Fred Again and Sammy Virji surprise Newcastle with last minute set at World Headquarters

Fred Again took to his Instagram Story on Tuesday to announce unexpectedly he would be playing at World Headquarters in two days’ time.  

The world-renowned artist added he would be joined by fellow DJ Sammy Virji, a Newcastle University alumnus, for the set yesterday.

Virji enjoyed Worldies during his student days. According to Fred Again, it was here that Virji first decided he wanted to DJ, making it a sentimental return to Toon nightlife.

Supporting them on the decks was local female DJ Becky Woodcock, who expressed her gratitude to World Headquarters and the smaller, independent promoters who back the club. 

With only 40 tickets available, the set was intimate, but incredible nonetheless. It was the fastest sell-out the club has ever experienced, marking an important moment in Worldies’ history.

Stickers were placed on phones upon entry, with World Headquarters encouraging attendees to “lose yourself in the music.”

Having headlined Reading and Leeds this year, Fred’s appearance at World Headquarters as a big-name artist celebrates the club’s well-established presence in Newcastle as a grassroots venue. Having had its 30th anniversary in 2023, it’s one of the Toon’s top underground clubs, and a firm favourite amongst Geordie ravers.

Geordie fans were given an extra chance to snag tickets for the event when World Headquarters announced an Instagram giveaway on Wednesday. They were offering four tickets to Newcastle residents if they commented their favourite memory in the club.

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Fans were not shy, writing paragraphs, some verging on the edge of essays, for a chance to see the DJs currently at the top of their scene. The winners, announced at 4pm the day of the event, brought their nostalgic A-game. There were so many legendary throwbacks that seven winners were awarded tickets, including someone who met their fiance at Worldies and a tale of a huge conga line:

“Accidentally started a conga line that ended in the smoking area, picked up three strangers, one doorman, and a guy in a Spider-Man suit. Nobody knew where we were going. We still don’t. Iconic.”

While the rest of us cry and throw up at the two day window given to grab tickets, those of you who were lucky enough to bag some can go ahead and take a well deserved victory lap x