In the heart of Manchester’s pulsating nightlife, a dynamic duo is redefining what it means to be underground.

Manchester’s nightlife scene is ablaze, thanks in no small part to the dynamic duo of Jay Wearden and Rosie Romero. Their events, from the iconic Monastery to electrifying boat parties, have become synonymous with the city’s vibrant underground culture. In a candid conversation with Mike Mannix, the pair delved into the secrets behind their meteoric rise and their unwavering passion for creating unforgettable experiences.

“The scene is on fire here,” Jay and Rosie enthusiastically declared when asked about their relentless pursuit of pushing boundaries. Their events are more than just parties; they’re immersive experiences that foster a sense of community and acceptance. As Rosie put it, “It is a massive difference, and to see all those happy faces.”

Their latest venture, “The Yard,” held in a stunning Victorian venue, perfectly encapsulated their vision. “It felt really Bohemian, you know, it was organic,” Rosie explained. With a carefully curated lineup featuring artists like Chad Jackson, Ragga Twins, and Killaman, the event was a triumph. “I’ve got goosebumps now, going down my arms, going down my legs, just thinking about it, talking about it,” Jay admitted, the excitement palpable.

 

Looking ahead, Jay and Rosie have no plans to slow down. With boat parties, The Thunderdome Rebuilt, and Faydz at The Loft on the horizon, they’re already laying the groundwork for an even bigger event next year. Their infectious energy and unwavering commitment to their craft make them a force to be reckoned with in the Manchester music scene.

As Mike Mannix aptly summarized, “Jay and Rosie are on fire.” Their ability to create spaces where people can truly be themselves is a testament to their talent and dedication. With each event, they’re not just throwing a party; they’re building a movement.

In this exclusive we dive straight into the minds of Jay and Rosie, uncovering the secrets behind their meteoric rise and the relentless drive that keeps them pushing boundaries.

With no downtime in sight, they’re already gearing up for next year’s even bigger and bolder events. As they navigate their way to yet another pivotal meeting, they share insights into their journey, the artists that inspire them, and the unique vibe that sets their gatherings apart, where vision meets reality, and the dance floor becomes a sanctuary of freedom and expression.

Mike Mannix – So yeah, fuck it, we’ll just dive straight into it. So just following on from the massive, success of The Monastery. You didn’t really get any downtime at all, did you?

Jay & Rosie – No, there’s no downtime, and we’ve just been straight into the one for next year as well.

”In fact, we’re just on our way to a meeting for the one next year, which is even bigger than The Monastery.”

Mike Mannix – Jesus, you’re on fire, the two of you at the moment, man.

Jay & Rosie – It is, the scene here is on fire.

Mike Mannix – You’re fully-fledged promoters these days?

Jay & Rosie – It doesn’t feel like that to us. It feels more DIY, almost like a pop-up. Very organic. Even though, lots of planning and thought goes into it. We both still feel like, it’s like something we want to do rather than have to do. So to answer that, it is more of a no. We have a vision and we do it, we create it, it gets us excited. We’re going to go for it, we want to do it. The more we do it, the more nice messages we get. We are all as one.

”There’s just no egos and you dance how you want to dance, you be what you want to be, you do what you want to do.”

It is a massive difference, and to see all those happy faces.

Mike Mannix – That looks amazing, by the way. I think what it is, you’re both who you are all the time, do you know what I mean?

Jay & Rosie – Yeah, yeah, we are all together. If you want to come on the stage and take people upstairs, you know, we just want to create that free, happy space where everybody’s accepted.

Mike Mannix – It’s not one, you’ve created it and you’re just bouncing along now to the next one and it’s amazing to see.

Jay & Rosie – Yeah, the hardest thing, yes, Mike, is you never think you’ve created it, you always think.

Mike Mannix – I can do better.

Jay & Rosie – Yeah.

Mike Mannix – Yeah, of course, but that’s good though, never sit on your laurels, you know.

Jay & Rosie – No, and it’s always pushing that envelope. We’ve never, ever had so much positive feedback. I’m not just saying that. They’re saying it was the best yet. It was such a unique space and it was such a unique vibe and, you know, we really carefully selected the acts that would work with each other, would work with that time frame.

”It felt really Bohemian, you know, it was organic. It was like a festival in the most beautiful venue that was a Victorian old school.”

It’s been renovated to such a fantastic standard. I think it just blew everybody’s head off. And, you know, I love it at night when it gets to dusk and then the stars, you can see twinkling and then the lights, it just creates this atmosphere and you can feel it ready to go.

Mike Mannix – So tell us about that, tell us about the artists, name them and then we’ll circle back to the planning of the whole thing and then we can go on with it. So tell us about the artists then, who did you have?

Jay & Rosie – Well, I wrote a list, I wrote a list and every single person on that list said yes. It was like my dream list and I thought about it long and hard how I wanted, you know, it was almost like me planning a set. Yeah, like

Chad Jackson who made me believe that I could sort of be a DJ because he tore it up in the mid to late ’80s, he became a world champion.”

It made me believe that the art form that I was in love with, that you could go places, he changed my life really. Him and Stu Allan back in the late ’80s, mid to late ’80s, they proved that DJing was an art form. It wasn’t just playing two records together. We wanted it to be distinctly different like everything else we do.

Yeah, but underground, you know, we thought like the Ragga Twins were a perfect fit and obviously Genaside 2 were too. And almost Mancunian in vibe really, even though the Ragga Twins aren’t. A few people have said in the music scene that what we do, it feels really Mancunian in the way that we do it. It fits the identity of the city, you know, that sort of rough around the edges, very deep really in a way.

”We are what we are, no excuses, proud of our what we represent culturally.”

It’s not about trying to be pretty or anything, it’s just trying to make you feel something and move you. Chad was on there dropping science, then  Edzy from Unique 3 did a special set for that with a live singer, Janine was playing was fabulous. MC Tunes delivered and was really interactive as he always is, you know, because he’s an amazing MC. You can see why the Haçienda always use him.  Up next was Fadyz, who is a proper showman with immense technical skills like Chad Jackson, he’s just got pure skill.

It was about DJs that can generate excitement in different ways, because it’s a different vibe, isn’t it, than a club. It’s outside, that feeling of being out there and being free. Faith absolutely tore the crowd up. And then, you know, brought us nicely into the headline action inside too, Janine on vocals, an amazing vocalist, so she set the scene, and then Killer Man just absolutely destroyed it, and he just looked out into the crowd, and everybody was on his every syllable. Yeah, pointing, screaming,

it was a magic moment. I will never, ever, ever forget. I’ve got goosebumps now,

going down my arms, going down my legs, just thinking about it, talking about it, you know, that’s what we wanted to create.

Mike Mannix – All the boxes were ticked, even if it didn’t rain as well.

Jay & Rosie – We knew it wouldn’t rain. We put that much energy out there, it was not going to rain, we knew it was going to be great.

Mike Mannix – Brilliant, so tell us then what you’ve got coming up then. You kind of alluded to some of that earlier on, and like what, I know you’ve got a gig coming up, you can talk about that, and then you’ve got something in the planning stages.

Jay & Rosie – So yeah, we’ve got the next one is the boat party. We do four boat parties a year, they’re just 60 people, we’ll see what and why you’re all going along the Manchester Canal. It’s just me, I can play absolutely anything, because I feel like I’m totally connected, it’s like being in the middle of the dance floor. Yeah, the energy is just off the scale, so, and because everybody’s so in close proximity, and it’s a really low ceiling, it’s just like an explosion going off.

Mike Mannix – And where’s the Thunderdome on?

Jay & Rosie – It’s back in Hidden in Manchester, it was voted the best club in the UK. 

Mike Mannix – Yeah, I’ve been in there, I love it.

Jay & Rosie – Yeah, we love it as well, that is our spiritual home, that is the ultimate for us in there, you know, for me it’s my favorite,

it’s just so underground, so dirty, so filthy, so naughty, so basic,

it’s, you know, we just, we have that feeling that no one can ever replicate, that we all get together when we go in there, and it’s like gold. It’s pure.

After that, we’ve got Faydz playing for us at the Loft, it’s a 360 DJ booth, so we’ve had Mr. C, we’ve had Utah Saints, and we thought that Fades would be great to have up close and personal. Yeah, brilliant. So that’s the rest of the year, and then obviously we’re just on our way now to meeting for next year, so.

Mike Mannix – Nice one, Jay and Rosie!

Jay & Rosie – Thanks, always a pleasure, Mike.

 

In my time covering the dance music scene, I’ve encountered many promoters, but Jay Wearden and Rosie Romero truly stand out. Their unwavering passion, relentless drive, and genuine love for the music and their community set them apart from the rest. They don’t just create events; they craft immersive experiences that resonate deeply with their audience.

Whether it’s through their intimate boat parties or grandiose events like The Monastery and The Yard, Jay and Rosie have a unique ability to make every attendee feel like a part of something special. Their vision goes beyond just throwing a good party; it’s about fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance, where everyone can express themselves freely.

What impresses me most about Jay and Rosie is their refusal to rest on their laurels. They are constantly pushing the envelope, always striving to outdo themselves and bring something new to the table. Their upcoming plans promise even more groundbreaking events, blending the best of music, atmosphere, and community. It’s clear that for Jay and Rosie, this isn’t just a job; it’s a calling.

Their dedication and integrity shine through in every event they host, making them true pillars of the Manchester nightlife scene. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next and am confident that whatever it is, it will be nothing short of spectacular.

 

 

The Yard Review Chris Glover

In this day and age putting nights on isn’t the easiest thing to do, due to cost of living, other financial and social constraints, it takes dedication, passion, originality and vision.

Originality, passion and thinking outside of the box are key. Take into careful consideration venue selection, music, it starts to build part of the cornerstones of a puzzle, put them in the right place ensuring they fit, and those passionate will come from all corners of the UK and beyond, thus completing the puzzle.

It was the 1^st open air event promoted by Jay Wearden & Rosie Romero. Between the two of them they have that passion a unique vision, a vision so unique that only them 2 share and through careful planning their visions come to fruition.

“The Yard” alone has an alternate history having been a Victorian school house and evidence of that is still seen in the physical form with the cobbled road that runs through the middle of venue as well as the outside architecture.

Detailed artwork added to the walls, industrial containers give you a feeling of creativity and originality combining an industrial feel to the venue and ties to the city. If you can dream it, vision your ideas this creative hub has no limits, remember this is near enough in the middle of Manchester, a skyline which is now ever changing on a yearly basis.

When I reflect back on the night, the night always intrigued me from the offset, the venue, the music. The old school scene is still very much alive in Manchester and thriving under the guidance of Jay & Rosie. A mix of DJ’s and live performances always adds to the originality of the night, with each night being unique with and understanding of its origins.

The line up itself spoke volumes, Ragga Twins, Genaside II, DJ Faydz, Chad Jackson, Unique 3, MC Tunes, Jay Wearden all pioneers which has shaped and influenced today’s scene in some way shape or form and bring their own style. Artist that played, performed in different genres, but also understood the crowd, feeding off their vibe and emotions giving them what they wanted.

The night was a wash of those that see each other regularly, but for me it was a case of burning rubber up the M6 from the Midlands trying to visualize what was to come on the way up.

The excitement, anticipation grew the nearer I got, to the point I was in the thick of it, meeting those that I hadn’t seen in a few months, some that had been out of the country, some that wanted to reconnect, some I never met before and made new friends. This is what these nights are about, its re connecting with those, for me I don’t see every weekend and hold dear for our passion of music and the scene.

These nights are always special you create a bond; you create friendships. I remember looking around numerous times looking at those that surrounded me reacting to the music, be a base line thumping away and Jay Wearden setting of the car alarms at the start. Unique 3 playing some mighty fine bleep techno. The acid house drops from Chad Jackson, MC Tunes who never fails to disappoint and knows exactly what the crowd wants.

The impressive DJ Faydz, changing key direction or tempo, scratching old school classics, the sensational Ragga twins and Killaman from Genaside II rapping over old beats absolutely hammering it.

Everyone who performed on that stage complimented each other in such a way it built the night up with everyone wanting more. If there was a roof to blow off it would have been blown off numerous times that night. Everyone exploding into a waves of rhythm, reacting to the drops, vocals, living the moment with hands held high.

As I looked around with a sense of euphoria I knew one thing, we all came together as a collective, for the love of music, understanding no matter where you’re from, who you are, we are all equal and we all have that common theme, and that theme is our love for music. You only had to look in all directions to feel it vibrated throughout the night.

This open-air event in “The Yard” had it all for those that were in attendance understanding yet again, Jay & Rosie not only gave us a phenomenal line up they had once again upped the bar to the next level.

I revert to my one of my first statements mentioning, dedication, vision, originality, passion, thinking outside the box and music. Put all the pieces in place, and you constantly up the bar from the previous event.

I was listening to a track completely of genre to the above where it mentioned “rhythm is fundamental to the spirit” need I say no more!