THE Electric Weekender suddenly got more electric with the Unambombers DJ duo confirming the full Spring Bank Holiday line-up for this wild celebration of art music and food, centred on their Refuge by Volta.
ToM is well up for the likes of DJ Justin Robertson’s original art show, a musical homage to New York’s legendary Spirit of the City club and a ‘summer of love’ street party hosted by Croatian festival Love International, but the food and drink offering sets the sparks flying, too.
What about the latest creation of the man who brought you the Manchester Egg and its recent spin-off O’Shea’s Irish Egg? Step forward Robert Owen Brown, who has collaborated with Unambombers Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford to rustle up the Manchester Kebab, available on the outside street grill in the hotel’s own Waterhouse Way.
It’s made from a Yorkshire pudding mix rolled out into a naan, filled with a Volta favourite, Lamb Shawarma (above), and a mixed Vimto Sriracha sauce, available all day Saturday and Sunday (May 27 and 28) along with other bar snacks created by the ex-Mark Addy chef.
On the Saturday, 5pm till late, you can wash your kebab down with a selection of beers from local craft heroes ShinDigger whose tap takeover will offer England IPA (new release), Mango Unchained, Everything’s Peachy, Pils and Weiss. A can selection will include Session IPA.
On the Sunday Refuge is hosting an all-day collaboration with Ibiza’s infamous Pikes Hotel (above). From daytime to dusk it will feature Ibizan legends and Balearic jocks galore with Spanish wine selections alongside pop up food by the award-winning Levanter of Ramsbottom.
Luke Unabomber told ToM: “This weekender is the culmination of a 25 year journey that has taken us from being DJs to bar and restaurant owners and festival organisers. This is so much more than a music festival, it’s about food, drink and good times.”
Electric Weekender – 'Summer of Love', Principal Hotel, Oxford Road, Manchester, M60 7HA. 0161 2281111.
