NEW YEARS TOP NIGHTS OUT

Whether the last 12 months have been kind to you or not, chances are there’s only one option when it comes to sending 2015 off, and welcoming in 2016. Going out to a big f***-off rave.

We’ve scoured the country’s party calendar to compile a list of ten Great British sessions that look nothing short of essential, meaning that — if you don’t decide to stay in and get messy with some mates — you can expect hazy memories and a tell-tale ringing in the ear.

From the South to Scotland, London to Leeds, here’s where to find what’s going off, and when...

NEW YEAR’S EVE
Thursday 31st December 2015

Eastern Electrics
Secret Warehouse Location, London
9pm — 6am
£25 — £70 (VVIP)

Line-up: Boddika, Subb-an, Infinity Ink, Dense & Pika, Shaun Reeves, Geddes, Waifs & Strays, Zombie Soundsystem, Normski

Why bother: Eastern Electrics has been on quite a journey since its initial inception, but has decided to go right back to its roots for this mammoth offering.

Keeping things simple enough, two rooms will offer solid house and techno inside an as-yet-unannounced site in the capital, capturing the warehouse vibes of years gone by whilst still keeping the soundtrack as current as you could ask for.

VVIPs even get £25 of drinks thrown in for good measure, which sounds reasonable.

Motto
Basing House, 25 Kingsland Road, London E2 8AA
9pm — 8am
£10 — £25

Line-up: Kalyde, Longplay, Adam Cotier, Better Looking Half, Rob Anderson, Daf & Laura Harvey, Kayne & Sanchez, Will Bill, Las Primas

Why bother: Basing House is one of those venues that always winds up in the kind of sweaty state that makes people wonder if they’ll ever dry off.

When it comes to the biggest night of the year, we’re expecting plenty more of the same. Motto has put together a forward-thinking line-up including rising Bristolian Kalyde — see the legendary Skint Records and Sante’s high-flying Avotre — so best get involved.

Nightvision presents Hogmanay
The Liquid Room, 96 Victoria Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2HE
10pm — 5am
£24.50 — £34.50

Line-up: Todd Terje (live), Huxley, Jasper James, TCTS, Gareth Somerville, Jamie McKenzie, Gav Miller & Ged Warrack, Charlie Craig & Jezz Simpson.

Why bother: Edinburgh is the global capital of New Year parties, or Hogmanay to the Scots, which gives you reason enough to attend.

Having said that, the image of Todd Terje leading the crowd in a passionate rendition of 'Inspector Norse' — all hands in the air and choruses sung at the top of lungs — elevates this bash further still. And that’s before we’ve mentioned Huxley, TCTS and Jasper James, who also appear on the night.

One Night In Miami
Patterns, 10 Marine Parade, Brighton, BN2 1TL
8pm — 5am
£20

Line-up: Bicep, Charles Green b2b Mehtola, Chris Headcount, Christian Piers, Lorca Music, Midnight Funk Association DJs, Ovre, Wild Fantasy, Ye Ye Fever.

Why bother: Housed in an art deco building close to Brighton’s famous seafront, you don’t get many more fitting addresses for a New Year’s party inspired by the glitter, glam, sleaze and decadence of Miami, which is exactly what’s in store for Patterns. Bicep play the midnight set in a darkened basement, whilst a contingency of local DJs should ensure plenty of South Coast camaraderie throughout.

Percolate’s New Year Party
Shapes, 117 Wallis Road, London, E9 5LN
9pm — 6am
£35 - £40

Line-up: Floating Points, Levon Vincent, Tama Sumo, Krywald and Farrer

Why bother: With its carefully curated line-up of respected players, Percolate has put together one of the most musically impressive parties the UK has to see in 2015.

Floating Points, Levon Vincent and Tama Sumo need no introductions, representing the cream of the house-into-techno-for-heads crop. Meanwhile, tickets also get you into the after party at The Pickle Factory nearby, which means you can keep it going for a full 24 hours.

NEW YEAR’S DAY
Friday 1st January 2015

Imaginarium
The Rainbow Venues and The Blackbox, 160 Digbeth High Street, Birmingham, B9 4EE
4pm — 4am
£20 — £30

Line-up: Martin Buttrich, Derrick Carter, Robert Dietz, Dennis Ferrer, Darius Syrossian b2b Sante b2b Sidney Charles, Richy Ahmed, Adam Shelton, Dungeon Meat, Lopaski

Why bother: The most infamously hedonistic haunt in the Midlands only recently unveiled its new intimate area, The Blackbox, which blew us away when we visited earlier this year.

As such, opening up both the large-scale rooms and 500-capacity den for one 12-hour soiree seems like the perfect reason to save your cash for 1st January, especially when there are so many esteemed house and tech jocks involved too.

Mono_cult: The Last Dance
Canal Mills, Brandon Street, Leeds, LS12 2EB
9pm — 5am
£20 — £25

Line-up: Nina Kraviz, John Talabot, Bicep, People Get Real, Midland, Matt Long, Brad Mercer, Paul Kaminski

Why bother: Mono_cult has been an institution in Leeds since 2007, and as the title here suggests this will be the crew’s final event.

Bowing out on a high would be one way to put it, filling the city’s largest underground dance haunt with eager-beaver ravers keen to smash it up to some of the best players in the game. Particular highlights being the ever-on-form Midland and master of curveball beats, John Talabot.

We Concur X Avant Garde
Bankside Vaults, London
9pm — 11am
£25 - £42.50

Line-up: Dixon, Daphni aka Caribou, DJ Koze

Why bother: If Carlsberg did NYD parties... Curating a jaw-dropping collection of techno talent, We Concur & Avant Garde have pulled out all the stops with three of the most in-demand selectors of the underground.

With the high-flying Innervisions boss, Caribou's banging DJ alter ego and the mad-magician behind Pampa records on the bill, you literally cannot fail.

Sankeys Warehouse
Victoria Warehouse, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester, M17 1AB
9pm — 5am
£27.50 — £35 / £50 VIP

Line-up: Fatboy Slim, Basement Jaxx, Busy P, Frank Rizardo, Hector Couto, Manu Gonzalez, M-Groove, Mar-T, Matt 'Jam' Lamont, Sam Holt, Todd Terry, Tube & Berger

Why bother: The second Sankeys Warehouse bash sees the institution from across Manchester descend on the huge Victoria Warehouse complex, bringing funky, punchy house and party sounds to the four-room industrial enclave.

Germanic Ibiza regulars Tube & Berger, Dutch Defected man Franky Rizardo, and new discovery Sam Holt are amongst the ones to watch; whilst Basement Jaxx never fail, and some fat guy’s also set to play.

Secretsundaze
Shapes, 117 Wallis Road, London, E9 5LN
10pm — 6am
£14.50 — £19.50

Line-up: Leon Vynehall, Martyn, Joey Anderson, Giles Smith, James Priestley

Why bother: If you’re in the capital and looking for a party after most others have closed, Secretsundaze does it better than the rest. Granted, New Year’s Day falls on a Friday, but that’s besides the point.

This instalment also marks the beginning of the event’s 15th season, which is an achievement in itself, and we can think of few better ways to celebrate all these fresh beginnings than by throwing a few shapes down at Shapes.

The Warehouse Project Day & Night
The Warehouse Project, Store Street, Manchester, M1 2GH
5pm — 5am
£45

Line-up: Adam Beyer, Nina Kraviz, Ben Klock, Pan-Pot, Robert Hood presents Floorplan, Skream, Alan Fitzpatrick b2b B.Traits, Midland, Lucy, Job Jobse, Jasper James...

Why bother: For starters, we couldn’t even fit the full line-up here, such is the high number of quality faces involved. Add to the list above London team Krankbrother, along with Manc stalwarts in the shape of Krysko, Greg Lord and Lauren Lo Sung.

Throw in one of Britain’s best large venues, cap off with the legendary Manchester never-day-die spirit, and you should already have a ticket.