BEIRUT'S UNDERGROUND CLUB ÜBERHAUS & BLUE MARLIN IBIZA UAE BRING
DIXON & ÂME Stereo Arcade • Braai Day DXB • Purple Disco Machine Plus Minus • Guns'n'Roses • The Recovery Just For Kicks • Angry Monkey and more!
MUSIC
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PEOPLE
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LIFE
TALAL BUDEBS Publisher CHARL CHAKA Managing Partner charlchaka@infusion.ae FRAK FU Sales/marketing sales@infusion.ae ANDY BUCHAN Editor andy@infusion.ae PAULA MANGUEIRA Design design@infusion.ae SONIA IGNACIO Operations operations@infusion.ae
Adele, Adele, Adele – not only are you reassuringly down to earth and ace, you also snapped your recent Grammy in half to give the other half to Beyonce who you thought deserved to win as well. We are not worthy. Oh, no biggy, but House of Afrika will be powered by Funktion One when we return to action in the next few weeks. Boom! Well done to Groove on the Grass who took decisive action following the unsettled recent weather and put a roof over their main stage, meaning the party could continue come rain or shine.
CONTRIBUTORS: Dan Fahy, Paul Walker, Grace Bright, Stephen Day, Frak Fu, Ginger S
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We wish Jon Besant a speedy recovery after he broke his back on holiday, meaning up to 2 months out of action – get well soon!
Shady promoters copy-pasting events and trying to steal the original event’s venue…. I mean really guys, c’mon!
The weather right now… I mean, where are our loving winter blue skies, this is not what we signed up for!
Say What? RUMOURS
Sven Vath is heading back to Dubai before summer, for another vinyl only lesson in how to play techno.
Olly Murs has been confirmed for a show at the Du Forum on April 28 on Yas Island. Cool beach house party Be and Piknic Eletronik is set to return in the next few months. The city’s new cultural hub, D3, is set to unveil a series of new clubs and venues over the coming months. DANCEFLOOR DICTIONARY
Genius bar 1. The help desk in Apple stores. 2. An ironic name for a bar full of idiots, ie half the bars in Dubai. OLD JOKES HOME
My friend can only sleep on stacks of magazines. He’s got back issues. Old Jokes Home 2: Q) What’s the difference between ignorance and apathy? A) Don’t know and don’t care
WE LOVE Q’s Bar and Lounge
My experiences with jazz in Dubai haven’t been great – you have Mariah Carey heading up the “jazz fest” and a recent “swing” band I saw turned out to be a duo covering pop songs. So when I walked into Q’s and saw the stage set up with a saxophone, full drum kit, double bass and grand piano, I knew they meant business. The musicianship was exemplary and the crowd watched on in awe, as Ollie Howell and his band ripped through 3 sets of exciting, original music with a couple of covers thrown in for good measure. I never expected a band like this to cover “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, but the arrangement was fantastic and the whole crowd loved it. Sometimes, when a venue focuses itself on attracting world-class artists, the food, drink and service can falter as the budgets dry up; again, not in the case of Q’s. We were greeted like family and the friendly service-staff were always there, ensuring our drinks were topped up and that we were well fed. We ordered a mix from the menu and it was all of excellent quality, the shrimp gumbo and slow-cooked beef ribs being the absolute must-haves. The bar also has an extensive drinks menu, with various signature cocktails to suit any palate. My highlight being the audacious “Walking in Space”, containing smooth-as-silk, Chivas Ultis whisky, vermouth and bitters, finished off with a spritz from the atomizer If you’re a big fan of jazz, enjoy great bar food and exciting cocktails, Quincy Jones’ first jazz bar is definitely for you. By the time this goes out, Ollie Howell will have ended his residency, but not to worry - Sheléa (who has recently toured with Stevie Wonder) is next up for what will no doubt be another series of superb performances. Words by Dan Fahy Q’s Bar and Lounge, Palazzo Versace Dubai, palazzoversace.ae
KÖLSCH ENZO SIRAGUSA [DJ SET]
FEBRUARY
17 2017
BOB SINCLAR @ BILLIONAIRE MANSION
HOT SINCE 82 @ PROVOCATEUR
On a weekend where the weather felt very much like we were in the UK, it was fitting that Provocateur brought the UK based boss of Knee Deep In Sound, Hot since 82 to town. His formal DJ education started at 17, playing 12-13 hour sets each Sunday at a club in his hometown – with queues round the block, as his residency soon became the number one after party destination. Daley Padley – AKA Hot Since 82 – has gone from strength to strength over the last couple of year, with parties happening at all the major dance events such as ADE, BPM and the residences this summer at Pacha Ibiza. When Daley took to DJ booth, it was straight up house music and a little bit of techno: just good party music really and on the night his infectious sound transcended through the dance floor and into the crowd. The vibe went along the lines of Butch’s “Dope”, Emanuel Satie’s “Paffo’s Riff” and massive recent hit, Andrea Oliva’s “Scream”. The crowd where very receptive and embraced his vibe and sound from start to finish. Words by Paul Walker
Photo credit: Provocateur
What we did
JUICE @ ON42
The newest urban music night takes place on Wednesdays at ON42 at Media One Hotel. Juice, which gets its name from the famed movie by 2Pac, is an old school party which also shines a light on up-and-coming artists, both here and further afield. ON42 provided an urban, laid-back vibe reminiscent of underground shows, where people can hang out and party, while a lot of industry heads were down early to network and catch up. As the night grew old, the resident DJs - Official 3GK and Treble T - spun old school hip-hop classics, RnB and reggae keeping the dancefloor busy. Upcoming artists that are interested in performing at Juice can contact Footprint International on FB. Got Juice? Words by Ginger S
JAZZ FEST HOSTS MARIAH, TOM AND ENRIQUE
While the Jazz Fest might have stopped being a true jazz festival years ago, it’s still one of the biggest events on the calendar with international stars to match. Tom Jones headlines at the Media City Amphitheatre venue on February 22, with Mariah Carey the following evening and Enrique Iglesias closing the festival out on February 24.
ONE BIG FRIDAY RETURNS AT ZERO GRAVITY
Party season is well and truly here, with Zero Gravity’s One Big Friday returning for another sure-to-sell out event on Friday February 24. And it’s another stomper of a line up, as big room house DJ Oliver Heldens returns back by popular demand with Norman Jay MBE dropping an all star funk, disco and house set. They’re joined by Michael Calfan and the trusted Zero Gravity residents. Free entry before 7pm, with tickets AED150 after.
DUBAI IS PARADISE CITY
It’s the gig that many metal heads never thought would happen, but the original Guns’n’Roses gang are back together and playing the Autism Rocks Arena on Friday March 3. Axl, Slash and Duff are all re-united as the legendary 80s/90s rock band roar their way through their timeless back catalogue including ‘Sweet Child O’ mine’ and ‘Paradise City.’ Tickets start from AED400 from Platinumlist.net
NEVERDOGS BARK IN ACTION AT VIP ROOM
Rising Italian DJs Neverdogs have been invited back to VIP Room for another blistering house and tech-house showdown on Friday February 24. The duo are favourites of Music:On head honcho Marco Carola and big stars in Ibiza having played at Privilege, Space, the Zoo Project and Underground.
AUDIO TONIC BACK WITH 2 NEW PARTIES
Long-running house night audio tonic are back with 2 brand new parties. They launch their audio tonic By Day parties every Friday running from 2-11pm from March 3, and are also launching their full club night audio tonic By Night every first Friday of the month at Media One hotel hotspot ON42. Their first guest, German deep house producer Dr Dru, will be playing both opening parties, with a special sunset slot at the Dek on 8 before taking things up a notch for his headline show at ON42 later that night.
DECIBEL SIGN UP GERMAN TECHNO STAR FELIX KROECHER
Win 2 pairs of tickets – head to infusion.ae for details!
Once again living up to their musical remit of bringing over up-and-coming alternative DJ talent, Decibel are back in action on Thursday March 2 at ON42 with German techno DJ Felix Kroecher. A star of the German techno scene for the last decade, he’s a regular at large-scale events like Time Warp, RaveOnSnow and ADE, and has released several albums including 2010’s Connected and his Discover compilation. Support comes from techno doyen Adam Rahman of Warped acclaim, with Decibel resident Toubba opening up the night from 10pm.
MATT TOLFREY HEADLINES PLUS MINUS
Unwaveringly consistent in their bookings, Plus Minus are back in action on Friday February 24 with Leftroom main man Matt Tolfrey. No stranger to Dubai, he’s a house and techno DJ with an extensive dance music history having made his name as a resident at cult UK club The Bomb back in the early 2000s. Since then, his label Leftroom has released over 50 top-quality records, including tracks from Maceo Plex and Laura Jones, and as a DJ he’s played for all the best promoters and clubs including Circo Loco and Fabric. Catch him in action at ON42 on Friday February 24 with support from French DJ Karl Jefferson, with doors open from 9pm and tickets from AED100 online.
TINIE TEMPAH LAUNCHES DISTURBING DUBAI Not just one of our favourite rappers, Tinie Tempah is also in the party promotion game and has just launched Disturbing Dubai, a new Tuesday night urban party at White Dubai.
Fresh from the success of curating Disturbing Ibiza at Ushuaia, Tinie has taken his brand to the UK and now Dubai, bringing with him some of the biggest and best names in the urban scene including Krept and Konan, Giggs, Lethal Bizzle and of course, himself. Playing a mix of hip hop, grime, RnB and commercial dance, the party is set to be the biggest ladies night the city has seen. Oh, and it wouldn’t be ladies night without the freebies – open sushi until 12.30am and a complimentary bar all night long. Tinie, a long-time guest of the UAE, is one of his generation’s most successful artists, with a list of hits as long as the Burj, including 2010’s breakthrough track ‘Pass Out.’ ‘I can’t wait to get back to WHITE and to launch Disturbing Dubai at one of the best clubs in the world,’ he said. ‘It’s time to show Dubai how we party it up UK style.’ DJ support on all events comes from the award-winning open format DJ Moky, hailed by DJ Magazine as ‘King of the decks’ and a Pioneer UK National DJ Champion.
DJ MOKY
LETHAL BIZZLE
FEBRUARY 21 – TINIE TEMPAH FEBRUARY 28 – LETHAL BIZZLE MARCH 7 – GIGGS MARCH 14 - TINIE TEMPAH
Fuse, a label with a big future, headed by a DJ with an even bigger one as Enzo Siragusa plays for Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE on February 24. We caught up with the Londoner to talk club culture, DJ polls and Ibiza 2016 was a big year for you – how can this year top it? 2016 was an amazing year for me especially on the tour front, and there were many highlights within that. In 2017 I would like to shift some focus onto producing more music. I would love to be more creative in the studio this year. As a Londoner, how did the closing of Fabric affect you? It shone a light on the issue of how club culture is under threat, and in some cases wrongfully, and as Fabric is such an iconic club, and the closure was so abrupt, it forced the issue to be highlighted
more so. In general though, I think club culture across the globe is very healthy. Fabric triumphed and opened their doors again. Village Underground, where I hold my Fuse residency in London, has just had their lease extended to 10 or 15 years more and there are new festivals and clubs popping up all across the world. It’s looking positive. Fuse took up residency with Hyte at Amnesia Ibiza this summer – what were the highlights? Club Room of Amnesia was a real moment for me. Another major highlight was closing the Terrace b2b with Seb Zito after Loco Dice. Polls are still a big part of DJ life, and you did very well in the Resident Advisor poll this year, hitting 36. How does that feel for you, and do you pay much attention to the polls yourself? I am aware, but I don’t pay too much attention. The polls of course have their place, but I don’t think they are the be-all and end-all to someone’s DJ career. Last year when I made my debut entry it was of course a proud moment, and it’s very humbling to know people out there have seen me play and had enough memorable moments whilst doing so to vote for me. And you received plaudits from DJ Mag and Mixmag – what do they mean to you, how do you judge your success? It means a lot because DJ Mag and Mixmag are publications that I’ve followed not only throughout my career, but as a young clubber also. How do I judge my success? I don’t really to be honest. At the end of the day I love what I do, and I am just extremely happy and humbled that people are enjoying it as much as I am. How do you sum up Fuse's musical mentality, how do you make yourself stand out? The musical mentality has been to keep things natural and allow them to develop in an organic way. The key element to this is also to remain open minded. For instance, our sub label ‘Infuse’ is more of an open platform for up-and-coming talents, and by allowing ourselves to be receptive, we connect with different sounds. Myself and the Fuse crew have all come from the rave scene, so we have the experience of knowing what people want when they are on the dance floor. Between us we use our experiences (past and present) from the dance floor to influence what we do in the studio, which ensures that we always stay fresh and are ever evolving. And what can people expect from your show in Dubai? Expect to hear lots of fresh cuts from Fuse and Infuse. Enzo Siragusa plays Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE Friday February 24
Live Aid ‘If you book them, they will come.’ Not just a seminal line from a seminal film (Wayne’s World for you millennials), but also seemingly the ethos for Stereo Arcade, surely the city’s loudest champion of local live music. We caught up with head booker Samantha Hamadeh to talk skeptics, how to get a gig and their dream festival line up…
Stereo Arcade has been firmly shining a light on local talent – why is that important? The Stereo Arcade stage was built for one reason and one reason only – to showcase the best talent out here. It’s so crucial to shine a light on local talent because they need all the support we, as a community, can give them to get better and make a name for themselves in the music industry. And why don’t more people do it? Is it trust, or the cost or they’re just afraid to try something new? It’s normal to be a bit of a skeptic especially when the music industry is this young. You never really know what to expect from the musicians or how your customers will react to the music – especially when the bands aren’t well known. We chose to take a chance on several local musicians who never had a residency anywhere else and we’re very happy we did. What tips would you have for bands looking to get more exposure and gigs? Get in touch with us. I’m serious! We love hearing new music, getting to know new talent and we’ll even try to guide you in the right direction. Stay active on social media – on your personal page and your band page. Put your music out there as much as you possibly can. You won’t get gigs or exposure if you’re going to be shy about what you do. Also, no venue wants a band that won’t talk about their show. When I check out band pages and see that they haven’t posted a thing in months I don’t even bother reaching out because to me it means they’re either no longer performing or they don’t live here anymore. Being in a band is portrayed as glamorous and easy by talent show competitions – but the reality is very, very different. Do you see a generation shift in how people approach music and bands and getting noticed? It is anything but easy, especially in this region. If you’re going to become a musician you have to forget about making a living off of it in the beginning. Do it because you love music and most importantly you love your music. Some bands have 7-8 gigs a week, the new ones barely have a residency anywhere and are okay with doing a gig or 2 every month. There are so many more bands in Dubai than say 5 years ago and not as many venues to play in. You need to hustle, build a fan base and get as much exposure as you possibly can. It isn’t easy but nothing is these days.
How do you look for new bands – do they approach you, or do you actively look for new talent? One of my favourite things to do is to scout for new bands. Even if I don’t book them right away I’m always looking around for new talent. I’ve approached and booked most of our resident bands because I saw that their music fits perfectly at Stereo Arcade. If a band is new and very talented then someone’s got to give them a chance and I’m always willing to do that. But if they’ve been around for a few years and didn’t care to build a following then that’s a whole other story. How much do you encourage new music – how much of the sets are covers? 4 out of our 5 resident bands write their own music so I always encourage them to perform their originals. During the week, they tend to play 60% covers and 40% originals. On the weekends, it’s 80% covers and 20% originals because the audience usually wants to sing along. And if you could put together a 5 band line up of any act at Stereo Arcade, who would it be and why? Foo Fighters – Because Dave Grohl! I can imagine him doing a surprise 1 hour set like he did at the Bluebird Café in Seattle. A girl can only dream right? Red Hot Chili Peppers with John Frusciante though – They’re my favourite childhood band. They’ve been around for 30 years and still have the same amazing and contagious energy about them. The Black Keys – Patrick and Dan inspire me to love music more than I already do. They’re so educated and sophisticated without being pretentious. The Arctic Monkeys – Their live performances are electrifying. Also, they’re so hilarious in interviews. I’d want to ask them random questions just to hear the funny answers. Bon Iver – His voice is something else. When I listen to the whole ‘For Emma’ album I get transported into his world. He has an emotional depth and authenticity that not many musicians have.
MEET THE RESIDENTS Tuesday - Jay Abo with a special guest the last Tuesday of every month. I saw him perform for the very first time at an event in Stereo Arcade last year. We had a full residency line up at the time but I thought to myself as soon as there’s a free night I’m signing him. He has such a soulful voice.
Wednesday - Jay Wud What can I say about these guys? They’re just so great to work with and they’re such pros on and off stage.
Thursday - AB Initio We had a showcase at Stereo Arcade a few months ago with around 7-8 bands performing on stage that night. I remember walking towards the pub from the back office and I thought to myself why on earth is our playlist on? Where are the bands? Then I open the pub door and I see Jamil on stage singing Kaleo’s Way Down We Go. This man is so talented and he can fill up the whole space with his powerful voice.
Friday - Sound City Leave it to Jess, their front woman, to shake things up on Fridays. The woman has fans, well deserved of course. What I absolutely love about Sound City is that each member sings really well and that’s quite rare to find.
Stereo Arcade, Double Tree by Hilton, JBR, facebook.com/StereoArcade
5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PURPLE DISCO MACHINE 360 are going big this season, with a funk-fuelled house line up including German DJ and producer Purple Disco Machine on Friday February 24
Win a table for 4 and drinks – head to infusion.ae to enter!
Started in 2009 initially as Deep Funk, Purple Disco Machine – AKA Dresden DJ and producer Tino Piontek – shot to fame in 2013 with his classic track ‘My House’ on OFF Recordings that hit the heights in Beatport, remaining in the Top 100 chart for over a year. That opened the door to bigger and better labels like Sony who quickly signed him to their huge label. He’s a big collaborator, especially with fellow countrymen Teenage Mutants. Their track ‘The Path’ was another bigseller on Beatport and became one of the most Shazam’d tracks that year, and was again signed up to Sony. He’s an in-demand remixer, having turned in dancefloor friendly reworks for Sigma, Harry Romero and Sharam Jey, and had support from big industry names like Pete Tong who called him a ‘Future Star.’ Tino is a proper dancefloor friendly DJ, playing an up-tempo mix of funk, house, nu-disco and deep grooves, making him a sure-fire favourite at house clubs across the world. Purple Disco Machine plays 360, Friday February 24, free entry, 4pm-3am.
Inspired name – did it come from a late night drinking session? And have you ever worn tutus on stage? The name came about from a late night tea-drinking session in Doug's (guitarist) kitchen. We wanted to name the band with the formula of 'something and the somethings' so we threw around some names and Desmond and the Tutus was the one that stuck. We try not go too literal on our name so we've never worn tutus on stage or anything. You've done well in Japan, having released on labels there and played several gigs – how did that connection come about? And what's Japan like to play and visit, as bonkersly brilliant as you'd hope? Over the years we've had about 3 different record
MEAT
DESMOND AND THE TUTUS
Ahead of our Braai Day party at Emirates Golf Course, we talk food, tutus and Japan with cool SA band Desmond and the Tutus who will be playing live at the event on Friday February 24
labels in Japan release our music, the first label was Escalator Records who found our music on Myspace back in around 2008 / 2009. In 2010 Flake Records released our first album in Japan which lead to us touring Japan later that year. Flake Records has since released all 3 of our albums in Japan and we've done a tour each time to promote the albums. Japan is an amazing place, crowds are completely different to what we're used to and it’s an all around glorious sensory experience. You had a lot of success in 2015 – how did that feel after years in the band? And has it spurred you onto bigger ambitions? It was really amazing. To come out with 3rd studio album 9 years after forming the band and have it end up being our most successful material to date was really rewarding. I think the release of Enjoy Yourself in 2015 really helped us find our feet in terms of songwriting. We were all so proud of the product at the end of the process. Your music has been described as 'kwela-indie-punk' - can you interpret that for the non South African? That explanation came from when we first started the band, our current live show is a mixture of kwela-indie-punk and some sweet pop songs with tasty hooks seasoned with a pinch of disco. What are your Braai Day tips? And how seriously do you take your Braais back home? Wear goggles because the smoke will find your eyes every time. We all like a good braai, no chicken just good old fashion red meat! And what should people expect from your show in Dubai? People should expect to dance while smelling like meat!
Braai Day, Friday February 24, Emirates Golf Course, 3pm-late, early bird tickets AED100 from Platinumlist.net
überhaus Long an essential part of Beirut’s underground club scene, überhaus are bringing their vibes – and crucially, their bespoke clubbing dome – to Blue Marlin on Thursday March 9 with a monumental line up including Dixon and Âme.
überhaus
You know a club night means serious business when their previous guests include M.A.N.D.Y, Solomun, Jamie Jones, Seth Troxler Mano Le Tough, Agoria and dozens more underground house and techno artists. Started in 2012, thousands now congregate under their stunning dome, dancing until dawn – and often beyond – to some of the world’s best DJs. And it’s that magic that they’re bringing to Dubai alongside Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE for the first time. We spoke to überhaus Nemer Saliba…
What marks Uberhaus out as different in Beirut? We started out with a commitment to each other to only play music and host artists that we love. Over the years our residents and the international Djs the play in our club have become like family. They love it here because they know the music is what always comes first. At the same time we realise that the club would be nothing without the clubbers. How has Beirut clubbing fluctuated over the last 5 years? Beirut has always been, and will always be, an incredibly dynamic city. It’s constantly in motion, and the clubbing scene is no different. Musical tastes are always evolving and you’ve got to keep up to stay relevant. And how do you compare the Beirut and Dubai clubbing scenes? Beirut and Dubai are very different cities. Dubai is more international, more career driven. Beirut is a bit more rogue, and that allows us to push the envelope a bit more. We stay open until the last person goes home and it’s always in those early morning hours that the magic happens. The lack of structure that plagues Lebanon allows the scene to be more creative. Who are your resident Djs? Our residents are the clubs backbone. Romax, who’s playing at our upcoming event in Dubai, is a Dutch maniac
who used to drive a cab in Amsterdam and somehow ended up in Beirut over ten years ago. Nesta, who also runs the Fantôme de Nuit Records, is one of Beirut’s fastest rising stars. Tia is a real DJs DJ, consistently playing sets that leave you wanting more. And Ali Ajami is a top notch DJ and producer who has recently joined the family. What’s planned for the night? Without giving too much away, we’re bringing our signature touch to Blue Marlin. We’re well known for our massive structures, both at The Gärten and überhaus, so it wouldn’t be the same without one of those. We’re bringing the dome to Dubai and expanding their existing deck by 400m2. Since we’re all about the music we’re also adding a 300m2 dance floor.
Dixon is the vice president of FC Magnet Mitte, owner of a bakery in Berlin, owner of Innervisions Recordings, a producer and a DJ. He is underground dance music’s most famous DJ. They literally don’t come any bigger than this. Dixon has been selected as the coveted Resident Advisor #1 DJ in the world an unprecedented 4 times in a row. He also has very nice collection of shirts. Âme are German duo Kristian Beyer & Frank Wiedemann. Since 2003, Beyer and Wiedemann have penned songs that once existed just outside club- goers’ imagination, songs that boldly combined floor-filling elements with conceptual conceits while maintaining their visceral appeal. As core members of what they refer to as the Innervisions family, the duo are deeply involved in the group’s operations.Âme have consistently appeared on lists of the world’s best DJs, producers and live acts for over the last ten years. One of Porto’s finest exports, a city that is gathering a reputation as a great incubator of underground movements and the ultimate inspirational city for musicians of the most obscure sub-genres.Trikk was praised as a young talent and embraced by so many as new star to look out for. After releasing on labels such ManMakeMusic and Lossless and remixes for Hotflush Recordings, Pets Recordings and more, nothing was left to prove Überhaus feat. Dixon and Âme, Thursday March 9, Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE, 9pm-4am, tickets from AED160 via Platinumlist.net
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ON THE RADAR BILLY OCEAN
MARCH 9 - DUBAI MEDIA CITY
BRYAN ADAMS
MARCH 9 - AUTISM ROCKS ARENA
UBERHAUS FEAT. DIXON & AME
H.O.S.H
MARCH 10 - PROVOCATEUR
RAXON
MARCH 17 - PROVOCATEUR
ADRIATIQUE
MARCH 9 - BLUE MARLIN IBIZA UAE
MARCH 24 - EL CHIRINGUITO
LAUGHTER FACTORY
HOUSE OF AFRIKA FT. JULLIAN GOMES MARCH 23 - VELOCITY
MARCH 9-16 - VARIOUS VENUES
ON THE RADAR PLUS MINUS FEAT. OLIVER KOLETZKI
JOSH BUTLER
MARCH 24
APRIL 14 - ZERO GRAVITY
GROOVE ON THE GRASS FEAT. BEN KLOCK MARCH 31 - EMIRATES GOLF COURSE
APRIL 18-22 - BLUE MAN GROUP
ELECTRO BRUNCH FEAT. DETROIT SWINDLE APRIL 8 - DUBAI POLO CLUB
APRIL 21 - EL CHIRINGUITO
KODE 9
PLUS MINUS FEAT. ALAN FITZPATRICK
APRIL 13 - VENUE TBC
YAS ISLAND
SOUL CLAP
APRIL 21
Music News KUNG FU LUKE
Newsflash: Laidback Luke is to compete in the Kung Fu World Championship. Just take a second to read that again. The house and electro DJ, who recently played at Barasti, is heading to Hong Kong this March to compete in 6 Kung Fu disciplines including Tai Chi. He’s been competing at a top level for several years, winning medals at championships across the world, and will come up against 10,000 competitors from across the globe in the World Championship.
TRUMP’S TRAVEL BAN HITS DARIUS SYROSSIAN
Big name DJ Darius Syrossian has been forced to pull out of a scheduled show in California due to President Tump’s travel ban. New president – or chief clown – Trump put travel bans on several countries including Iran, where the DO NOT SLEEP promoter was originally born. Syrossian said: “Although I am a British Citizen, passport holder, and the holder of a US work permit, I was born in Tehran. Due to the current changing rules surrounding entry allowances, my travel may be subject to serious problems when I arrive in the USA. As such I cannot commit to any bookings in America during this time. “Music is something that brings people of all races and cultures together. To me it’s about love for one and all. I am not going to let this put me off travelling to America. Do not let these new restrictions ruin our right to have a great party! The ‘orange turnip’ will not be able to stop me.” He hopes to be able to play his planned shows in Miami next month and said he’ll reschedule other dates for later in the year.
Soundstage
FUNK POWER
We get up close and personal with Funk Power – Eric, Carrie, Andrew and Adrian – who hold down a Wednesday night residency at the Hard Rock Café My first musical influence was… Motown. The last pop star I liked was… Michael Jackson. My sound is best described as… Funk sprinkled with jazz
and a little Latin reggae.
Best piece of advice you’ve received? Never stop learning - if someone knows even just one thing that I don’t, they can teach me something. What’s your musical guilty pleasure? Old school hip
hop.
The best band in Dubai is… Nouveau jazz. Best claim to fame? Eric has played with Temptations and the Stylistics.
When I make it, the one thing I want on my rider is… Food! Real Philly cheese steak sandwiches. My musical motto is… Make my funk the p funk, uncut
funk.
Best gig you’ve played? Eric and Andrew backing The
Temptations at Dubai tennis stadium, and opening for James Brown.
And the worst? Not mentioning any names but….
Playing a hotel in Dubai for 6 nights a week for management who knew nothing about music.
Best lyrics of all time? ‘As’ by Stevie Wonder – the whole song.
TECH TALK Denon SC5000 and more
While Pioneer might be the industry standard, their prices – especially for the stand alone CDJ units and mixers – creating a gap in the market. And it’s one that Denon are looking to capitalize on this year as they’ve launched a raft of new technology, including a new media player, DJ software, a club mixer and turntable. First up is their SC5000 Media player which comes with high definition, a multi-touch display that uses gestures and swiping movements, an 8 inch jog wheel and music key detection software alongside the usual deck goodies. It comes with its own updated Engine software, which can import direct via Serato and iTunes, and is looking to rival Pioneer’s Rekordbox software. It’s expected to retail at AED3700 when it’s officially released later this year. Next up is their X1800 mixer (AED6500), a 4 channel club unit that has dual USB connections and Denon’s new Sweep FX knobs. It also comes with their unique Flex-Fader crossfader and frequency controlled Band Isolation as well as 12 FX effects accessible through their touch strip. And rounding up their exciting start to 2017 is their VL12 Prime Turntable (AED2700), a solid and very sturdy deck aimed squarely at club and home DJs. Denon have clearly been working hard behind the scenes and come up with some quality products that will making Pioneer more than a little bit nervous.
DJ BOOTH: DA SENDRI
One of the most versatile DJ veterans in our city, it’s a long overdue catch up with Da Sendri, the Zephyr Lounge and La Cala resident DJ
One thing you might not know about me is... I lived in Ibiza for 4 years working as a DJ. My worst ever job was… Working at a McDonalds when I was younger! My favorite ever record is... Nina Simone ‘Feeling Good’ – what a great track! DJing is much like... Making a great meal. You have to make sure you have the right ingredients, put the right amount of each, and mix them in the right order. That’s the key to being a good DJ. Dubai’s clubbing scene is... Always expanding into different genres, with new venues opening and even an up and coming underground scene starting up. It’s a very exciting time to be a DJ here! I’m really proud of... Chasing my dream and making it my living. What track could you drop in every set? I play quite a few different genres, so there aren’t many tracks that could fit in them all. Perhaps Raze ‘Break for Love’, as that’s such a versatile track. My biggest DJ achievement to date is... Playing to 17,000 people at Sandance, playing for Space’s 20th birthday on NYD in Sydney and holding residencies at some of the most famous brands and clubs in the world. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Simon & Garfunkel! If you could DJ in any decade which would it be... The nineties and to be specific 1994-95, as that was a great year for music. If I could go back-to-back with any other DJ it would be... Frankie Knuckles. I’m not a politician but… I sometimes go on rants like one on social media!
5 minutes with Lost Frequencies Sam Moult sat down with one of 2016’s biggest Djs and producers Lost Frequencies, ahead of his storming return to Zero Gravity a few weeks ago‌
Where in the world are you right now and what are you doing? Right now I’m in my studio in Belgium. In the week I try to get as much studio time as possible. I just opened Logic Pro and I’m about to begin a huge remix for a big producer. Unfortunately I can’t say who it’s for, but I’ll be dropping it when I come to Dubai. Let’s talk about your Less is More album. How has the reception been? It’s been really good. Of course, an album takes a lot of work, but it’s nice to have it out there now and see it paying off. I’m currently wrapping up the final touches on my album full of remixes from my debut album Less is More. What about your upcoming Less if More show in Belgium? Yeah, it’s something I’m really looking forward to. I’m going to be performing for 7,500 people, bringing out the singers from the album and some special guests. Last year we did a big show on the exact same date for 2,000 people and there was a really nice vibe, so this year I want to recreate the same thing. Since we last spoke you have had chance to rewind from Summer 2016. How was it? It was crazy. Left to right, North to South, there were so many shows. Luckily we only stayed in Europe but it was really nice to be around really supportive people and fans. I played in Montenegro right before Skrillex, so I played deep house to get the crowd interacting with me and they loved it. I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy such good vibes. What are your plans this summer? I’ve got lots of collabs coming up with a lot of great people. Plus I’m going on tour, supporting the Chainsmokers. We met in Germany and then again at Tomorrowland and they’re really cool guys. A lot of fun. Plus going with them is a great opportunity to meet a new crowd, so I’m stoked about it all! Last time you were in Dubai, you lit up Zero Gravity. What were your thoughts about it all? It was great. There were a lot of Belgian expats there, but at the same time there is a huge cultural mix and people have a great vibe together. Unfortunately I was in and out, so I didn’t see much of Dubai. I’d like to do something the next time I’m over, but again, I don’t have as much time as I’d like.
Food News BLACK TAP LAUNCHES IN DUBAI
Beer, burgers and milkshakes – the holy trinity indeed, and thanks to the launch of legendary NY joint Black Tap, now a calorific reality in Dubai. Based at the Al Naseem Hotel in the Madinat Jumeirah, Black Tap will offer classic American burgers, craft beers and some truly unique shakes – so much so that customers queue around the block for hours in America for a taste of their Sweet and Salt or Sour Power shakes. The food is headed up by Michelin-starred chef Joe Isidori, and looks set to be one of the hottest venues in the UAE this year. ZOMATO LAUNCH GOLD
Our good friends at Zomato have launched their latest update – an exclusive Gold subscription plan that lets users take advantage of special offers at top-rated restaurants across the city. Offers including buy-one-get-one-free on drinks at over 200 restaurants in the UAE, including outlets at the Palazzo Versace and Kempinski.
What we Ate THE TAP HOUSE, CLUB VISTA MARE, THE PALM
We were invited down to try out the new brunch menu at The Tap House, a pub style beach front restaurant. Brunch in the Dubai sense of the word is refigured; if you’re looking for a traditional allyou-can-eat and drink extravaganza then this is not your bag. Think relaxed set menu by the sea with parents or a catch up with friends. It’s family-orientated, an afternoon hangout for the weekend wanderers as they see in the first day of their brief and treasured lapse from work; a Friday ramble spent debating round dinner tables and people watching ¬, casual laughter, melodic tones, a seductive slumber. To start, the quinoa and squash salad was light and refreshing while their speciality – a lentil scotch egg – was a tasty novelty. Fried chicken and waffles may sound brash and bulky but the flavours were comfortingly delicious, like a friendly hug. Stealing the show however were the desserts, chocolate fondant and burnt lemon tart; proof certainly is in the pudding, especially its rich, gooey centre. Service between courses may be a tad quicker than your stomach can handle but it only gives you more time to enjoy the sea air over a nice, cold bubbly beer. Think of it as a stroll rather than a race, as a casual sip rather than a desperate swig but better yet, think of it as a lovely way to spend the afternoon. Words by Grace Bright
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The
RECOVERY
Puff Baker Café Dan Fahy eases into his hangover with some Bulletproof coffee (it’s an actual thing) at new Palm venue Puff Baker Café
Sometimes, after a wild night you need a good coffee to pull yourself back together. Dubai isn’t short of eclectic coffee options, but not many places serve Bulletproof coffee; a wicked concoction of top-quality black coffee, blended with butter and medium-chain triglyceride oil. Yes, it sounds like something that you need to put in your car to keep it going, but it’s a Silicon Valley trend that’s keeping those guys and girls going (and amazingly, it’s supposed to help you lose weight too!). Luckily, when the wife and I overindulged last weekend, Puff Baker Café was there to save the day with its version. I must admit, when I read it on the menu, it sounded disgusting but it was actually really tasty. Thicker than your usual coffee and with a coconut taste, it went down very nicely and perked me up within minutes. The café is an inviting, warm place with a comfortable outdoors section that’s a nice little suntrap for the early mornings. You might feel guilty watching the joggers go by whilst tucking into a syrupsoaked, pain perdu, but with the combo of good coffee and fresh air, it’s a highly-recommended place to recover from the night before. Puff Baker Café, Golden Mile Galleria, Building 3, Palm Jumeirah. 04 456 0894 puffbakercafe.com
JUST FOR
PUMA THE DISC BLAZE “DESERT DUSK”
First, a disclosure. Collectively, we own about 20 pairs of Puma Disc Blaze between us at Infusion Towers. We’re a bit - a lot - addicted. So it would only be a natural reaction that we got a bit giddy at the sight of these desert-themed kicks. A collaboration between Japan’s atmos and Swiss fashion label Titolo, they come with a bold camo print juxtaposed with burgundy and fire orange hues, and finished with an icy blue outsole. Perfect for our desert environment, they’re now available worldwide, and you’ll no doubt see the Infusion crew sporting them soon after.
COOLSTUFF we want
LOFELT BASSLET
Ever wanted a more physical reaction to the music you’re playing? Well thanks to this infinitely cunning gadget, you can now feel the bass notes and kicks as they producer intended. The Basslet is a small watch-sized devices that acts as a wearable subwoofer, giving your body a full sized bass workout. Thanks to precise German technology, it lets you feel the kick and bass frequencies without making any outside noise, and works seamlessly with Spotify and Apple Music. Originally a Kistarter idea that got funded, it’s available online from uk.lofelt.com for AED820.
THE SPIN DUBAI, FEBRUARY 2017
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ISSUE 54
DUBAI TO BLOCK OFF SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD FOR ALL NIGHT DEEP HOUSE PARTY
Dubai’s historic Sheikh Zayed Road is to be closed this coming weekend for the city’s biggest dance music project, an all night deep house party. Called Deep Salik, the party will run from 8pm Friday night until 6am Saturday morning. The all night rave will see 90% of Sheikh Zayed Road turned into VIP and VVIP tables, with Dubai Metro stations acting as bottle service points, with clubbers free to dance across the 14 lane highway. So far, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Joseph Capriati and Marco Carola have all been lined up to DJ. Some clubbers have expressed concerns, however, over the sound quality as the DJs will be based in Bur Dubai while the dancefloor stretches as far as Jebel Ali. Promoters have looked to assuage those concerns however, by stating that “even if the song at the stage and the song on the dancefloor is different, people won’t notice because all deep House sounds the same”. These stories are not true, this is not a real newspaper. This is a parody/fiction/ satire/joke. The Spin is not intended, in any way whatsoever, to be taken as factual.
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