Ewan McVicar delivered a standout three-hour headline performance at MiNT XL in Leeds over Halloween weekend, taking the crowd on a journey through classics, underground and unexpected closing tracks.

Halloween weekend is always one that ravers look forward to. Events all over the world go all out with their line-ups to deliver the ultimate soundtrack to the final night of the spooky season. In Leeds, the recently opened MiNT XL brought together an ace programme, curated and headlined by Scottish superstar Ewan McVicar.

Joining him on the line-up were names such as Special Request, Lammer and Hayley Smith. Spread across the venue’s three rooms, the night was already well underway before McVicar took over the decks in the Ballroom. The support acts set the tone perfectly, keeping all three spaces busy and building anticipation ahead of the headline set.

Walking around the venue, the audience maintained the Halloween spirit alive, with some dressed in costumes inspired by horror films, while others went for a more fun or relaxed look. Regardless of their outfits, the crowd brought an undeniable energy to the venue, which remained consistently high right through to the 6am finish.

Warming up the Ballroom ahead of Ewan McVicar was Leeds legend Special Request aka Paul Woolford, whose set was definitely one of the night’s highlights. Following him, the Scottish headliner took to the stage for a three-hour set, delivering arguably one of the best performances MiNT XL has seen so far.

Ewan McVicar’s Set: Old-School, New-School, Generational

Running for three hours, this was not your regular festival set. It was a journey through both new and old sounds, from dance classics known by everyone in the crowd to more niche gems.

While McVicar dropped expected tracks, including two of his biggest hits, ‘Heather Park’ and ‘Miracle Makers’, he also brought out surprise weapons such as The Prodigy’s 1992 classic ‘Out of Space’ and Jeff Mills’ famous ‘The Bells’.

The three-hour set felt more like a lesson in dance music, taking the audience through various house subgenres, techno and even a touch of trance. Even McVicar himself took to Instagram Stories the following day to reflect on the night, describing just how much it meant to him: “Over the last five years I rarely get to be ‘Ewan’ not Ewan McVicar […] that was so so special.”

After three hours of absolute electronic music heaters, the DJ decided to finish on a different repertoire. He played two iconic non-dance records, to which the crowd sang almost every word. First came ABBA’s ‘Voulez-Vous’, followed by the closing track, Toto’s ‘Africa’.

Leaving the venue, you just knew missing out on a night’s sleep was worth it. Not only did Ewan McVicar’s set surpass all expectations, but the combination of a constantly dancing crowd, MiNT XL’s Funktion One Vero sound system, its no-phone policy and the overall atmosphere made this a night for the books.