🔥 North Social Presents: The Freshers Shutdown 🔥
Saturday 27th September
📍 Revolution, 1 Fishergate, Preston, PR1 3NN
🕗 8PM – 3AM
🎧 Powered by Cheat Code Audio
It's raving season and North Social is back to blow the roof off Preston with a night dedicated to the freshest sounds from the underground! Whether you’re just landing in the city or you’re a North Social regular, this is the ultimate way to kick off the academic year in style. Expect a high-energy crowd, pure shellers from start to finish, and Grime, UKG, Bassline, and Drum & Bass all night long.
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🚨 HEADLINERS:
🎧 DJ Slimzee
A true legend of the UK underground, DJ Slimzee is one of the founding fathers of grime and a pivotal figure in the evolution of 140 bass music. As a co-founder of Rinse FM and original member of the Pay As U Go Cartel—a crew that launched the careers of Wiley, Dizzee Rascal, Maxwell D, and more—Slimzee helped shape the sound of a generation. His early Sidewinder tape pack sets with Wiley and Dizzee have become the stuff of folklore, showcasing his forward-thinking selection and unmistakable energy behind the decks.
With roots in jungle and UK garage, Slimzee’s influence stretches across decades, from running the foundational Slimzos Recordings label to earning a gold disc for his contribution to Boy In Da Corner. The Rinse FM studio even operated out of his house for a year, and his dedication to pirate radio—including setting up aerials and transmitters—once earned him a rooftop ASBO.
Performances for Boiler Room and Red Bull Music Academy have further cemented his status as a master selector, known for dark, boundary-pushing sets that keep crowds locked from start to finish. Recent studio work has seen Slimzee team up with Boylan and Rikodan to release 'Mile End' in 2023.
Now, Slimzee is bringing the full spectrum—grime, UKG, 140, jungle, and drum & bass—in a 90-minute, 360-degree journey through the underground. Get ready, Preston.
🎤 Rikodan
One of the UK’s most electrifying MCs, Rikodan is a foundational voice in grime and a true veteran of the underground. Rising to prominence in 2004 as a core member of the original Roll Deep crew, he helped lay the blueprint for a genre that would redefine British music. But Rikodan’s influence extends far beyond grime—his sound system roots run deep, with heavy credentials across bashment, jungle, dubstep, and 140.
Known for his sharp, conscious lyrics and relentless energy, Rikodan brings raw authenticity to every set. He’s not just spitting bars—he’s telling stories. A true voice of the streets, his live performances hit hard, blending raw emotion with razor-sharp delivery.
With a prolific discography that spans decades, Rikodan has featured on countless underground anthems and heavyweight collabs, earning deep respect from fans and peers alike. Recent years have seen him break new ground, including chart success with Rudimental, Skepsis, and Charlotte Plank on the 2024 single “Green and Gold”—a clear reminder that his voice still resonates across the UK and beyond.
Whether shelling it down on stage or lacing a beat in the studio, Rikodan continues to push the culture forward. From grime’s roots to its next evolution, he remains one of the scene’s most vital and uncompromising voices.
🎧 EJ
A true pioneer of the UK’s underground sound, DJ EJ—known to many as Da Farda (The Godfather) of Bassline—has been a driving force behind the rise and evolution of 4x4 bass music for over two decades. Hailing from Wolverhampton and deeply rooted in the Midlands’ rave culture, EJ’s name is synonymous with bassline, bass house, and UK garage, bringing relentless energy and raw authenticity to every set.
Kicking off his career in 2004 with a chart-topping 4x4 remix of LAS’s “VIP”, EJ quickly established himself as a key figure in the scene. But it was his now-legendary "EJucation" mixtape series that truly solidified his status—showcasing not only his surgical precision on the decks, but also elevating new talent and pushing the sound of bassline to wider audiences. Add to that his "Vocal Therapy" and "Septik" series, and you’ve got a discography that has shaped dance floors and influenced a generation.
Whether he’s producing heavyweight bangers or shelling down raves with his signature high-octane blends, DJ EJ brings a deep connection to the culture and a sharp ear for what gets crowds moving. His sets are masterclasses in UK bass—fusing bassline, garage, and bass house with precision, style, and heavy low-end pressure.
From pirate radio to global stages, DJ EJ’s legacy is carved into the foundation of UK dance music. Get ready for a full-body workout—because when EJ touches down, it’s nothing but pure, undiluted shellings.
🎤 Sox
Birmingham’s elite spitter and one of the sharpest voices in the new wave of grime, Sox has been making serious noise with his rapid-fire flows, razor-sharp wordplay, and explosive stage presence. A long-standing figure in the Midlands scene and a respected name on mic circuits across the UK, Sox is part of the new-school energy keeping grime alive, raw, and unpredictable.
Known for his fast, intelligent lyrical style and next-level breath control, he’s blowing away the competition and earning reloads wherever he touches mic. Whether it’s shelling sets or shutting down cyphers, Sox delivers with precision, aggression, and creativity—making him a must-watch in grime’s ever-evolving landscape.
His work with Red Bull Music Academy further cemented his rising profile, bringing his talent to a wider audience while staying rooted in the streets that built him. A true product of Birmingham’s grime DNA, Sox combines chaos, charisma, and clarity in equal measure.
Expect reloads. Expect crowd eruptions. Expect lyrical warfare. Sox is here—and he’s not holding back.
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🔥 SUPPORT FROM
B-52 • Kamakaze • Aby Nyx • MLD • Uncle L • Gizmo • Parky • Basra • KLG • Adam Mac & LJ
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💥 MUSIC POLICY:
Grime • UK Garage • Bassline • Drum & Bass
Delivered through the earth-shaking Cheat Code Audio sound system.
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🎟️ Tickets are flying – grab yours now from Skiddle and be part of the shutdown.
Strictly 18+ | ID required | R.O.A.R.
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