Hit & Run's 18th Birthday

Hit & Run Rich Reason — Hit & Run's 18th Birthday - Rich Reason

Eighteen years is a long time for anything, let alone a club night. But Hit & Run isn’t just any night. It’s a movement. A family. A cornerstone of Manchester’s bass scene.

My earliest memories of Hit & Run take me back to Antwerp Mansion. For those who remember, the floorboards that would wobble precariously, the subs that rattled your guts and the doorless toilets that would send you into panic Antwerp was home to many of the founding nights we still see today. That was my introduction to something more than music. It was culture and a community.

The city has changed, venues have come and gone, but Hit & Run remains. Authentic, defiant, and still pushing things forward. And here we stand, nearly two decades later, revelling in its nostalgia. Watch out feature video from inside the rave: Interviews, atmosphere and the love for Bass Music.

For those outside Manchester, Hit & Run is hard to explain. It’s not just a DnB/ Bass event but a movement that continues to innovate. We have our regular talent but tonight celebrated not only those who have curated the platform in which Hit & Run sits but continually pushes forward new artists who sit across the bass genre.

Rich Reason, the man at the helm, is more than a promoter. His impact on the city’s bass scene is undeniable, and it reaches far beyond Manchester. But even himself would say it is more than just him, but a communal feeling and passion. The ethos is simple, everyone is welcome, but there is a standard. Step into this world and you learn fast. Respect the craft. Respect the culture. Understand that this is more than a night out. This is about people who have poured blood, sweat, and tears into their artistry.

The 18th Birthday

Hidden, the venue for this year’s celebration, has had a facelift. The space is slicker, the lighting sharper, but the essence remains. Walking through the two floors still feels like a maze. But all paths lead to bass. The basement is packed, a mass of bodies locked into the beat. Upstairs, the conversation flows freely. Faces old and new, sharing memories, making new ones.

We wanted to speak to people about what Hit & Run means to them. There’s a love here that’s unmistakable, behind the decks and in front of them. The crowd isn’t just here to party; they’re here to celebrate something they’ve been a part of something that has shaped their lives.

Backstage in the green room, the mood is warm. Laughter bounces off the walls, old friends reunited, hugs inbound. This isn’t just a night it seems, but more of a homecoming. There is a mutual respect and admiration, and that we love.

Hidden, not only a fundamental piece of Manchester nightlife, has become a consistent partner in making nights like this happen. Its collaboration with Manchester’s music scene has been instrumental in keeping events like Hit & Run thriving. And on this night, it all came together perfectly.

Acid Rain Music — Our wonderful hosts Will & Connie

Manchester Then & Now Manchester today is a city on the rise. Investment is flooding in. The skyline is shifting. Once-neglected areas are being repackaged as ‘cool new neighbourhoods’. But the city’s soul isn’t found in glossy developments or craft beer bars. It’s in the people who built something from nothing. The working-class communities that have always been the city’s lifeblood. The same people who are now pushing innovation and giving platforms to those who never had one.

Hit & Run is part of that story. It started with nothing but hunger, vision, and a love for bass music. No industry backing. No big budgets. Just a bunch of lads who wanted to create something real. And here we are, 18 years later. A legacy that has shaped Manchester and beyond.

Hit & Run Manchester Event — Need we say more...

The Future

Hit & Run isn’t just a relic of Manchester’s past. It’s part of its future. The city will keep changing. But the people who make it what it is—the ones who create, innovate, and provide spaces for others, well… they aren’t going anywhere.

From the old heads to the new faces, to those yet to come, Hit & Run remains a fundamental night. A place where passion meets bass. A scene that never stops evolving.

To Rich, to Levelz, to every artist, raver, and supporter who has kept this alive thank you. Thanks for letting us come into your world and we look forward to the future. Here’s to another 18 fucking years!