, we screamed - iconic.
Omaks also deserves a shoutout. Musically brilliant, his performance was as intricate as it was powerful. Having seen him before at Teletech, it was a nice addition but the room - MY LORD - too PACKED —though that brings me to the night’s major pitfall.
Let’s talk Archives. Why WHP decided to cram big-name artists into a single entry, single exit space is beyond comprehension. It felt like herding cattle. The room was unbearably packed, a frustrating experience for even the most devoted fans. This wasn’t just a minor misstep—it was a glaring issue that the guys should’ve addressed after similar complaints during the summer’s Teletech events.
Despite the logistical chaos, the music slapped—as always. The crowd was out in full force, and the relentless energy of the night carried it through its flaws. But the night needs to strip back the numbers or rethink its lineup system. These issues detract from the experience, and fans deserve better. This year’s XXL was a solid 7/10—great techno, but lessons still need to be learned. Here’s hoping for a tighter, more focused XXL in the future.
So that was XXL: Heaviness Inside the Depot - As always, we will see you at the front.
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