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THIS NEW YEAR’S EVE WITNESS THE CITY’S SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS FROM THE 43RD FLOOR For bookings contact 052 465 7870 / 044 435 403 or email info@q43dubai.com
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NEW YEAR’S EVE AT AQUA Party hard this New Year’s Eve and dress to impress at the epic all-inclusive pool deck party with unrivalled views of the city and live DJ sets from Smokingroove and Adam J. AED 500 PER PERSON, including a welcome drink, free-flowing house beverages and signature canapés from 7pm - 11pm AED 250 PER PERSON, including free-flowing house beverages from 11pm - 3am Safe Smokingroove from 8pm -11pm Adam J from 11pm - 3am For inquiries, please call +971 4 414 3000 Tickets are available at platinumlist.com *Must be 21 years and above to enter
JW Marriott Marquis Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE T +971 4 414 3000 | jwmmrr@marriott.com jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com JW Marriott Marquis Dubai JWDubaiMarquis jwmarriottmarquisdubai
TALAL BUDEBS Publisher CHARL CHAKA Managing Partner charlchaka@infusion.ae Sales/marketing magazine@infusion.ae STU TODD Editor editor@infusion.ae PAULA MANGUEIRA Design design@infusion.ae SONIA IGNACIO Operations operations@infusion.ae CONTRIBUTORS: Neil Henderson, Tarik Omar and Bagdat BG INFUSION IS PUBLISHED BY Milehigh Media, LLC PO Box 53443 – Dubai, UAE Tel/Fax: 04 368 8098
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NYE. The sheer amount of party choices on offer is staggering. Something for everybody and their pocket size. A new trailer for Narcos’ 4th season has recently been aired confirming that it will be based in Mexico. Viva la Narcos.
Cult 90’s sitcom Rosanne is also going to be getting a reboot. If you are too young for the original series treat yourself.
GUEST LIST BLACK LIST Vibe Series discontinuing their weekly parties.
infusionmagazine
NYE traffic.
OUR PARTNERS Rumour has it that Stranger Things will not return for a third season! Say it aint so. We don’t about you but the festive excesses have got us already looking forward to January 2nd and it’s not even Xmas yet!
Say What? READY PLAYER ONE
Steven Spielberg has always dropped jaws with his ability to transport the watcher in to a totally different universe and he has done it again, literally. Ready Player One chronicles the life of a young lad who lives in a dystopian reality devoid of hope and meaning, but once he puts on his VR goggles he is whisked off to a world called the Oasis where he is more than just a number. This looks visually stunning and has more than a few connotations to real life. Keep your eyes peeled for a release date early 2018.
FINSHED SYMPATHY
Recently 3D of Massive Attack has hit out at Pete Tong and his use of the bands seminal hit “Unfinished Sympathy” in his Ibiza Classics concert as there had been no request to actually use the track. This has caused a bit of a stir in the music world as the song is a major part of Massive Attack’s live show and during their rendition of the song the band highlight the plight of displaced people in refugee camps and use the opportunity to raise funds for UNHCR. What is your take on the argument?
WE LOVE VIBE SERIES
We have said it before and we will say it again, at Infusion Magazine we love Vibe Series. Over the past 5 years their weekly parties have brought some amazing guests to town, the rap sheet is far too long to list here, but believe us its looooong and very impressive. These parties are also mega fun, we know, strange that a night out should not be spent trainspotting every track but actually enjoy the music and atmosphere. Weird. Another thing that Vibe Series and the Third Eye Crew that is responsible for these party’s value greatly is local talent, without them these events and scores like it would not be nearly as successful. So, it pains Infusion Magazine tremendously to even dare type the words and to accept that these weekly parties will be coming to an end with the last party of the year on Friday, December 29 with Minus artist Heartthrob. We have been reliably informed that Vibe Series will be putting on parties in 2018, but not the weekly shindigs they have become known and loved for. Hats off to Rima and her hardworking team and we wish you all the success in the world. facebook.com/vibeseries/
What we did SOLE DXB CLOSING PARTY, D3
This year’s event was their biggest yet and heavyweight bookings came in the for of Anderson .Paak, Pusha T, DJ Shortcut and Teyana Taylor amongst others but one of the firm fixtures which never disappoints is the closing party with the tag team performance from Tom Crane, Dave Lubin and Andy Baxter. Returning for their 4th year aginst the backdrop of the Puma store and main stage, the 3 seasoned DJ’s more than stepped up to the occasion and from the outset had the crowd eating out of the palm of their hand. Dropping hip bangers “Forgot About Dre”, Cypress Hill’s raucous “When The Sh*t Goes Down” and the stage shaking “Hip Hop” from Dead Prez. With an event of this sort there will be genuine fashion and music heads attending but there is also attention gained from wannabes and misinformed individuals, special mention goes to the fashion victim sporting a garish spangly gold jacket without even a hint of irony and another sporting a confederations flag patch?! Take the rough with the smooth, but I will definitely be back even if it’s just to catch these 3 DJ’s in action again. Words by Stu Todd
KRANK FESTIVAL
Having already conquered most major cities in India, Indivibe and Krank Festival is making its way to Dubai for the first UAE edition of their hugely successful boutique festival. Having played host to top names in recent years such as Robert Babicz, Christian Smith, Martin Roth and Matt Sassari, the 4 day festival is shaping up to welcome top artists such as Nick Curly and Ryan Crosson to their retreat at Re:FRESH club in Goa between December 27-30. Krank has also recently dipped its toe in to the Dubai nightlife scene with a rip-roaring party at Industrial Avenue, The Westin featuring Ma Faiza and our very own TODD. Keep an eye out for more details coming in 2018. facebook.com/krankgoa OUT WITH A BANG
News has emerged that as well as the Burj Khalifa dispensing with their usual fireworks extravaganza in favour of a light show, it has been revealed that JBR Beach, La Mer and Al Seef will also follow suit. It remains to be seen what will take its place, especially at JBR Beach; one of the biggest draws on NYE for outdoor public partying, but rest assured the arrival of 2018 will not pass by unannounced. Fireworks displays from Atlantis The Palm, Burj Al Arab and Club Vista Mare amongst others will be clearly viewed.
SUN, 31ST DECEMBER
I N C O L L A B O R AT I O N W I T H
F O R I N F O & R E S E R VAT I O N S : + 9 7 1 5 4 4 4 9 6 4 6 4 | R E S E R VAT I O N S @ E L C H I R I N G U I T O - D U B A I . C O M
BASEMENT JAXX
Ahead of their headlining DJ set at Inner City Zoo at Rixos Hotel, JBR, Infusion Magazine sat down with Felix Buxton, one half of Basement Jaxx to talk about the band, their music and the future of The Jaxx…
You have been all over the place recently playing DJ sets, how have your sets been received? It’s been great, it’s been to actually put the live show on hold for a minute to get more back to where we started, compared to when we started the scene is now so huge, the speakers are bigger, the venues are bigger but its good. People are dancing and club music is as healthy as ever. It’s actually quite similar to what we were playing when we started. What sort of music are you playing in your sets? We play house music to dance to, really eclectic, some underground, some over ground, something old, some new, something borrowed, something blue, we even throw in a bit of classical music now and then. We are not narrow minded in what we play, often DJ’s can get trapped in their little clique. Really we just play music that makes sense with loads of people. What gigs have you played that’s really stood out? We have been playing Ibiza lots this year and it’s been great, its generally lots of people on holiday dancing and drinking overpriced drinks, people are in a good mood so it’s a very easy gig. We have also been in Japan, Bali, all over the place actually, it’s been a pretty busy year. I think generally like anything in life I don’t build anything up and I just go in and take it how it is and have the best night and do the best that I can do. There has been lots of festivals and more
grime related ones seem to have come up as this seems to be this year’s new flava. Everybody seems to be having a really great time all over the place in different countries, while there is all this doom and gloom with Trump and Brexit everybody seems to be getting on well and letting off steam very well. I think people should be happy dancing where ever they are, I know I definitely am. Would you say you are DJ’s first and foremost? Well, we started DJing by putting on our Basement Jaxx nights and it seemed that our audience started to broaden their horizons a bit, so our albums came based from the DJing and then they went wider and suddenly we were playing rock festivals. Originally it was something that we done for fun, but neither of us wanted to be DJing when we were older. I remember when I was younger I thought I would stop going to clubs at 22 as that would be old enough and then I done a few other things, that’s sometimes just how life goes. House music has now become very mainstream in the world and it was very much an underground form before and people like ourselves and people like Armand van Helden, DJ Sneak and Masters At Work, the youngsters have all started to give them respect and after EDM, suddenly people are looking back for something more authentic. Authenticity has always been at the centre of what we do, otherwise you lose your soul and it’s very hard to get it back. Is there a reason that you have been concentrating on more DJ sets instead of live shows? The live shows had got to a level where we thought that this is as good as it can possibly get, we were doing the O2 Arena in London
and the Hollywood Bowl in the States and we thought this is really good, but unless we have the next wave, kind of a comeback and some big hits we can’t do these types of gigs anymore and I just didn’t want our live shows to become a pale version of what they were before, so it was a good time to step back. Things always evolve and I feel it is always important to draw a line at some point. I remember people being upset that we closed the Basement Jaxx nights as they became too hip and popular, but that was just to keep it good and not milk it and have all the wannabes jump on it and ruin it. We also need to broaden our horizons as human beings too, we go and help in the homeless shelters, I went over to the refugee camp in Calais, things like that, getting in touch with humans and the broader scheme of things. Which is important, as if you are in the party the whole time you can sometimes lose touch with everybody else. Its again the whole authentic thing and trying to connect with human beings, which is what house music is all about in the first place. Do you find it easier to connect with your fans performing DJ sets rather than as part of a touring band? I think it’s all the same really, yes you can do smaller venues and you will be closer to people and you generally have more interaction, and doing big rock festivals you go in to your artist area and will be further away from the punters, but I feel it is all the same really.
What will be the next evolution of Basement Jaxx? We will be taking a deep breath with the band really, there will be a 26-episode TV series coming up and we are starting on that next year, but for me the personal project that I have been wanting to try is musicals, and that’s something that I am wanting to start the beginning of next year. I have been talking about it for a long time and not actually doing it. Atlantic Jaxx is alive and healthy, these last few months I have been pushing on with bits for that, I have also been working with a guy helping him finish a blues album. We are just doing some things but without the fanfare of Basement Jaxx, getting back to what is was before. What element from your live performances do you miss the most when DJing? Oh yeah, with the live performances you have loads of people on stage talking to the crowd constantly, some DJ’s do speak to the crowds but when I was a kid DJing wasn’t a very cool thing to do, as a DJ you basically went to weddings and you put lights on your head, which is great but it meant something very different before. There is also the visual aspect, in our live shows we had dancers, ballerina’s, all sorts of stuff. Generally, you’re not meant to be just standing watching the DJ, but it has become that, but that’s something different. People are supposed to be dancing with each other. The joy of the DJ is when its dark, the strobes are going and you slip in to this other world, with a live show you are watching the performance in front of you. So the visual element is the difference between a live show and a DJ set I find.
Since the summer, you have had a few of your bigger tracks remixed from some great artists. Will you be releasing more? There is a couple from that batch of tracks that we will be playing in Dubai that haven’t yet been released, basically we wanted to ask artists that we like to make another version of our tracks. It was also the case that we were DJing ourselves and wanted a new, fresh version to play in our sets. The “Red Alert” one that we have been playing, we have been undecided about it but people keep asking us to release it. As a producer, you can get very particular about the way something is perceived and always going for the jugular is not always the best way. Most of our older stuff still sounds fine, but I think we shall see which way the wind is blowing early next year with regards to more remixes. Can we expect some new Basement Jaxx material soon? We have a mark in our diary for 2019, so that would actually mean we will need to start thinking about that next year, I slightly feel that there is so much stuff out there that we don’t need to add towards the sameyness. What we done at Basement Jaxx, the world has kind of caught up now there and is a lot more stuff that is eclectic and open, so it’s a possibility but the question is what should that music be? That will also be 20 years since the release of “Remedy”, people kind of want the same old stuff but in a new way, but we are in a different time now and that’s not new and fresh now. At the time, we were on the cusp of what was happening, but now all that sort of stuff is out there. What would you want from a new Basement Jaxx album? Do people even want albums anymore?
One thing that I loved about your early albums is the interludes and Jaxxaludes, the really cool skits that segued sections bof the album and I feel that is missing from modern electronic albums now. You guys done it, Chemical Brothers done it, Underworld done it and it made for a really cool listening experience. At the time, we were all doing it in the style of like a classic rock album where you would listen to them as a piece. The question is, would people want that now? Do you think you would do an Remedy anniversary show or tour? That is also something that is up for debate at the moment, we had a meeting with Simon and our manager last week and we talked about it and Simon wasn’t too keen and I am half and half. Now that I am married perhaps I would like to have more of a settled life and not run around too much, Simon has a daughter and he is very
keen to live a more centred life around the home. I also feel like I have experienced enough and perhaps move on to another phase. We also talked about a greatest hits tour, but with our stage show I didn’t want to do it half-hearted and so you would need bigger budgets, bigger venues. With us not concentrating on building our image on social media, it’s something that we resisted for so long, as that came just at the tail end of our stage shows, it would have been really helpful, lol. It kind of bores the pants of me to be honest haha. What releases do you have coming up on Atlantic Jaxx? Coming out on Atlantic Jaxx on December 28 is an ambient electronic track by Chaemini called “Calling For The Light”, as my wife is Korean and I was out there just before Trump came over to Korea and the whole missile crisis and I worked a bit with Peace One Day to promote a day of cease fire and I done a Basement Jaxx gig for Peace Day, so it is like a peace song really. There is a young Chinese artist who has produced the animation for the track and it
features this girl and a nuclear rocket flying through the sky but it lands and blows up in to flowers. It’s kinda hippy peace stuff but it’s a really nice song. There are also a few other dance tracks that come out that I produce and also some others that other artists produce. There is also a Celestial Being release, which is a vinyl release and it is stuff I recorded in Africa for the first EP and all that comes out in the first week of January. It is on its own label but it is distributed through Atlantic Jaxx. What other exciting projects do you have coming up in the new year? I had also been speaking to Jim Byers in Edinburgh who used to be at DJ Magazine years ago and he is trying to setup a project combining music and mental health called “Where’s Your Head?”, so it is something that I might get involved with next year. What can we expect from your NYE show at Inner City Zoo, Dubai? Something positive, an uplifting experience to make people move around to connect their mind, their body and their soul.
facebook.com/innercityDXB / basementjaxx.com
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DECEMBER
29 2017
NYE 2018 GUIDE To cap off what has been a dizzying year in the Dubai nightlife calendar, Infusion Magazine has collated some of the best year end parties that demand your consideration‌
MUSIC ON UAE
Recent big news coming from the BASE Dubai camp is that they have secured a 3-date residency from one of the biggest DJ’s in the business – Marco Carola. The Italian tech house master and his Music On brand will be kicking off a UAE run of parties at the D3 open air venue on Thursday, December 28 and you need to make sure you are front and centre for an almighty party that will feature the man himself and a host of guests both local and international. What better way to warmup before the ball drops a few days later. Famed for his marathon sets, the globe-trotting man from Napoli excelled himself at Sunwaves Festival in Romania in 2015 where he kept the groove locked for 24 hours, to some this may sound like overkill, but to others it is a true test of a masters’ endurance, set building skill and should be applauded. There are few other parties that this would have been the norm, but we all now know that Romania plays by its own rules. Entry for the party on Thursday, December 28 is free for ladies and AED100 for guys and the party will rage on until 4am. facebook.com/BaseDubai
VIBE SERIES W/ HEARTTHROB
This is a pre-NYE club night with a difference, for the past 5 years the Third Eye Crew have been throwing weekly shindigs that have helped to shape the city’s music scene in such an undeniable way that they have become ingrained in to the weekly get down in Dubai. So, it is with a heavy heart that we confirm that their party on Friday, December 29 with Heartthrob will indeed be their last weekly party and in the process the end of an era. With Vibe Series taking over Tamanya Terrace at Radisson Blu Hotel, Media City with their fun décor and friendly and knowledgeable crowd almost every week it will be a sad time to see those parties stop, but on the flip side we have been assured that Vibe Series will return, so fret not. As with most Vibe Series parties those early vibes kick off at 7pm with their most trusted of residents at the controls and we can guarenetee the stomping won’t stop until 3am (maybe a little past that). facebook.com/vibeseries
ANALOG ROOM W/ NASRAWI ALL NIGHT
After a year full of firsts for the Analog Room at Industrial Avenue, The Westin including debuts for the likes of Roman Flugel, Ostrich, Jane Fitz and Tom Trago to name but a few of the huge names to be brought to Dubai by the AR crew. So, to see out this mammoth year for AR they have enlisted the safest pair of hands in the city for an all-night session – Nasrawi. While this multi-faceted artist being drawn upon to perform at some of the city’s finest electronic events such Mutek AE, Groove on the Grass and ECHO Festival it is Analog Room that allows for the greatest musical freedom and as a perfect warmup for the New Year’s Eve celebrations Nasrawi will sifting deep in to his bottomless crates for a night dedicated to everything that is great and good about music. With more gears than an articulated lorry, Nasrawi will be making sure that the floor is kept bubbling all night long. Entry is free of charge of the ladies between 10pm and 11pm and is AED100 on the door for everybody else. facebook.com/analogroomdxb
ZERO GRAVITY
Heading up Zero Gravity’s almighty NYE bash is the chart busting Sigma, known for their number one smash hit “Nobody to Love” the UK drum and bass duo have conquered festival stages for some time now and are a perfectly fitting addition to Zero Gravity’s block busting line-up. Also performing will be English DJ and Duke Dumont collaborator Jax Jones. Having been featured on Dumont’s worldwide smash hit “I Got U” his high-octane DJ sets will perfectly suit Zero Gravity’s main stage and the up for it crowds that flock there every weekend. Behind every great venue is a great cast of residents and those will be helping to ease the crowds in to the NYE spirit. As well as the amazing music, Zero Gravity will be relocating their main stage to the sandy beach that surrounds much of the venue, so you will be able to dance the night away with sand between your toes. The party starts at 7pm and runs until 3am, prices start from AED199 for early birds and run up to AED999 for an all-inclusive premium package. facebook.com/Zero.Gravity.Dubai
SOHO GARDEN
Having recently debuted his unique live show in New York and Miami, French artist Klingande will be stopping off at the hotly anticipated Mayan Racecourse venue Soho Garden with his live band this NYE. With his 2013 smash “Jubel” paving the way for his now signature melodic sound, Klingande now tours the world delivering music bliss to all who attend his shows and his live performance at Soho Garden will be no different. The venue itself is something of an enigma with few details being available at time of print but believe us when we say that 14,000 metre squared project will need to have a doctor on site to care for all the dropping jaws. With extended opening times of 7pm to 4am, there is also a range of packages for their NYE soiree, ladies’ entry is priced at AED400 with an open bar (house beverages) and gents entry is AED500 entry with open bar (house beverages). There is also a dine package which is AED650 and includes an open bar and sharing style dishes all-inclusive both ladies and gents. What facebook.com/SohoGardenDXB
Q43 W/ JUDGE JULES For a touch nostalgia combined with a rip-roaring party atmosphere look no further than Q43, Media One Hotel this New Year’s Eve…
From the early days of his Radio 1 shows, Judge Jules helped to introduce a generation of music lovers to the best clubs around the UK and further afield, his unmistakable voice bristling with the passion and excitement for the music that he was playing. Nothing has changed. Jules might not have been on the Radio 1 airwaves since 2012, but in his tenure at the influential radio station he helped to transform the lives of thousands of clubbers on a weekly basis. For some, Judge Jules may be just a radio DJ, but to countless others who saw him perform at legendary super clubs such as Cream, Gods Kitchen and The Rhumba he was a hero. Q43’s year-end bash offers a package to suit all pockets, the open bar package is priced at AED399 for early birds and AED499 afterwards, VIP is priced at AED699/799 and requires a booking of 6-10 people and this also includes small bites and bottle service, there is also the option for a 4-course restaurant experience and this is priced at AED899/999 and the party will rage from 9pm to 3am with spectacular views of the firework displays over The Palm and JBR.
facebook.com/Q43Dubai
BLUE MARLIN IBIZA UAE W/ SOLOMUN
The beach side venue always pull in the big gun to ring in the new year and they don’t get much bigger than Diynamic boss Solomun. With the house maestro’s back catalogue of chart topping remixes knowing no bounds such as omnipresent reworking the Warren G and Nate Dogg anthem “Regulate” and of course his re-rub of the classic “The Age Of Love”, it is safe to say that Solomun knows a thing or two about selecting the right music for the right occasion. With the beach club’s atmosphere usually being nothing short of electric, come the end of the year expect this to be magnified tenfold. Add to this already heady mix the supporting cast of resident DJ’s and you have one of the stand out parties of the night. To make sure you are front and center you can choose from unlimited beverages for AED700 for the guys and AED500 for the gals. If you would like to splash out and make begin with a meal in the restaurant, a set menu complete with unlimited beverage is AED1,300 per person. facebook.com/BMIUAE
EMIRATES GOLF CLUB
If thumping night clubs and crowded bars isn’t your bag then Emirates Golf Club has you covered this NYE. For a more musical journey to 2018 a Thrilling gala evening of epic proportions awaits revellers out on The Lawn at Emirates Golf Club, where fantastic tribute acts Michael Jackson Forever and Michael Bublé: Totally Bublé will be recounting numbers from both artist’s extensive discography. Also helping to sound track your family friendly evening will be DJ Phil and the band Groove Station. For those who have yet to visit Emirates Golf Course, a truly inspiring view awaits and the vistas of Dubai Marina in the distance are a rarely experienced angle of this multifaceted city. To make things simple on the night there is package of AED685 inclusive of bubbly on arrival, food and selected house beverage, AED325 inclusive of food and soft beverages, AED125 for children aged 5 to 12 and children under 5 dine for free. The celebrations begin at 7pm and the fun continues until 1am. facebook.com/EmiratesGolfClub
EL CHRINGUITO W/ MAYAN WARRIOR CREW
Known for their relaxed vibe and top notch bookings, El Chiringuito at the Rixos Hotel, The Palm have yet another stunning night of music in store and seeing as it is the last party of this year and technically the first party of 2018 they have gone all out. For the first time in Dubai special guests for the evening are arguably one of the most talked about Burning Man camps - Mayan Warrior, and with it comes a selection of their most prized artists. Heading up the line-up is one of Kompakt’s genre defining artists Pachanga Boys, the duo of Superpitcher and Rebolledo is cause for celebration in itself but they will also be joined by Dramien. Support on the night comes from the full cast of Deep Like cohorts Hoolz, Josephine De Retour, Sam Farsio and Jason Pinto. What makes this party different from most in Dubai on New Year’s Eve is that from 6pm to 9pm entry is free of charge. Yes, FREE! After 9pm entry will only set you back AED250 and even that comes with 3 drinks. So, dust of those Burning Man outfits and get ready to see in the new year in a truly spiritual way. facebook.com/ElChiringuitoDubai
BASE
For anybody that has been to BASE Dubai at Dubai Design District you will know that you will know that this club doesn’t do things by halves, from the towering sound system stacks, to the stadium grade visuals and Las Vegas-esque stage production, BASE Dubai’s aim is to drop your jaw from the moment you walk in and keep it there for the remainder of your night. This New Year’s Eve the stakes have been upped and revellers at the D3 super club can expect to set off on a carnival around the world, the BASE camp are remaining tight lipped about what this will entail, but you can guarantee that they will ensure a night to remember and when the ball drops the pyrotechnics inside the club will be more than a match for those of the Burj Khalifa which can be viewed in the distance. Doors are open at 10pm and an extended license will see the club stay open until 4am. As always entry is free of charge and for those hardened party heads there will be shots on arrival. Just remember to dress to impress. facebook.com/BaseDubai
NIKKI BEACH Miami beach club brand Nikki Beach, offer an extended day to night party experience with none other than house diva Barbara Tucker. Beginning at 1pm make sure you are not out the blocks too quickly as this party goes on until 3am. For a 4-hour food and beverage package the price is AED500, for 8 hours the price is AED1,000. facebook.com/nikkibeachdubai
PURE SKY LOUNGE Situated high up on the 35th floor of the Hilton Hotel, The Walk, this has to be one of the best spots in JBR to catch the fireworks displays and they just happen to know how to throw a wicked party too. They have DJ’s playing throughout the night accompanied by a saxophonist and lounge packages start from AED500 (from 10pm) and brunch packages start from AED695 (from 8pm) and the party kicks on until 3am. facebook.com/PureSkyLounge
MR MIYAGI’S This Thai themed bar will be holding its own Full Moon Party this NYE complete with DJ’s, performers, body painting and of course Thai bucket cocktails. The Media One Hotel venue has plenty of options too for the celebrations – 5-hour brunch package (including bubbles) is AED650, 5 hour drinks package with platter is AED550 and a regular 5 hour drinks package is AED450. Party runs from 8pm to 1am. facebook.com/MrMiyagisdubai
KATY PERRY IN ABU DHABI Flash Entertainment have the family NYE down to a tee as they will be bringing Katy Perry to Abu Dhabi to see in 2018 in glittering style. The pop superstar will be delighting fans to a stage show of epic proportions at du Arena, Yas Island and with tickets starting at only AED350 you better be quick to snap up the remaining early bird tickets. The fun kicks off at 6pm and continues until 2am with a host of supporting musicians and DJ’s. facebook.com/FLASHEntertainment
SCARLETT CARDINAL Scarlet Cardinal and its sister outlet Amsterdam Hub across the way. The Sofitel Hotel, JBR will play host to this two-pronged attack where you can glam up at the retro party at Scarlet Cardinal or head to Amsterdam Hub for something more electronic. Prices for both is AED300 for unlimited house beverages, AED400 for unlimited house beverages and hop, and AED500 for unlimited premium beverages. The party starts at 8pm. facebook.com/scarletcardinaljbr facebook. com/amsterdamhubjbr
IRISH VILLAGE Fewer places offer the atmosphere that is found every weekend at Irish Village, Garhoud and with their live music events being a huge draw all year the craic will be in full flow. There will be live performance from venue favourites, the Maplejacks and resident party starter DJ Marky Mark. Tickets are only AED125 and that includes 2 selective beverages. facebook.com/TheIrishVillageDubai
BARASTI W/ FATMAN SCOOP & CHUCKIE
If you want to get in amongst one of the biggest NYE parties this year look no further than Barasti Beach Club. Known for their massive beach parties, the Dubai Marina behemoth know how to get you in the mood and their bookings make sure of that. This year on stage will be the undeniable New York hype man Fatman Scoop. Scoop will be rousing the crowd with renditions of his famous songs such as his smash hit “Be Faithful” and “Turn Around” before the nights’ headliner takes to the stage – Chuckie. Famous for his brand of high octane Dirty Dutch club music, Chuckie has remixed many an A list star including Michael Jackson, Moby and Felix Da Housecat to name just a few. Barasti is also perfectly placed to take in the views of the world-famous fireworks which will go off all along the JBR shoreline. As with every great party the supporting acts are just as important and you can always count on the rock-solid team of resident DJ’s who will be on hand to play the hits. Tickets start from AED210 (includes welcome drink) and table packages range from AED3,000 for a table of 4 on the middle deck to AED7,000 for a table of 10. facebook.com/barastibeach
EXCITING FESTIVE MOMENTS. December is here and that means festive celebrations are in full swing! Take your pick from three dining venues that are perfect for festive gatherings with family and friends or for simply creating fun moments. For a relaxed celebration, dine and chill at Counter Culture Café. Enjoy The Croft for cosy British gastropub and garden vibes. Ring in 2018 at Observatory Bar & Grill, 52 floors above the city with panoramic views and delicious spreads!
DUBAI MARRIOTT HARBOUR HOTEL & SUITES KING SALMAN BIN ABDULAZIZ AL SAUD STREET, DUBAI MARINA T. 971.4.319.4000 | MARRIOTTHARBOURDUBAIDINING.COM DUBAI MARRIOTT HARBOUR HOTEL & SUITES |
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ON THE RADAR
BLUE MARLIN IBIZA W/ NOIR JANUARY 5 – GOLDEN TULIP HOTEL, GHANTOOT
MOVE W/ ADAM SHELTON FEBRUARY 22 – CASA LATINA, IBIS HOTEL, AL BARSHA
PARTY MONSTERS SUPERHEROE RAVE JANUARY 13 – THE BACKYARD, STEIGENBERGER HOTEL
MUSIC ON DUBAI W/ MARCO CAROLA MARCH 1 – BASE DUBAI D3
VIBE SERIES W/ ATISH FEBRUARY 15 – SECRET LOCATION, DUBAIL
ZERO GRAVITY W/ ELI & FUR MARCH 16 – SKY DIVE DUBAI, DUBAI MARINA
DECIBEL W/ STRANGER FEBRUARY 1 – ON42, MEDIA ONE HOTEL
RAG’N’BONE MAN MARCH 23 – DUBAI OPERA, DOWNTOWN DUBAI
Soundstage TARIK OMAR
Infusion Magazine finds out what makes this talented musician tick… My biggest gig ever was…probably Meet D3 last year. I worked with James Locksmith and cinema Akil to put together a live score for the 1927 film “Metropolis” toughest gig to date, but super rewarding. I’m best known for…making the best damn cup of tea you’ll ever drink. I’m most proud of…my ability to bend genres like nobody’s business. The artist I’d most like to work with is…Four Tet. One thing you may not know about me is that…I love Dungeons and Dragons. This year, I’m playing in…Poppy, a few special appearances, and my bedroom. My sound is described as…textural and melodic. My music sounds like…eating a lemon meringue pie during carnival at Studio 54 while there’s a rave on. If I had to live in one decade it would be…right here and now, it’s a great time to be a musician! The one piece of music kit I can’t live without is… my TR-8. I use it during all of my DJ gigs as well. It’s the backbone of my rig. Instagram: @captaintea
DJ BOOTH: BAGDAT BG
Infusion Magazine caught up with this talented DJ, with a big future ahead of him… Dubai’s clubbing scene is…El Chiringuito, White, Zero Gravity, Cavalli Club and Q43. My favourite ever record is…Rafael Cerato & Martin Kremser - Gladia (Original Mix). What track could you drop in every set? Almost any track from “Suara”. Setup of choice? Pioneer cdj2000 nexus (2x), Pioneer DJM 900 nexus. My biggest DJ achievement to date is…the ability to feel the vibe from the audience and to finish my set looking at the satisfied and happy crowd of people. What is your guilty music pleasure? In the depths of every Dj’s sidebar is a playlist only enjoyed in private mode. You know the one - filled with shame-inducing hits that your hipper friends would scoff at. Here is my top 5: Baha Men - “Who Let The Dogs Out”, Lou Bega - “Mambo No. 5” (A Little Bit of...), Rick Astley - “Never Gonna Give You Up”, Boney M – “Sunny” and Haddaway – “What Is Love”. If you could DJ in any decade which would it be… Early 2000’s, using my current knowledge I could have revolutionised the music industry with ideas from the future. If I could go back to back with any other DJ it would be…No one, due to my own goals which I’m going to achieve by myself… INSTAGRAM: dj_bagdat_bg
TECH TALK ASHDOWN ENGINEERING B-SOCIAL
Ashdown Engineering’s guitar amp heritage is a lengthy one and with a direct ear to some of the world’s most respected bass players, including John Entwistle (The Who), Mark King (Level 42) and JJ Burnel (The Stranglers) they continue to thrive in the burgeoning amp market. For those in the market for an all in one guitar/bass amp, sound card / portable speaker solution there really is nothing else on the market like the Ashdown Engineering B-Social.
Straight out of the box it is clear that a lot of time and effort has gone in to this piece of kit. Everything about it is built for durability and performance, from the hard-wearing material that the outer shell is made from, to the grip handles on the top of the amp, even down to the rock solid controls this amp is made with the tech savvy musician in mind. The sheer range of connectivity options is staggering, obviously, there is the tried and tested option to plug either your electric guitar or bass guitar, or both directly in to the amp but there is also the option along with the aid of the wireless dongle where you can plug this in to your instrument and then, once Wi-Fi enabled, the amp will then pick up the signal from your guitar and play this back at optimum volume which means that the player is no longer restricted by those pesky wires that can be the bane of a musicians life. This makes jamming, collaborating and recording an absolute synch.
Line in and out options are also well represented here too so it is possible to plug in an external instrument such as a microphone or a keyboard for added sound options and the line out can give the option for instrument tuning too. Further options such as the handy Apptek input for iPad/iPhone for voice recognition and other applications, a seldom found option in today’s amp offerings. With B-Social offering USB input this turns a guitar amp in to the center piece of your musical workstation as it can then be used as a viable sound conversion option. This is to say nothing for the actual sound itself, as it offers a respectable 75W of power by way of 2 x 5� cones and signal attenuation is controlled courtesy of the hardwearing dials on top of the unit. Should you just wish to relax while listening to your favourite music the Bluetooth option is perfect for picking up either a laptop or a mobile phone and delivered with a characteristic Ashdown Engineering tone and the now famous VU meter display. All in all, this is a very unique and very useful, function laden piece of kit that is more than capable of handling anything you might throw at it in a home environment. metersmusic.ae
The Weekend Social
COVE BEACH, JUMEIRAH BEACH HOTEL Cove is a bar, lounge and restaurant sitting right on Jumeriah Beach adjacent to the Burj Al Arab and is simply stunning! Having heard about it we’ve been meaning to visit and after receiving an invite to experience their new menu it was the perfect opportunity. As soon as you walk in it’s warm, chic ambience puts you right at ease. Beautifully dim lit gardens and sexy deep house sounds right next to the sea, it’s the perfect vibe for dinner or a few cocktails. We also have to mention their sound system, as so many venues get this wrong. It was quality with bass in all the right places without it being too loud. We couldn’t help compare it to a similar beach bar setting in Ibiza we went to, excep this one overlooks the Burj Al Arab. As we were guided to our table across the moat surrounding the restaurant, a live singer with his guitar filled the space with beautiful melodies. We were promptly offered either two of New Zealand wines: Oyster Bay Merlot and The Rock Sauvignon Blanc. Both were winners.
First to arrive at our table was the yellow fin sashimi and sushi platters. Sliced to perfection it quickly went down amongst our table. The mains we experienced were 3 delectable dishes; 24 hour marinated miso salmon, honey glazed sea bass and melt in your mouth rib eye steak. All cooked to perfection. Our favorite was the honey glazed sea bass with the strips of Rib Eye coming a close second. Finally, we were served with a chocolate tart and ice cream, a slice of lemon meringue and a selection of exotic ice cream filled cheeses including mandarin green tea, white chocolate, and orange citrus. A refreshing compliment to satisfy
our meal. The service right from the get go was prompt, witty, and polite. The waiters took their time to connect with our table and share with our visitors some intellect about Dubai. Our guests were thrilled and so were we. Thank you, The Cove, for such a splendid night. We loved every moment and will be surely back for more. The COVE is open daily from 11pm-3am and And every Wednesday is a Ladies + the Beach (AED 100 per girl, they get a bed, a few glasses of rose and food) Res number 800 2683. Check it out. Words by Charl Chaka
THE BEACH HOUSE, ANANTARA , THE PALM The Beach House Restaurant at Anatara, The Palm is one of Dubai’s best kept secrets. Situated with an amazing beach view overlooking arguable one of Dubai’s best skylines. With this in mind we booked a table for 2 for our ‘date night’ at The Beach House. The Anatara Hotel setting on The Palm is very impressive. We were driven by golf carts to The Beach House and were led to our table by the friendly staff. The atmosphere is nice and easy going with DJ Soph-eye Richard setting the perfect mood and vibe with her mix of deep-afro and funk/soul house. Her selection of music perfectly aligned with the setting and vibe of The Beach House view overlooking The Palm. Onto the menu. Their meals are dominated by delicious seafood, but you can also order a gorgeous pizza or fine meat if you want. We started the night with their signature appetizers shrimp dish
‘Gambos Al Ajillo’. It was fresh and light, cooked to perfection and delicious with flavour. This accompanied with the Sauvignon Blanc, Matua from New Zealand was the perfect way to start off our cosy date night. Being known for their seafood, we opted for the ‘Pan fried European Sea bass’ and ‘Pan seared Salmon’ as our main courses. The Sea-bass was super light with tasty roast potatoes and flavoursome artichoke and asparagus while the Salmon was creamy and buttery to match the bed of polenta base. The squid ink gave it a mysterious texture. A definite winner in our book. To sign out the night, we opted for the Blueberry Cheesecake for dessert. Now we’ve had many cheese cakes in Dubai and this one ranks up there. The Beach House comes well recommended. It was an all-round fun and easy going night out with good food and music to match. Words by Charl Chaka
P R E S E N T S
DJ SET
N E W Y E A R ʼ S E V E 2 017 WHEREʼS YOUR HEAD AT THIS NEW YEARʼS EVE... WITNESS ONE OF THE GREATEST DANCE ACTS OF ALL TIME SUNDAY 31ST DECEMBER 2017
SKY HIGH BRUNCH @ THE OBSERVATORY, MARRIOT HARBOUR One of the longstanding jewels in the crown of Dubai’s heights and sights is the Marriott Harbour’s Observatory Bar & Restaurant and for good reason. The 360-degree vista over many of the city’s awesome highlights such as The Palm, JBR, Dubai Marina and now the developing Ain Dubai Ferris wheel are all nothing short of breath-taking. All of which makes their freshly launched Sky High Brunch an enticing affair when you see what they’ve done with it. Making every use of their ample assets, the array of food on display remains as impressive as it always has been with some key improvements. A vast selection of Western cuisine starters, sushi, fresh salads and all sumptuous manner of amuse-bouches await to kick it all off. The mains are where it really gets cooking with fresh meats and seafood - including the requisite decadence of lobster of course - all available for cooking to order by the fabulous chef Padmanaban and his expert team on the grill.
The breakfast and pork stations remain freshly stocked all afternoon should that take your fancy, but you have to leave room for the cheese and dessert section. Their fabulous and sophisticated selection of sweets include the very best of fresh crêpe options, chocolate mud-cake, ice creams and a huge selection of specific deserts like crême brulé and raspberry mousse pots - awesome work by Manager Faizer Jafaar and his team to deliver a culinary experience that’s bang on the money; not over-stated and offering a perfect selection of options. Add to this the new drinks stations if you fancy indulging your Jäger-monster, Stoli-flyer or any other form of grape, hop or bubble you can pretty much imagine. All told, this comes as one of Infusion’s favourite picks and well worth the trip if you’re looking for something that cuts just the right balance between understated and full-on. If that sounds like your bag, get involved! Words by Neil Henderson
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Eat Sleep Rave Repeat STK @ THE RIXOS PREMIUM, JBR
Having recently visited the original STK restaurant in the Meatpacking District, New York I was excited to learn that STK would soon be setting up shop in the newly opened Rixos Premium in JBR…
Being seated at our spacious, white leather booth we were greeted by our very friendly Canadian server Vanessa who was very knowledgeable about all aspects of the menu and very kindly recommended that we start with some cocktails to whet our appetite, so we followed her expert recommendations and opted for an Italian classic; Hugo and an Indecent Exposure, which was a smooth concoction made of Bourbon, Port, Rhubarb and Egg-Whites – the perfect aperitifs. While the overall décor was quite different from the New York STK we had visited, it did have a distinct feel to it and the artwork adorning the walls, curved slated roof design and the randomly pulled bricks from the walls were a smart design touch that really caught my eye. Once we had enjoyed most of our cocktails Vanessa expertly explained the menu to us and again made some on point suggestions and in no time at all we had a refreshing duo of salads sat in front of us. First the baby spinach salad was a sensation, first the tang of the tosazu dressing zapped at our taste buds, then the creamy goats cheese melted in the mouth and then the dates sweetened the deal. Next came the revelation of the evening – burrata. Not just burrata, but as we all know such a simple, creamy cheese can easily be
totally ruined with not using the freshest of ingredients, which was clearly not applicable on this occasion. It was the addition of heirloom tomatoes that has gone some way to changing my mind on the subject of tomatoes full stop. Sure, I like sundried tomatoes but raw tomatoes are not for me, until I tried these sweet, almost grape like fruits, along with the tarte vinaigrette I was instantly converted. It was almost as if Vanessa could read our minds as no sooner had we thought about ordering red wine than 2 goblets of tasty Cabarnet Sauvignon arrived at our table. Which couldn’t have arrived at a more perfect time as the combined effort of the light, succulent and perfectly roasted salmon on a bed of celery puree and the main attraction - a mouth-watering fillet steak touched down on our table. Both entrees were delightful and the combination of the well-seasoned steak and the flaky salmon resulted in a cloud of um’s and ah’s descended on our table and looks of utter gastronomic delight were being passed between me and my wife. The following quarto of mini ice creams may just have been a touch too much but tasty none the less. As well as a few signature dishes and dedication to setting the right ambience, STK Dubai also shares a dedicated ethos with its NYC counterpart and that is to offer a more up tempo approach to a top end steak house. The long bar perfect for hanging out in and also the fact the DJ is placed in the perfect location between the bar/lounge area and the restaurant is perfect for setting the right mood and essential to the whole direction of the venue. My mouth is watering at the prospect of my next visit and I don’t doubt it may be difficult to get a table soon once word gets out that there is a new player in town.
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