THE FREE EXHIBITION TRACKS THE HISTORY AND INFLUENCE OF UK RAVE CULTURE

Following the immense success of Sweet Harmony’s debut at London’s world-famous Saatchi Gallery in Summer 2019, the exhibition comes to the spiritual home of UK rave for a very special ‘art edit,’ presented by global lifestyle brand Highsnobiety, The Warehouse Project, and British streetwear retailer, size?

The immersive warehouse exhibition is free to enter and open to all, and will take place inside the Depot at Mayfield, the current home of contemporary rave heroes The Warehouse Project.

It follows Highsnobiety’s debut live show in Manchester, which will be headlined by slowthai, Fredo and Mike Skinner on in the same venue on Saturday December 7th.

Sweet Harmony Warehouse / Art Edit is the first exhibition of art and photography to take place in a venue widely considered to be the new home of UK rave, and takes visitors from the days of Acid House and The Hacienda, right through to the movements and collectives that are keeping that legacy alive for generations to come.

It features a wide array of photographs, video and sculpture, inspired by and recovered from the golden era of British underground culture, and has a particular focus on Manchester and other Northern powerhouses.

Underlining the influence of rave on contemporary style trends, size, the UK’s preeminent purveyor of footwear, curate an exploration of some of the scenes most iconic trainers.

Contributions from the likes of Hacienda’s resident photographer Jon Shard, sculptor Conrad Shawcross, filmmaker/ art director Brian Cannon, and photographers Elspeth Mary Moore, Ewen Spencer, Dave Swindells and Al Brown, capture some of the most iconic scenes of UK rave, including the Hacienda, The Stone Roses at Spike Island, the style of Northern Soul and satellite scenes in Salford, Luton, Leeds, Liverpool, and more. Each pays particular attention to the ecstatic crowds at the heart of it all. There will also be art from Dominic from Luton, Jay Chow, James Alec Hardy, Lauren Jo Kelly, Sebastian Matthes and Thomas Watts + more to be announced.

Philly Adams, Saatchi Gallery Director and co-curator of Sweet Harmony said:

“It makes absolute sense to bring Sweet Harmony to Manchester; with so much history, and the city’s current prominent place in the rave culture scene, we are delighted to take an exhibition that began at Saatchi Gallery outside of London for the first time.

“This landmark exhibition is for all ages, is free and is housed in the spectacular Depot”.

The show opens exclusively to ticket holders of Highsnobiety Soundsystem x Warehouse Project on Saturday December 7th, followed by an opening to the general public on Sunday December 8th, running until Wednesday 11th.

Purchase tickets HERE!