After the phenomenal response to the initial Electric Weekender announcement, the Unabombers have now added more to the weekend celebration of art, music and food. The weekend will feature Explorer’s Chronicle, an exhibition of original artworks by the multi-talented DJ and artist, Justin Robertson. And for the first-time ever, ‘The Manchester Kebab’ will be available on the outside street grill, which is a collaboration between Robert Owen Brown and Volta.
Thursday 25th May
The first day will see the launch of Justin Robertson The Explorer’s Chronicle exhibition, which is the first showing of Justin’s new collection of art. Drawing on the great tradition of botanical sketching, his inspirational work depicts the flora and fauna of this alternate universe. The artwork will be available to buy from The Refuge by Volta and Justin will be on hand from Thursday over the course of weekend to talk to art lovers about his work. Justin will also playing in the public bar, officially marking the beginning of the Electric Weekender.
Friday 26th May
On Friday, Francois K will be playing a special set in the Refuge basement, taking dancers on a journey through New York between 1977-87 via the spirit of the City’s legendary club. This is the only ticketed event over the weekend and tickets are now running low for this unique show. In the bar will be one of Sheffield’s most esteemed DJs, the right honourable disco-deliverer – Chris Duckenfield.
Saturday 27th May
The basement will open its doors from 5pm till late for a special tap takeover by local craft hero’s ShinDigger. Featuring on draft for the evening will be New England IPA (new release), Mango Unchained, Everything’s Peachy, Pils and Weiss. A can selection will include Session IPA. There will be free arcade machines, with classic retro games including Space Invaders, Mortal Combat, Pac Man and many more.
Traditional and classic bar snacks are being created by legendary chef – Robert Owen Brown – with the centre piece being his Manchester Kebab that he has created with the help of the Unabombers, which will be served on the street above the basement refuge. The Manchester Kebab, with a nod to Yorkshire thanks to Luke and Justin’s roots, is made from a Yorkshire pudding mix rolled out into a naan, filled with a Volta favourite – Lamb Shawarma – and a mixed Vimto Sriracha sauce, available all day Saturday and Sunday.
For the first time since the Pride Weekend Come As You Are party, Saturday will see the Refuge’s outside space taken over for a ‘summer of love’ street party hosted by Love International, whose Croatian festival has won the hearts of thousands of people from all over the globe.
Set times and full line-up will be;
- 12:00-14:00 Aficionado Recordings/Moonboots & Jason Boardman
- 14:00-16:00 Begin (James Holroyd)
- 16:00-17:30 Neil Diablo
- 17.30-19:00 Chris Massey Music
- 19:00-21:00 Alex Barck (Jazzanova)
- 21:00-23:00 Unabombers.
The Saturday evening will see the ADHoc Records label launch in the basement adding to the pub vibes, and featuring Jazzanova’s Alex Barack as headliner late into the night, plus more on the night, for a free entry event.
Sunday 28th May
For the last day of the Electric Weekender, Refuge is hosting an all-day collaboration with Ibiza’s infamous Pikes Hotel. From daytime to dusk The Refuge will feature Ibizan legends and Balearic jocks galore with Spanish wine selections alongside pop up food by the award-winning Levanter (a favourite of Jay Rayner) with a basement soiree to close off this three-day gathering of like-minded souls from 11pm till late.
The line-up for Pikes Sunday courtyard party is:
- 11:00am The Brothers Grim present A Balearic Brunch
- 13.00-14.30 Annabel Fraser
- 14:30 – 16:00 Craig Christon
- 16:00-17:30 Neil Diablo
- 17:30-19:00 Nancy Noise
- 19:00-21.00 DJ Alfredo
- 21:00-23:00 Leo Mas.
The party then continues in The Refuge Basement:
- 23:00-00:30 Paulette
- 00:30-02:00 Unabombers
- 02:00-04:00 Justin Robertson.
