Laurent Garnier will headline the last ever New Year's Eve party at legendary London club The End. The French techno mainstay will play for most of the night, with support from The End resident and co-owner Layo.

Up in the AKA bar, Freerange will be in charge, with sets confirmed from Jimpster, Milton Jackson, Pash Ostovar and Matt Masters. In other news, the club has hooked up with fashion label Eio to create a fitting range of t-shirts to commemorate the club.

Emblazoned with the legend 'Til Death Do Us Party', they cost 29.99 (inc. free delivery to anywhere in the world) and are available from www.endclub.com. The club closes for good on January 24. Details of the line-up for the closing weekend are to be confirmed.

Source : www.defected.com

One of London’s legendary house hangouts, The End, kicks off its ‘closing down’ festivities in less than a month now. German techno-meister Sven Vath touches down December 6 for the club’s 13th and final ever birthday celebrations. Dancefloor emotions are expected run high on a night also featuring sets from Mr C and Layo & Bushwacka!

The End confirmed its dramatic intention to sell up back in September – a decision apparently borne out of circumstance as much as deliberate boardroom choice. ‘An opportunity arose that made us think even more deeply about what we wanted for The End in the future,’ explains Zoe Paskin, Director. ‘We discussed with the people that make the club what it is behind the scenes whether we wanted to carry the club on, and whether we could all continue to be as engaged. It was inevitable people would eventually want to move on….’

Layo, fellow Director, adds: ‘We’ve had offers for the club before, and yes, this was the best one. But I wouldn’t say that it’s so good that it makes this a purely financial issue – it’s a circumstantial issue, coupled with financial. It’s a lot to do with the timing. The loss will be huge – it’s my life, but you can stay in something too long. I think it’s wonderful to be able to open a place, run it, and close it all on your own terms.’

The End’s major farewell parties will take place in January, some of the venue’s closest promoters and DJs being given special one-off platforms to say their sonic farewells. A final closing weekend will follow January 24-25 with a busload of special guests.

‘We may be closing but I see the final parties as one long celebration’ Paskin teasingly concludes. Line-ups, we hear, are set to be announced in the next fortnight but keep in with us or www.endclub.com for the breaking news.

Source : www.defected.com

Manchester's Warehouse Project can stay in its current venue for another year – and it's all thanks to the credit crunch. The organisers of the events were set to be ejected from their premises in Store Street on January 1.

But now the glass hotel and skyscraper apartment building that was set to be built on the site next door to the temporary club space has been canned. "We have found a real home at this venue and staying means that we can develop the space even more for the 2009 series," read a statement.

"Many thanks to all those who signed the petition - ultimately we didn't need it, but your support was nonetheless much appreciated."

In the meantime there are events running up to New Year's Day, featuring appearances from the likes of LFO, Happy Mondays, John Digweed, Mylo, Steve Lawler and LTJ Bukem.

For full line-ups, check out www.thewarehouseproject.com

Source : www.defected.com

Didier Sinclair, a pioneering figure on France's techno music scene, has died at the age of 43, his agent announced.

Sinclair - a DJ, musician and producer who was artistic director of FG Dj Radio - died on Thursday after an unspecified illness.

He started out on France's youth-oriented NRJ radio in 1982, and went on to score his first recording success with the album 'Groove2me' in 1999.

The following year, his "Lovely Flight" became an international hit, and Sinclair became a regular behind the turntables in big techno clubs.

In April, Sinclair brought out a new album titled 'Do You Speak?', but his website announced he had suspended all appearances for health reasons and that he hoped to be back in spring of 2009.

Source : www.defected.com

London clubbing institution Ministry of Sound is launching a 'DJ academy'.

One-day courses will take place at the club itself, and will allow novice jocks to test out the club's sprawling sound system. Beat mixing with vinyl and CD will be taught, along with headphone work, pitch control, cueing and tips on track selection.

Among the DJ tutors are Danny Rampling, Karl Brown, Ray Keith, Chad Jackson and Ministry regular Jazzy M. Students will get themselves a special Ministry goodie bag filled with CDs, vinyl and guest passes to the club, along with a course booklet featuring advice on how to break into the industry.

Introductory prices start from £299.

Source : www.defected.com