Tribal Gathering party called off

Grooverider was among DJs due to perform at the event

The Tribal Gathering dance music festival, due to take place in Manchester over the May bank holiday, has been cancelled.

Organisers called off the Warehouse Party 2 over safety concerns and licensing problems - which would have meant scaling down the event.

Armand Van Helden, Stanton Warriors, Jazzy Jeff and Grooverider were among those due to take part.

Refunds are available for those who have bought tickets.

Warehouse

This year's event was scheduled to take place at a different warehouse to the 2003 event, and organisers had planned for a capacity of 10,000.

However, they only received a provisional licence for 7,000, because it was not possible to install more fire exits at the venue.

It was decided to cancel the event rather than cut down on the line-up and production costs.

Organiser David Vincent said he was "gutted" at having to cancel the event.

"Much as I love the party, it would have hurt me if we were forced to present the public with an inferior warehouse feeling," he said.

Organisers now plan to stage a "massive and totally original" event in 2005, he said.