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UPCOMING
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
ONTOUR ALEXKID [FRA] Friday August 31, Revolver DAVE SEAMAN [UK] Friday August 31, Onesixone BASS AGENTS [MAS] Friday August 31, Inflation PHOTEK [UK], NITIN SAWHNEY [UK] Saturday September 1, Hamer Hall MARIA MINERVA [EST] Saturday September 1, The Liberty Social RICK ROSS [USA] Thursday September 6, Festival Hall RED RACK ‘EM [UK] Friday September 7, The Croft Institute JOHN ‘00’ FLEMING [UK] Friday September 7, Brown Alley STEFFI [GER] Friday September 7, Liberty Social TIEFSCHWARZ [GER] Friday September 7, New Guernica SASSE [GER] Friday September 7, Mercat Basement TODD TERRY [USA] Saturday September 8, New Guernica OCTAVE ONE [USA] Friday September 14, Mercat Basement SOLA ROSA [NZ] Friday September 14, Northcote Social Club LUKE FAIR [CAN] Friday September 14, Onesixone KENNY LARKIN [USA] Friday September 14, New Guernica ROGER SHAH [GER] Saturday September 15, Room680 ZOMBIE DISCO SQUAD [UK] Saturday September 15, Prince Bandroom KENJI TAKIMI [JPN] Saturday September 15, Mercat Basement FERRY CORSTEN [NED] Friday September 21, Palace Theatre HERNAN CATTANEO [ARG], FRITZ KALKBRENNER [GER] Friday September 21, Brown Alley NARI AND MILANI [ITA] Friday September 21, Royal Melbourne Hotel ERIC CLOUTIER [USA] Friday September 21, Mercat Basement COMMIX [UK], FRICTION [UK] Friday September 21, Roxanne Parlour DOCTOR P [UK], COOKIE MONSTA [UK], FUNTCASE [UK] Saturday September 22, Roxanne Parlour OPTIV [SWE] + BTK [BRA] Saturday September 22, The Night Owl SCISSOR SISTERS [USA] Wednesday September 26, Hamer Hall RICK WADE [USA] Friday September 28, The Croft Institute DAS EFX [USA] Friday September 28, Prince Bandroom NICK SENTIENCE [UK] Friday September 28, Room680 TONY TOUCH [USA] Friday September 28, The Espy GIGAMESH [USA] Saturday September 29, Seven FUNKAGENDA [UK] Saturday September 29, Pretty Please TOMMIE SUNSHINE [USA] Saturday September 29, Prince Bandroom PAUL OAKENFOLD [UK] Friday October 5, Festival Hall FELIX DICKINSON [UK] Friday October 5, Mercat Basement ANDRE LODEMANN [GER] Friday October 5, Onesixone PARKLIFE: JUSTICE [FRA], PASSION PIT [USA], PLAN B [UK] + MORE Saturday October 6, Sidney Myer Music Bowl PUNKS JUMP UP [UK] Saturday October 6, Prince Bandroom TOMMY FOUR SEVEN [GER] Friday October 12, Brown Alley RUDIMENTAL [UK], SLUGABED [UK], EMALKAY [UK], IKONIKA [UK] Friday October 12, Brown Alley AME [GER] Saturday October 13, Brown Alley MONKEY SAFARI [GER] Saturday October 13, Prince Bandroom STEVE AOKI [USA] Saturday October 13, Shed 4 BIG FREEDIA [USA], THEE SATISFACTION [USA] Thursday October 18, The Hi-Fi FUNK D’VOID [UK] Friday October 19, Brown Alley BIG FREEDIA [USA] Saturday October 20, The Tote STEVE RACHMAD [NED] Friday October 26, Brown Alley MACEO PLEX [USA], MATTHIAS TANZMANN [GER], MARGARET DYGAS [UK] Saturday November 4, Brown Alley ROBERT HOOD [USA] Friday November 9, TBA MOULLINEX [POR] Saturday November 10, New Guernica ECLIPSE: PERFECT STRANGER [ISR], OLIVER LIEB [GER], ADAM FREELAND [UK] + MORE Saturday November 12 – Friday November 16, TBA SUBB-AN [UK], MIGUEL CAMPBELL [UK] Sunday November 18, TBA STRAWBERRY FIELDS: JAMES HOLDEN [UK], TYCHO [USA], PREFUSE 73 [USA] + MORE Friday November 23 – Sunday November 25, TBA STEREOSONIC: TIESTO [NED], AVICII [SWE], CALVIN HARRIS [UK] + MORE Saturday December 1, Melbourne Showgrounds NICK WARREN [UK] Friday December 7, Billboard TERRENCE PARKER [USA] Friday December 21, TBA FALLS FESTIVAL: SBTRKT [UK], COOLIO [USA] + MORE Saturday December 28 – Tuesday January 1, Lorne BIG DAY OUT: THE BLOODY BEETROOTS [ITA], KASKADE [USA], CRYSTAL CASTLES [CAN] + MORE Saturday January 26, Flemington Racecourse
2.
REAL TALK
Have you ever wondered how many photos you’re in? Seriously. Not tagged photos on Facebook or the amount of baby snaps your parents have hidden in the attic, but all of the photos in which you’ve made an unconscious appearance in. For example, you might have wandered into the background of a tourist photo, perhaps made an appearance behind the scenes in a club snap, heck, someone might have sneakily taken a photo of you on the train. People do that. I don’t really know why this piques my interest but hey, watch out. Tyson Wray
Steve Rachmad: Remixer
Ten years is a long time to be in the clubbing game, and mad props to the Melbourne Techno Collective for providing this city with many a weekend of debauchery and damn fine cutting-edge beats. To celebrate, who better than one of the industry’s longstanding residents, the Netherlands’ Steve Rachmad? With over twenty five years of involvement in music at large, to say that Steve Rachmad has been integral to the development of the scene in his native Netherlands and beyond seems an understatement. A name often associated with Detroit techno, electro and deep as well as techier house, releases and collaborations have come on imprints including Soma, Music Man Records, Truesoul, Delsin, Figure SPC and Get Physical. As remixer, too, he is much in demand having re-worked Joel Mull, Nina Kraviz, M.A.N.D.Y. vs Booka Shade, Sam McQueen and many more to devastating effect. Rachmad’s enduring relevance is testament to his ever-evolving talents – catch him at Brown Alley on Friday October 26.
Steve Aoki: Dim Mak Manager
Love him or loathe him, there’s no denying that Dim Mak head honcho and wild child Steve Aoki is a dance music tour-de-force. A Miami native now based outta Los Angeles with a BA double majoring in Women’s Studies and Sociology (no, seriously, look it up) under his belt, Aoki began Dim Mak way back in ‘96 with little expectations and a desire to have a good time. He succeeded: now playing host to releases from MSTRKRFT, Herve, Fischerspooner and plenty more. He’s also taken the world of electro by storm as a fearsome producer and DJ, who counts recent collaborators The Bloody Beetroots, Armand Van Helden of Duck Sauce, Afrojack and others as friends. He’s steadily building himself a reputation as dance music’s most notorious party-starter. Cake, champagne, inflatable life rafts - expect the unexpected when Steve Aoki plays Shed 4 in the Docklands on Saturday October 13.
Andre Lodemann: Spiritual House
This year’s debut LP release from Berlin-based Andre Lodemann seems a perfect representation of everything the DJ and producer has stood for after over twenty years of immersion within the dance music industry. It explores the deeper side of house through to dub techno and every shade of colourful, emotive dance floor fodder in between. He began to release music in 2001 on labels that include Moods N Grooves, Simple Records, G-Stone, Room With A View, Z Records, Freerange, Buzzinfly and more, finding themselves a welcome home in clubs and underground DJs a-plenty. Determined as a musician to arouse emotion and touch people musically, his DJ sets are deep and funky, discovering the emotional and spiritual depth of deep house. Lovely. Andre Lodemann plays Onesixone on Friday October 5.
Rudimental, Emalkay, Slugabed, Ikonika: Bass Powerhouse
What could be better than a lineup featuring some of UK bass’ most renowned powerhouses courtesy of two of Melbourne’s favourite crews, All City Bass and The Operatives? Sounds good in theory, and even better in practice. Heading down to Australia for an all-out bass-heavy assault on Melbourne’s dancefloors are the likes of Birmingham-based grime, garage and dark style dubstep producer Emalkay, Ninja Tune renegade Slugabed (whose recent unofficial remix of Darude’s Sandstorm is a veritable modern-day classic), eclectic East London quartet Rudimental, and last but most certainly not least, hyperdub stalwart and 8-bit goddess Ikonika. Oof. They descend on Brown Alley, Friday October 12.
Eric Cloutier: Talent Scout
Quick to establish a name for himself in the competitive and thriving world of Detroit’s dance music scene, Cloutier’s past includes residencies at The Necto and prominent after-hours spot The Works. That led him to a job booking talent for clubs, bringing in the likes of Richie Hawtin, Luciano and Michael Mayer to town, as well as handing out residencies to local legends 3 Chairs and Stacey Pullen. Equally talented at picking the best of dance music’s talent as he is making it himself, he effortlessly threads together deeper shades of house and dubinfused techno as a DJ and a budding producer. We are most definitely honoured to have Cloutier take some time out to grace Melbourne’s clubs with his highbrow approach to the art of dance music. Catch him at The Mercat on Friday September 21.
Optiv and BTK: Drum And Bass Bangers
Releasing music for the best part of 13 years, Optiv, otherwise known as Edd Holmes, has been an integral member of the drum and bass scene at large. Launching his own imprint Red Light Records a decade ago, the label has seen lots of solo work plus collaborations with Axiom, Chris.su and Rymetyme on tracks that demonstrate the label’s ethos of hardhitting dancefloor-friendly bangers. Now based in Sweden, he shows no signs of slowing down - nor does fellow headliner BTK. Based in Brazil and an equally competent force in drum and bass, BTK has amassed releases on esteemed labels such as Virus Recordings and Renegade Hardware, before capitalising on his vast experience to launch his own lavel Dutty Audio. Catch them both at The Night Owl on Saturday September 22.
RESPONSIBLE: Managing Editor: Ronnit Sternfein ronnit@beat.com.au Editor: Tyson Wray tyson@beat.com.au Listings: club/promoter submissions clubguide@beat.com.au - now online at beat.com.au - it’s free! Production: Pat O’Neill art@beat.com.au Typesetting: Rebecca Houlden Cover Design: Pat O’Neill Advertising Senior Sales: ronnit@beat.com.au (03) 8414 9710 Taryn Stenvei taryn@beat.com.au Fashion and Beverages: Tamara Perenic tamara@furstmedia.com.au Ph: 03 8414 9732 Deadlines: Editorial Friday 2PM – absolutely NO exceptions. Club photos Monday 9AM (email only clubpics@beat.com.au). Advertising artwork Monday 12PM. Photographers: Callum Linsell Contributors: Rezo Kezerashvili, Miki McLay, Shane Scott, Simon Traspier, Brian Rotide, The Knowledge, Ellen Devenney, Dan Watt, Aaron Ralston, Birdie, Liam Pieper, Simon Hampson, Chad-Michael Michaelson, Mikolai, Reuben Adams, David Edgley. Publisher: Furst Media, 3 Newton Street Richmond 3121 Ph 03 9428 3600 www.beat.com.au
EDITORIALDEADLINE - 2PM FRIDAYS NO EXCEPTIONS UP TO DATE
Kenji Takimi: From Japan With Love
Japan is home to one of the most leftfield and thriving dance music scenes in the world, and one of the figures that most embodies the country’s creative spirit is producer and DJ Kenji Takimi – a pioneer in leftfield disco and the dude behind cult label Crue-L. Since its inception in ‘91, Crue-L has played host to a stunning array of releases, including groundbreaking output from Cornelius and Buffalo Audger alongside his own eclectic and much-praised work. It’s seen him requested by the likes of Cut Copy, Dimitri from Paris and Sebastien Tellier for his magic remixing touch. He shows no signs of slowing down, with Tim Sweeney declaring his Beats In Space set as the show’s mix of 2010. Despite a successful career spanning 23 years, this will be his first trip out to Australia - finally! Catch Kenji Takimi at The Mercat on Saturday September 15.
Friction and Commix: Spring Tunes
Those of you with a penchant for drum and bass with a melodic and emotive sensibility as well as a killer instinct for rattling dancefloors would have been pleased to hear that Cambridge drum and bass project Commix were dropping by for an early spring tour. In light of the recent release of Dusted and the news that a second album was on the way, Roxanne Parlour is set to get even more crowded with the addition of revered Brighton-raised DJ Friction to the lineup. He’s a veritable powerhouse utilising three decks on a regular basis, who’s equally at home ripping up the BBC Radio 1 airwaves as he is playing clubs and festivals the world over. Alongside running one of the genre’s most successful imprints Shogun Audio, there’s nobody better suited to matching Commix’s equally fearsome talents. Catch them both at Roxanne Parlour on Friday September 21.
End Of The World: As We Know It?
By now, everyone has heard about the various ancient prophecies predicting some sort of apocalypse at the end of this year, and if you haven’t – sorry for the heart attack we probably just gave you, but at least you’ve got time to prepare now. There are the Mayan prophecies, the Incan and Egyptian prophecies, the prophecies of Nostradamus, as well as a host of prophecies from other people on the Internet. That’s right: we’re all gonna die. Sorry. But who cares – it’s a great excuse to get wild in Melbourne city, right? Join the likes of Kid Kurupt, Billy P, Justin C, Gian vs. Prosdo and more at Platform 1 and bring someone to cuddle when shit inevitably gets real on Thursday September 17.
THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE
3.
SHOCKONE
“Dance music is moving so fast now that a song I wrote a year ago could sound out-of-date. It’s been quite a mountain to climb but you definitely learn a lot about yourself as a producer.”
EUROPEAN INVASION: UNIVERSES A change of scenery can really make a difference for any producer, DJ or musician. Just ask Karl Thomas. The Perth-bred musical mauler, who operates under the name ShockOne, fell under the spell of London while touring and decided to move there. It’s a logical step for an artist who has developed a reputation as one of the hottest names in the bass music scene and as someone who is serious about taking their career to a global level. Thomas has wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity to push his name and brand of melodic bass music to a wider audience. Operating out of one of the thriving capitals of electronic music the DJ-producer has trekked around Europe and is poised to release his anticipated debut album Universus. There’s no rest for the eternally wicked as the globetrotter is planted in the studio when we catch up with him. The man behind blistering anthems like The Sun and Crucify Me is actually enjoying a rare weekend off from his typically hectic schedule to focus on his album. “Pretty much every weekend I’ve been somewhere in either England or Europe,” Thomas says with an underlying hint of tiredness in his voice. “It’s been a bit of a struggle trying to write the album and still keep playing at the weekend. I can’t really afford to stop doing shows at the moment, I’ve just gotta keep pushing it and building a profile over here.” With the proverbial iron hot now is the time for ShockOne to strike. There are few places that have been free from his onslaught, from Eastern to Central Europe and everywhere in between. “I was in Russia a couple of months ago, that was an experience. I did this party about two hours outside of Moscow. That’s a bizarre country, you really feel like you’re somewhere different. I’ve been doing a lot of shows in Central Europe, there’s a really big scene in Austria, they’ve got a really great bass music scene. I did some shows in Germany, played a festival in Hungary a couple of weeks ago. Slovakia, Belgium, a lot of shows in France, kinda all over the place,” he says somewhat nonchalantly. To sum it up, ShockOne has been a hell of a busy dude. “It’s been quite spread out over the whole of Europe where I’ve been doing shows.” Central and Western Europe have been two of the most vital markets in his global expansion, thanks to their
4.
appetite for that everlasting bass. “Dance music and particularly bass music at the moment is really healthy there, maybe more so than in the UK even, it seems like there’s more parties happening in Belgium and France and Austria compared to London. It’s all good though, as long as people are interested in your music and I’ve really found that lately.“ Those positive vibes plus the fact that there are more people to play to and gain as fans is what inspired Thomas to pack up and head to London. Comparing the 22 million-plus population in Australia with the 738 million-plus population in Europe made the move a no-brainer. “It’s hard to be an electronic music artist and make a living touring in Australia because there’s just not that many big cities and you can’t keep playing the same clubs because people will get sick of you. Whereas with Europe you can literally be in a different country every weekend and you can do that all year and not go to the same city twice.” Rather than just making a big decision on a whim, Thomas’ move to the UK was more calculated. “Before I moved I’d already done three tours over here, I definitely already had fans. I don’t think I could’ve moved if I didn’t already have a strong fanbase across Europe.” With a large base of fans established he was able to consistently line up multiple shows each week in short order. “I’ve been at it quite a while now and I think I’ve had a bigger fanbase and demographic in Europe than before I did in Australia, before anyone even knew who I was in Australia I had toured Europe twice because the style of music has always been bigger over here.” Even with all the groundwork laid few can be prepared for the sheer enormity of the EDM scene in London. It was a climate and sub-culture that Thomas had to adjust to before diving straight in. “There is that London dance music scene and if you don’t know everyone it’s a bit harder to break into. It’s something I have to work on now that I’m living here.” The dynamic DJ, however, is not overwhelmed and understands that he has to put in the hard yards to make it in such a bustling musical city. “So many genre-defining artists have come from London. Everything I do comes from London so it’s only natural you’ve gotta work a little bit harder to get noticed here.” Thomas sees this as his challenge to show and prove what he can do on a grand scale. COVER STORY
“There’s so much of it and they’ve seen it all before. They had the drum and bass explosion in the late ‘90s, early 2000s so you’ve really gotta work that bit harder to excite people because they’ve got everything at their fingertips, so I think it really it is that small fish in a big pond thing in London.” The motivation that type of environment has provided to Thomas has been invaluable to his career and growth as an artist. “I think it’s a great kick in the arse to motivate me and make me work even harder and push myself even further. It’s forced me to raise the benchmark for myself which is what I’m doing with this album at the moment. If it can’t match up with the best world there’s no point in putting it out in my opinion.” As such, his debut studio album Universus lives up to its name and is truly international. Starting the recording process back in Perth two years ago things were put on hold for the move to London. With those European vibes in his system things began to really take shape. “I had to move everything over here and get into my creative flow, which took a couple of months and it was really hard because I was touring back and forth so much. I’d have about two months then it’s like ‘fucking hell, I have to get back on the road again.’ So it’s hard to get continuity in your writing and that creative vibe happening.” Once he got into the swing of things however everything started to click. “The move over here has probably made me reassess the album and the songs I was gonna put on before because like I said I’ve raised my standards again. There was some stuff from the past that wasn’t really cutting the mustard any more so I started to write something that was more new, a bit more current. Dance music is moving so fast now that a song I wrote a year ago could sound out-of-date. It’s been quite a mountain to climb but you definitely learn a lot about yourself as a producer.” Much to the delight of his fans worldwide Thomas confirms that the album is about two tracks away from completion. Meanwhile his fans in Melbourne can expect a newer, bolder ShockOne when he hits Brown Alley. “I’ve been changing things up with a lot of different styles of music and being a bit braver in challenging the crowd.” While it’s been almost a year since he made the
big move he has been back and forth between Europe and Australia for tours and doesn’t feel that disconnected from his homeland. Making his last visit to Melbourne for Creamfields earlier this year he will be returning for a headline show at Brown Alley next Friday. “I’m really looking forward to getting back,” he says. “I love playing Brown Alley, it’s always such a sick vibe there. It’s also a really educated crowd, the crowd there know the tunes and are on the ball even when you drop something that’s not a total anthem and they are keen to hear new music, which unfortunately is rare now. So it’s great to have a crowd that is pumped for the newer sounds.” Not stopping at Europe, the ShockOne revolution is also inching towards that new hot bed of dance music, America. The ‘land of opportunity’ could be fertile ground. “I’m looking at going over there in early 2013. Dubstep is blowing up over there, its fucking huge so that’s my next area to conquer.” Much like our native land the U.S. has for the most part been rock dominated throughout its musical history, something that is changing thanks to the dubstep invasion.“I think dubstep is starting to change things and once America gets on something they get on it 100%, they get fanatical and big things happen.” Andrew ‘Hazard’ Hickey ShockOne [UK] plays Brown Alley on Friday September 7.
THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE
5.
We’re all about the late night boogie. Expect all things funk, hip-hop, soul, reggae, disco, boogie and house. Lounge, 243 Swanston Street, Melbourne
CQ FRIDAYS
WEDNESDAY29TH COQ ROQ Rocking Wednesdays at Lucky Coq are rotating DJs Lady Noir, Agent 86, Kiti, Mr Thom, Joybot and guests giving you nothing but the best new wave, punk, brit pop, bong rap and hair metal. Coq Roq takes place every Wednesday from 8pm with free pool downstairs from 9pm as well as drink specials. Roq out! Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor
HUMPDAY ANIMALS Enter the middle of the week; for some it’s the beginning of the weekend, for others it’s a break from study, for those of us who are travelling, it probably has no real significance (unless you’re wanting to party with the hot European girls from the hostel, because any day is simply another day when you’re travelling). Your midweek stomping ground, featuring DJs Danny Silver, Manchild & Mu-Gen. Free entry. From 10pm. Lounge, 243 Swanston Street, Melbourne
SOUL ARMY With more flavour than a chocolate pizza, the Wednesday Soul Army throws down raw, uncut funk next to smooth soul grooves and rare blue jams. Bring that special lady because when the boys lay down the love it could be the difference between ‘we’re just friends’ to ‘let’s get it on’. PBS stalwarts Vince Peach and Miss Goldie accompany Prequel and Black Diamond Kicks weekly. Free. Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy
WEDNESDAYS AT CO. Don’t have lectures tomorrow? Need a break from writing that last-minute assignment? Or simply just celebrating the end of hump day? Don’t miss Melbourne’s biggest mid-week party night – Wednesdays @ Co.! With free entry and discounted drinks for students all night long! Co., Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
LAUNDRY WEDNESDAYS Deep, dark, minimal dubstep and drum and bass. Laundry Bar, 50 Johnston Street, Fitzroy
THURSDAY30TH BIMBO THURSDAYS Tigerfunk brings with him his full band of travelling gypsies, hipsters and middle class executives, all of whom are prepared to deliver the most excitement you can have this side of the weekend. Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy
DUBSTEP THURSDAYS
weekly and it’s free. So get down to Eurotrash and get your wobble on. Eurotrash Bar, 18 Corrs Lane, Off Chinatown, Melbourne CBD
FREE RANGE FUNK Funk up your Thursday nights with Free Range Funk at the Windsor favourite Lucky Coq. Grab a couch early and enjoy one (or more) of their famous $4 pizzas from 7-11pm. Meanwhile DJs Who, Agent 86, Lewis CanCut and special guests tempt you into the night with their eclectic bag of treats. Setting the mood early is delightful jazz, deep soul, and funk. Later it’s fruity disco, choice house, and hipster dance drops. Free entry every Thursday. Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor
FUN HOUSE Celebrate Thursday night at Co. with club classics and dance floor anthems. Co., Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
SLOW HOUSE THURSDAYS Slow House Thursdays is just what Brunswick has been missing. Get down to the latest Thursday spot at Noise Bar, find a space with your bros and get into the as DJs Same O, David Bass and James Hurt spin bass laced tunes ‘til the early hours of the morning. Noise Bar, 291 Albert Street, Brunswick
THE BLACK PANCAKE CLUB The Black Pancake Club is where disc-jockeys bring in their treasured record collections to share with yaw’ll. Expect undiscovered nuggets, lost gems, far out there covers, moog inspired themes, and a host of other eclectic delicacies and toppings for your black pancakes! Taste makers on rotation include Shags and Richie 1250.Free entry. From 10pm. Lounge, 243 Swanston Street, Melbourne
WONDERLUST Fate, karma, the yin and the yang, the balance between chaos and order or divine intervention? A new spiritual high has emerged from the cosmic energies of the universe and it’s called Wonderlust! As luck would have it you can come and experience the effects of this strange new phenomena every Thursday night at The Carlton! Carlton Club, 193 Bourke Street, Melbourne
FRIDAY31ST
The weekend starts here! Get on down for after work drinks from 5pm with DJs Marcus Knight, Mark Pellegrini, Nick Van Wilder & DJ Anferny getting your weekend started right. 5pm til 3am. CQ, 113 Queen St, Melbourne
FIRST FLOOR FRIDAYS A journey of international music from all over the world; past, present and future rhythms incorporating afro, soul, funk, world and deep house elements! First Floor, 393 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
FREEDOM PASS Friday’s at Freedom with 2 premier clubs, 5 huge rooms, 10+ local and international DJs blending their unique sets across countless styles of tunes – vocal house, smooth R&B, electro and commercial top 40. Throw in a few sexy podium dancers, a world-class lights show and drink specials, the Freedom Pass is your personal ticket to a night you won’t soon forget! Fusion, Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
FRIDAY NIGHT LOFT PARTY Kitty Schmidt couldn’t find quality dance music in Fitzroy so she’s decided to open up her bedroom doors. Living above Melbourne’s stalwart lesbian/gay Libation Bar, she’s now throwing a monthly party in her boudoir. Come into her renovated upstairs loft, cocktail bar, dance floor and smoking terrace. With quirky house, deep disco and erotic electronica being spun by Marvin Roland, Mr. Pyz and Kitty Schmidt DJs. Libation, 302 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
PANORAMA Start your weekend on a good note with Panorama Fridays at Lucky Coq. DJs Matt Rad, Mr George, Tom Meagher and Phato A Mano transform the upstairs area into one hell of a house party with Hip Hop, Funk, R&B, Disco and House. Meanwhile, downstairs gives you a secluded wind down atmosphere with cult films as background visuals and quality cocktails to sip on. Let the new coqtail list wash away a crappy week! Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor
RETRO SEXUAL FRIDAY DJ Grandmaster Vicious spins Fitzroy’s finest mix of ‘80s and ‘90s pop, rock, new wave, hip hop, disco classics and cheese to please plus dance floor anthems from then to now. One Twenty Bar, 120 Johnston St, Fitzroy
SATURDAY1ST
BUHLOONE MINDSTATE “It might blow up but it won’t go pop” is the philosophy at Buhloone Mindstate and features Melbourne’s finest bands and DJs playing every Friday night, late. That’s just how we roll.
It’s Dubstep, it’s Eurotrash, it’s new, it’s the vibe, it’s Thursdays, it’s
CLUB SODA Taking place each and every Saturday night in Melbourne’s CBD on the corner of Lonsdale St and King St, Club Soda plays host to a fresh, new concept – local/national/international DJs weekly, un-paralleled entertainment, performances, and disco tomfoolery. Don’t let the bubbly name fool you, Club Soda is your weekend’s thirst quencher – changing people going out for convenience, whilst not leaving the sour taste of an empty wallet on Sunday morning. Our doors open for you every Saturday at 9.30pm, and stay open until you should go home. Brown Alley, Cnr King & Lonsdale St, CBD
EDEN SATURDAYS Smashing it every week at Melbourne’s hottest looking venue! Top 40 dance, house and R&B 9-3am, then electro from 3am 5am. DJ Ontime, DJ Ryza, Scotty Erdos and Azza M. $15/$20, free entry after 4am. Eden, 163 Russell St, Melbourne
EUROTRASH HOUSE PARTY Put your hands in the air with some of Melbourne’s best party DJs, including including Mu-Gen, Lace em’ Tight and more. Eurotrash Bar, 18 Corrs Lane, Off Chinatown, Melbourne CBD
EY:EM EY:EM at Lounge features residents Boogs & Who, who will host Melbourne’s top purveyors of club music, showcasing both local and international DJs playing the most upfront club music. With rotating DJs Dave Pham, Sleep D, Bryce Lawrence, Louis McCoy, Caine Sinclair, Glyn Hill & Toby Mackisack. Expect nothing but excellent house music all night long. And remember, clubbing happens in the EY:EM. $10 from 11pm. Lounge, 243 Swanston Street, Melbourne
FIRST FLOOR SATURDAYS It’s house, electro, dub, anthems, disco and funk with guest DJs Genetix, B-Two and Oohee rocking til the break of day. Doors open 10pm with $5 basics til midnight! First Floor, 393 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
HOMECOMING In the grand tradition of past Saturday nights at the Prince of Wales, it will regain it’s rightful place on the pantheon of Australian dance music playing host to the best and most exciting EDM locally, nationally and internationally. Local residents include Generik, Oskar, Swick, Tranter, M.A.F.I.A., Streetparty DJs and Clip Art, and scheduled guests The Aston Shuffle, Tonite Only, The Swiss, Luke Million, Parachute Youth, Louis La Roche, Alvin Risk and more. In addition, Homecoming has prepared a veritable roster of exciting drinks and cocktails to fuel the fun, including Fresh coconut cocktails, Dr. Pepper, Electric Lemonade, Tecate, Thai-style Buckets and Bubble Cup cocktails. Prince Bandroom, 29 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
HOT STEP Google Hot Step and you’ll get a bunch of Vietnamese game reviews and Balkanese dances on YouTube. But that’s nothing like what you can expect to find within the confines of Bimbo on a Saturday night. Developing thick and heavy but altogether groovy, enjoy an eclectic mix of fairy floss funk, doom disco and monk movement minimal every week. Free. Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy
SATURDAYS AT ONE TWENTY BAR DJ CKass will take you on a musical journey to the retro sounds of the ‘70s and ‘80s, followed by Top 40. One Twenty Bar, 120 Johnston St, Fitzroy
6.
ESSENTIALS
SOUND EMPIRE Get ready for the mega sounds at Sound Empire, Melbourne’s epic new Saturday club night with five places to party! Mega sounds from resident DJs Tate Strauss, Miss Sarah, Nova, Johnny M, Matty G, Dean T, Joe Sofo, Marcus Knight, Dinesh, Chris Ostrom, B-Boogie and Sarah Roberts. Co., Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
STAR SATURDAYS Star Saturdays - smashing it every Saturday! Phil Ross, Scotty Erdos, DJ Ontime, LC, Nick James, Dane Gains, Ryan Hamill, Deja, Phil Isa, Nixon, Azza M, Scotty Nix, DJ Ryza, C Dubb, Alex-J, G-Funk, Dylisco, Achos, Az, Shaggz and guests. Star Bar, 160 Clarendon St, South Melbourne
TEMPERANCE SATURDAYS DJ Marcus Knight & DJ Xander James drop sexy house, dance and drum and bass all night from 8pm. Free entry. Temperance Hotel, 426 Chapel St, South Yarra
TEXTILE Saturdays at Lucky Coq tick all the boxes so start your night early and stay til close! Famous $4 pizzas from 7-9pm (that’s dinner sorted) then from 9pm spread over two levels with DJs playing hip hop, funk, disco, house and electro. Rotating guests on both levels keep the tunes fresh. Free entry. Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor
WEEKEND The brain child of the creative kids at 360 Agency and Seven Nightclub. The Weekend is here to put a smile on your dial every Saturday night. We want you to join the family. Dancing from 10pm weekly. Seven, 52 Albert Rd, South Melbourne
SUNDAY2ND SOUTH SIDE HUSTLE The perfect Sunday soundtrack with DJs Askew, Peter Baker, Booshank, Paz, Miss Butt, Junji, Disco Harry and guests. They will be laying down disco, afro beat and deep house til 3am. For lovers of good music - South Side Hustle. Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor
STAR BAR SUNDAYS The original and still the best Sunday in Melbourne. Star Bar, 160 Clarendon St, South Melbourne
SUNDAE SHAKE Our Signature serve. Each and every Sunday we play host to a self professed vinyl junkie caught between the golden years and boogie wonderland. A mouthful? Perhaps. Phato Amano perfectly sets the mood for an audio-adventure that redefines the dance floor weekly. Our Sunday aficionados Agent 86 and Tigerfunk stir up a full cream shake to the flavour of your liking. Forget everything you thought you knew about losing yourself to the grooves. Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy
MONDAY3RD IBIMBO Have you always wanted to be a DJ but been cruelly cursed with tone deafness and a general inability to version excursion? Well Bimbo Deluxe saves the day once again.. All you need is an iPhone and you’re set. Just download the free ‘remote’ application from the app store, log into the Bimbo DJ wireless network and you choose which song plays next. Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy
TUESDAY4TH BIMBO TUESDAYS Bimbo Tuesday’s have long been the discerning DJs midweek breath of fresh air. An opportunity to indulge in, and to each parade their individual takes on music. A night where by the weird and wonderful is not frowned upon but rather celebrated. Resident selectors Matt Radovich, Andras Fox and Henry Who draw from a colorful array of sounds that warm your midweek blues. From 8pm, free. Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy
COSMIC PIZZA NHJ and friends host every Tuesday night upstairs at Lucky Coq. Playing uneasy listening, freaked out bass jams, romantic comedy disco, tropi-jazz, soundtracks and shit you won’t hear on the other nights. Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor
UPCOMING STEFFI Dabbling in music, art and generalised counterculture for years now, it’s safe to say that German purveyor of all things house, techno and beyond Steffi is a revolutionary in dance music. Her manifold successes in all manner of realms have established her as a true goddess of the dancefloor. A regular resident at Berlin-based Panorama Bar as well as its in-house label Ostgut Ton, her credentials as a producer couldn’t be more wellestablished, not to mention her role in running successful labels Klakson and Dolly and a long-time party promoter. Friday September 7, The Liberty Social, 279 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
FERRY CORSTEN One of the core acts that revolutionised trance, superstar Ferry Corsten, is many things to many people. To provide a bio for the man would take days, given his role as a producer, DJ, innovator, visionary, and whose fingerprints can be found all over the genre and all across the world. With a career that continues to go from highlight to highlight, with this year’s full-length effort WKND eagerly snapped up by thousands of believers and fans across the globe, there appears to be no stopping the legend. Fans of the man have been desperate to see the legendary Full On Ferry experience down under, with sneak peeks on YouTube looking mindblowing. Finally Australians will have the chance to catch it in action this year. Friday September 21, The Palace Theatre, 20-30 Bourke Street, Melbourne
TAI BRING THE NOIZE: RETURN OF THE MAX Tai Jason Patient (yes, his real name) is a native Londoner who now lives in Munich, Germany. During his short yet illustrious career, he has worked with artists as diverse as Steve Aoki to Felix Da Housecat – and with many more on the horizon, there is no end in sight. No less, collaborations are slated with Tommie Sunshine, Bart B More, Joachim Gaurrad as well as material on Boys Noize Recordings. “I’ve been producing for over ten years now,” chimes the affable bloke. “I came from a bit of a hip hop background over here – but I think the first electronic track I did was for Tomcraft; that was a long time ago and then all of a sudden I was doing my own music and that pretty much brings me to where I am today – and I’m loving it.” Having travelled to various corners of the globe not only in his capacity as a DJ, he actually spent some time moving around for other reasons. “Actually I was born in the UK, but then we moved to Thailand and lived there for a few years – later on, we came to Germany. I grew up with my mother - and she is a bit of a big hippie - and since she liked it, we stayed there for a few years. I think we did a bit of a world tour together, being in different countries and all that. I also have a feeling that we were in Sydney, she used to tell me. Now she also lives in Germany but she isn’t so much of a hippie anymore – I don’t think there are any hippies left actually. It was an ‘80s thing and now she’s working in the real world!” So after a childhood spent living around the world, from the UK to Thailand, Tai found his heart lay deep inside an MPC drum machine as a teenager and spent years
collecting his hip-hop beats and programming those one-off grooves. Later turning his production expertise to producing cuts for the dance floor, he has wowed crowds globally ever since. Indeed, having had a background in urban music placed him well to deal with reconciling the challenges of what else is out there. “For me it feels really natural to work with people. Sometimes I notice that people come to me and say ‘You’ve worked with so and so.’ It’s really rewarding to have people saying that to you, acknowledging the work you have done. Because I produce for different artists it feels natural for me to do things on my own. In the last year I did tracks for Diplo, Steve Aoki, Bart B More, and Felix Da Housecat. I also did two tracks with Crookers and now The Bloody Beetroots are coming into the studio to lay down a couple of tracks as well. So it has been a pretty busy time.” And for the (now) German, he claims there is only really one way of doing music: “I try not to think too much about it,” he says. “I just do what comes naturally; electronic music is exploding at the moment and I think it’s really important to have different music in your ear that you’ve heard somewhere. That said, you have to do what comes to your own mind and what feels interesting to you. As an artist, you should have your own special sound. You don’t even need studios anymore; everyone has the capability to do music. I just want to do whatever. Sometimes I think that people won’t like something because it will be too hard or too ‘something.’ I mean even Tiesto liked a track of mine!”
Perhaps he doesn’t necessarily know what to make of that honour – regardless though, he is pushing on and focusing on staying busy. “I recently dropped a single on Dim Mak Records called Lose Yourself and am doing another one that is coming out in a month or so. There is also another called Nigerian Connection, which has just been mastered and should be out soon. I was also kind of working on an album as well, so I have a bunch of new tracks which no one has ever heard; so I think I’m going to really try this new music on you guys in Australia at
the gigs and I hope you are basically jumping in the air straight up, rather than running away. There should be a lot of music people haven’t heard before as well as a lot of bootlegs and a lot of tracks and edits that are new. I’m really looking forward to it.” RK Tai [UK] performs at Treehouse, Roxanne Parlour on Saturday September 8.
NITIN SAWHNEY QUANTUM TECHNO: UNIVERSES UK-born British Indian Nitin Sawhney is the true definition of a prolific artist: exemplified by nine solo albums, four collaborations, innumerable film, theatre and dance scores and four honourary doctorates with a fifth coming this week (something that Sawhney says he feels humbled by to the point of confusion and guilt). Rounding out that list is a host of writing, directing and acting credits under his belt and while trawling through his overwhelming body of work, you start to get an idea of the creative pulse that drives Sawhney every minute of every day. With an upcoming run of intimate band performances as well as DJ sets in Australia, Sawhney is looking forward to the opportunity to play the music that he says colours his life. “When I perform live with the band it’s pretty much focusing on the album material,” Sawhney explains. “I’ve written nine albums now so I have a pretty big back catalogue from which to get my favourite material. Also I’m coming out there to DJ which will be a lot of fun. I’m a resident DJ at Fabric in the UK and do a fair bit of it through Europe so that is something I really love to do.” Taking on so many different styles of music, presented in such varying formats bears wondering how he’s able to shift creative gears with such ease. “When I’m making music I always have to draw on my own feelings as a cathartic experience,” he explains. “But I guess if I’m working on a music score then I am working within the vision of the director and I’m trying to find their motive. When I was scoring The Alfred Hitchcock Project I had to make assumptions about his intentions for the film and the psychological motives of the characters. Whereas if you’re working on an album it’s very much an expression
and a dynamic approach to your own history and during that process something comes out that resembles a body of work that you wish to share with the world. “I think as a musician and a composer you are always searching for the perfect soundtrack to your life and along the way you are evolving that with the people you collaborate with and the people that you just meet on your journey. All of it is interesting and relevant and music is the perfect language within which to explore that.” When asked what his current projects are he muses on his enthusiasm for the upcoming production of a play he has been writing, Einstein Tagore. Sawhney is using the medium of theatre to contemplate the connections between the scientific and the spiritual – namely quantum physics, Hinduism and spirituality as a whole. “When you look at people like Galileo and Copernicus, they were at odds with the orthodox, religious views of the time,” he says, while discussing the void that exists between modern spirituality and science. “There has always been opposition within scientific discovery and religious assumption. Assumption is based on faith and scientific discovery is based on evidence. But that doesn’t mean that science is always right either, because there are still a lot of assumptions within science about how the universe works. As we discovered from what we know about dark matter or about the Higgs Boson is new information and this new information can overturn the discoveries that came before. Today’s quantum physics is yesterday’s science fiction. “Think of the notion of quantum entanglement. The idea is that you have two particles that behave in exactly the
Photo: Steve Gulick same way regardless of how far apart they are and I haven’t met a physicist who can explain how this can be. Time and space are irrelevant because they have a system of instant communication between them. You have these things that suggest there is a true fabric to the universe, but then you have someone like Richard Dawkins who claims that science proves that there can be no religious elements. I think we would be very arrogant indeed to think that our limited brains and minimal senses can possibly fathom the intricacies of the universe as though it is some easy-to-solve puzzle.” Sawnhey is unstoppable on this topic and it’s easy to want to hear more about his spiritual views in light of scientific fascination. Returning, after a long period of hypothesis, to music, he manages to unite these seemingly diverse ideas. “Music for me is about following intuition,” he says. “I mean, you have Keppler who talks about the music of the spheres so you kind of have this notion that
the universe is more than what we can see. We only understand what is within our dimension to understand. Music is a way of manifesting or having a connection with divine intentions. As a musician you are a medium through which the universe manifests itself. You have Michelangelo who said that the sculpture was already hidden in the stone or John Coltrane who said that improvisation was like a bird he wanted to catch so there is this notion that something is already in the air. This myth that we are creating is just that, we are merely uncovering the soul of emotion that exists in everything and we are just an extension of that.” Krissi Weiss Nitin Sawnhey [UK] plays The Sound Lounge at Hamer Hall on Saturday September 1 and then in unplugged mode also at Hamer Hall on Sunday September 2.
ALEXKID ALL GROWN UP: ‘90S NERD Alexis Mauri, aka Alexkid, has a long history as a dance music producer. A true technical nerd in the best sense, Mauri was first discovered in the mid ‘90s by another French producer and DJ whose star was on the rise, Laurent Garnier. Mauri signed to Garnier’s label, F Communications, and released his debut single in 1997. Since then he’s had releases on a host of well-known labels, including Cadenza, Rekids and NRK. He has also done remixes for artists including George Michael, Phonique, Crookers and Nina Kraviz. The sound of Alexkid is situated in Mauri’s feeling that music should really be felt by his listeners. On the phone from a tour date in Spain he passionately describes his philosophy and gives the impression of a thoughtful, critical nature. “I consider that electronic music should be somehow a bit physical. It should have some physical appeal.” As much as words can describe music this is an attempt: “It’s like, you know, it takes you a little bit from the guts and that’s why I don’t like all this pop, nicely done stuff. At the end of the day there’s no implication of the artist sometimes. I think you have to transmit something that is really sometimes impossible to express any other way. It’s just a matter of a feeling, you know. “Sometimes you listen to a techno track and you’re just like, ‘Wow, that’s so obscure or that’s got something so intense.’ At the end of the day though, it’s just sounds. How do you express that through words? They are very special emotions that I think on more commercial or pop stuff you don’t really find.” So what makes for a great track? “I think randomness is
important in all music. That’s my big problem with producers and productions nowadays. Before you used to have the element of mistake and error that happened because the drum machine was old or because the guy didn’t know how to program the drum machine, or it happened because the pre amp or the mixer was crap, you know.” We have to create that randomness with our modern music machines. “Now, we’re trying to emulate those things that don’t work that well. Those things were creating a little bit of the magic of the whole thing happening together. Music is like a snap shot, it’s a photography. It’s a moment - that’s what a song should be. With systems nowadays you can have something pretty decent and clean quite fast that sounds okay but it doesn’t mean it’s good. “That’s the mistake that a lot of people make - that it looks like, tastes like, sounds like but it’s not, you know. Of course you can take Garageband and put four loops together and it sounds like house music or like folk but that doesn’t mean it’s any good.” Mauri has been spending all of his time working on his new live show recently. “It has been quite a big challenge. It has been eight years without doing live shows and the first time that I’m by myself with machines too. I’m doing it with hardware which doesn’t make it easy of course. I made a whole nerdy system so I can use the hardware with Max/MSP. I trigger everything from the computer so I don’t program the drum machine directly.” Now that the live show is ready, Mauri has decided to focus on his own work. “I have released a zillion remixes recently.
I’m stopping that because I don’t have the time to make my own music. I have been saying that I will work on a new album for almost two years but now I’m almost ready to start.” He uses a number of approaches to writing but across them all is that sense of self-analysis. “The true trick is to do it and try to be totally critical,” he reflects. “Of course it will never be like what you really wanted to do. At the end, the important thing is to accept that is what you have done at that moment and that you have been true to yourself. You have been true to the music and that is what you are at that moment.” I wonder, with such a long career, if Mauri thinks he could have done anything differently? “Laurent Garnier said that if I wanted to DJ - which wasn’t something I wanted to do anyway - then I have to produce. It’s that simple. For me though, production is really the thing I like to do.” Yet he remains eternally critical of himself. “I’m sometimes a bit extreme about things. Unfortunately there is a lot about FEATURES
how you look, how you market your thing, who’s your crew or team and I never really liked that. So it’s something that maybe I should have considered. At the same time, I don’t know if it was a good or a bad thing. I have been doing it for almost twenty years and fifteen years as a career. Some guys get really big and they last like three years. So I don’t know, I really don’t know what piece of advice I would have been giving to myself.” Something must have worked because Alexkid is still going strong. “It’s kind of freaky because I think one day it has to stop,” he laughs. “I wonder what I’m going to do then.” Perhaps he can become a Timbaland style producer? “I have the skills; I’m really a nerd - that’s the problem,” he laughs. “I know my shit!” Simon Hampson Alexkid [FRA] plays Revolver Upstairs on Friday August 31.
7.
PURPLEEMERALD ONETWENTYBAR
BIMBOS
LUCKYCOQ
STRIKE
BLACKNIGHTCRASHATTHEROCHESTER
WORKSHOP
EDEN FIRSTFLOOR
8.
100% CLUB PICS
TRIPLE $15 FOR 3! BOWLING / DRINKS / LASER TAG
MIX AND MATCH AS YOU LIKE. TUESDAY NIGHTS AT STRIKE MELBOURNE CENTRAL, STRIKE QV, STRIKE GLEN WAVERLEY & STRIKE BAYSIDE. CONDITIONS APPLY. LASER TAG AVAILABLE AT STRIKE MELBOURNE CENTRAL ONLY.
FIND US ON
Arts Centre Melbourne presents as part of The New Hamer Hall Opening Season program
Nitin Sawhney Unplugged 2 September
“a fitting reflection of an implausibly free-ranging career (of) classical composer, club DJ and cultural commentator...” ” ★★★★ The Times (UK) Book online or call 1300 182 183 artscentremelbourne.com.au
THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE
9.
LIGHTATREDLOVE BE.ATCO.
RHYTHMALISMATFUSION FAKTORYATKHOKOLATBAR
FASHIONLOUNGE
KHOKOLATKOATED
LEVEL2
10.
100% URBAN PICS
DAS EFX
THURSDAY30TH MOTOWN THURSDAYS Kick start your weekend with Melbourne’s newest Thursday night! Motown Thursdays caters to all true music lovers. Join us on an eclectic musical journey of soul, funk and disco through to early R&B. A live Soul Band features some of Melbourne’s most talented musicians; Carmen Hendricks, Laurent Soupe, Duncan Kinell and Aaron Mendoza just to name a few. DJs keep the records spinning into the early hours; residents are Reg-e, Lee Davies, Kalepe, Dinesh, Suga, Rubz and Alwin Rafferty. Join us around a big, shiny disco ball or two, for free entry, soulful tunes, drink specials all night and a dance floor full of friends! Fashion Lounge, 121 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
RHYTHM-AL-ISM Start the weekend early with Fusion’s Resident DJs. Music for your funkin’ soul. Special guests every week! Fusion, Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
FRIDAY31ST FAKTORY This is it. Faktory Fridays are open for business at Melbourne’s home of R&B, Khokolat Bar. Where else? Damion De Silva, Ken Walker, Durmy, K Dee, Simon Sez, Yaths and Jacqui Dusk spinning all night long. Khokolat Bar, Basement, 43 Hardware La, Melbourne
FORBIDDEN This week at Forbidden by popular demand is R&B and hip hop with special live performance from hip hop artist Maximillan, along with Melbourne finest R&B DJs DJ Stylz, Rufio, S.k.N.a and the Forbidden residents! Forbidden officially sponsored by Red Bull is the newest club to join Melbourne’s night life, with a split level venue and excellent lighting and sound system Forbidden is set to make your night! Get down there this Friday to see what all the fuss is about! Level 2 The Club, 2 Arthurton Rd, Northcote
LIKE FRIDAYS Like Fridays at La Di Da serves up R&B and electro house across two rooms giving you a fun filled end to your week. DJs Dinesh, Dir-X, Sef, NYD, Shaun D, Shaggz, Broz and more. La Di Da, 577 Little Bourke St, Melbourne
LIGHT The buzz is Light at RedLove every Friday. Hitting out that R&B flavour of old, new and everything in between! RedLove Resident DJs Stel, Harvey Yeah, TMC and Ripz on the wheels of
steel from 6.30pm. If you don’t know, now you know! Check it! Red Love, Level 1, 401 Swanston Street, Melbourne
just a cold hard good time; look no further! Red Love, Level 1, 401 Swanston Street, Melbourne
THE LOOSE GOOSE
SHAKA SATURDAY
The Loose Goose is focused on providing a wonderful array of cocktails and offers a great CBD location to lounge and relax in while overlooking busy Flinders Lane. A small plates menu is available to graze on whilst trying our delicious cocktails from the classics to contemporary, beer on tap and a wide range of beers, wines and spirits. Every Friday evening DJ Jumps of The Cat Empire will take to the decks at the bar spinning his rare afro Latin funk vinyl collected from around the world from 6.30pm until late. Papa Goose Cocktail Bar, 91-93 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
SWEET NOTHING FRIDAYS DJ Marcus Knight and DJ Xander James spin hip hop, R&B and house tunes all night from 8pm. Free entry and early drink specials. Temperance Hotel, 426 Chapel St, South Yarra
THE NICE UP Tom Showtime presents The Nice Up. All flavours of hip hop, ghetto funk and reggae niceness provided. Sailor Jerry nice up the cocktails, Dos Blockos nice up the $5 beers. Fridays done proper. George Lane Bar, 1 George Lane, St Kilda
URTHBOY Urthboy is set to launch his new single Naïve Bravado. Teaming up with Daniel Merriweather, Urthboy sidesteps peers while exhibiting his trademark sharp flow, songwriting talents and that knack for well-crafted hooks. The concept of Naïve Bravado is like a lamb with a lion’s heart; a broken down car needing a jump start. It’s not a false courage if it leads you out of the mess. Anchored in running bass lines, ominous horns and monstrous percussive drums—all concocted by the brilliant collaborative production of Count Bounce and Hermitude. The Evelyn, 351 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
SATURDAY1ST KHOKOLAT KOATED All new experience, same great location with a fresh koat of Khokolat. Restless Entertainment reloads your favourite Saturday night party. Damion De Silva, K Dee, Jay Sin and weekly guests playing R&B & ol’ skool sounds strictly for the urban elite. Khokolat Bar, Basement, 43 Hardware La, Melbourne
REDLOVE SATURDAYS RedLove Saturdays is all about solid classics from the ‘80s, ‘90s and into the ‘00s! Dropping beats of retro pop, disco classics, old school funk, and certainly some of that old school r&b and house to kick! RedLove Resident DJs Phil, HB Bear and Da Gato bringing down the house every Saturday night. If you’re looking for quality service, music to rock, sumptuous drinks and
The newest R&B Superclub Shaka Saturdays grand opening is set to hit Melbourne over two massive weeks. The northern suburbs newest, freshest club playing all of your favourite R&B, hip hop, old skool and reggae. Shaka Saturdays is showcasing Australias newest and favourite R&B DJs, including DJ C-RAM bringing video mixing to Melbourne and special guest hip hop band Yellow Cake. Set at one of the most amazing venues Melbourne has to offer with two levels, good music, great ‘Shaka’ atmosphere and cheap drinks, we are hoping to pack it out and create a night for people to remember. Level 2 The Club, 2 Arthurton Rd, Northcote
UPCOMING RICK ROSS After cancelling his planned visit for this year’s Supafest, Rick Ross is set to make do with an Australian tour this September. Rickay Rozay has established himself as one of the biggest titans in modern rap, guesting with the likes of Kanye West and Diddy and building the Maybach Music Group empire in the process. The tour comes after the long-awaited release of God Forgives, I Don’t. Thursday September 6, Festival Hall, 300 Dudley Street, West Melbourne
ILLY Laying relatively low since absolutely smashing it last year with his sophomore LP The Chase, Illy has announced his return to the stage in preparation for his third LP. As well as showcasing his massive hits, none moreso than the ubiquitous It Can Wait, the tour will be the first chance for fans to hear material from the upcoming album. The first taste of the new record comes in the form of Heard It All, a single which is already gaining traction on national radio. Friday September 7, The Corner Hotel, 57 Swan Street, Richmond
BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY Grammy Award winning hip hop legends Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony are returning to their “second home” Australia, having already sold out over 20 Australian performances in the past. Having reformed for a upcoming performance at Rock The Bells in August this year, the group have created their fair share of interest regarding the possibilities of a new album, and have been introduced to a new generation of hip hop fans thanks to the likes of Drake and Wiz Khalifa expressing their admiration. Thursday September 20, The Espy, 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
URBAN
Both originating from the super-real streets of Brooklyn in New York, Andre “Drayz” Weston and Willie “Skoob” Hines are the two minds behind hardcore rap outfit Das EFX was the result of a chance meeting in college, cemented into place by taking out the top spot in a talent contest judged by EPMD - resulting in them being signed to the well-respected label and their career making a stratospheric launch into the higher echelons of rap fame after their first album went platinum and was released to much critical acclaim. With more than 20 years, five albums and an endless number of singles to their names, we’re pretty pleased to announce the next Das EFX tour down under. Friday September 28, The Prince Bandroom, 29 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
TONY TOUCH Tony Touch broke a lot of hearts when his most recent show at the Espy was cancelled a couple of months back – but the news you’ve all been waiting on with bated breath is finally here and a rescheduled date has been confirmed. The original b-boy has been kicking out jams since the early eighties, inspired by a love of artists like the Rock Steady Crew, Grandmaster Flash and Red Alert. His diverse range of titles also includes hip hop break dancer, rapper, DJ, producer and actor - a seriously multitalented approach to art that’s reflected in his impressive discography. Highlights include his legendary mixtapes, hugely successful record releases on labels like Tommy Boy, works with fellow kingpins Wu Tang Clan, Busta Rhymes, Eminem, and yet another upcoming release titled The Piece Maker 3. Count us excited. Friday September 28, The Espy, 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
SETH SENTRY Those of you with an eye on the Australian hip hop scene will certainly have heard of Seth Sentry by now. First bursting onto the scene in 2003 after a series of genre-bendingly exciting shows with local hip hop/drum and bass outfit D.S.O.L, he’s worked with fellow Aussie favourites 360 and Pez, made his way onto Triple J rotation with singles The Waitress Song and Simple Game, and is now set to release his debut album This Was Tomorrow through his own label High Score. To celebrate, an extensive national tour has been announced, and Melbourne can get a taste of his groundbreaking new beats. Saturday September 29, The Corner Hotel, 57 Swan Street, Richmond
BIG FREEDIA Bounce-rap Queen Big Freedia will bring her orgiastic troupe of rear-wriggling Divas to Australia this October with a club show alongside her Melbourne Festival performance. The towering transvestite announced New Orleans sissy-bounce to the world, where it’s been part of the city’s cultural fabric since the ‘80s. Responsible for its acceptance into the mainstream she’s now been received all over as an ambassador for the ‘sissy bounce’ genre. The provider of dance floor anthems Azz Everywhere and Excuse will have you infected with motion. Saturday October 20, The Tote, 67-71 Johnston Street, Collingwood
11.
WHERE TO NEXT?
Gypsy Bar 334 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 0548
Retreat Hotel 226 Nicholson St, Abbotsford, 9417 2693
HiFi 125 Swanston St, Melb, 1300 843 4434
The Retreat Hotel 280 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9380 4090
Highlander 11a Highlander Lane, Melb, 9620 2227
Revolt Elizabeth St, Kensington, 03 9376 2115
Hoo Haa 105 Chapel St, Windsor, 9529 6900
Revolver Upstairs 229 Chapel St, Prahran, 9521 5985
Horse Bazaar 397 Little Lonsdale St, Melb, 9670 2329
Rochester Castle Hotel 202 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9415 7555
Iddy Biddy 47 Blessington St, St Kilda, 9534 4484
Rooftop Cider Bar, Cnr Swanston & Flinders St, Melbourne, 9650 3884
Jett Black 177 Greville St, Prahran
Room 680 Level 1, 680 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn, 9818 0680
John Curtin Hotel 29 Lygon St, Melb, 9663 6350
Roxanne Parlour Lvl 3, 2 Coverlid Pl, Melb
Khokolat Bar 43 Hardware Lane, Melbourne, 039642 1142
Royal Derby 446 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 2321
La Di Da 577 Lt Bourke St, Melb, 9670 7680
Roal Melbourne Hotel 629 Bourke St, 9629 2400
Labour In Vain 197A Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 5955
Ruby’s Lounge 1648 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave, 9754 7445
Lomond Hotel 225 Nicholson St, East Brunswick
Saint Hotel 54 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9593 8333
Longroom 162 Collins St, Melbourne, 9663 9226
Sandbelt Live Cnr South & Bignell Rd, Moorabbin, 9555 6899
Loop 23 Meyers Pl, Melb, 9654 0500
Scarlett Lounge 174 Burnley St, Richmond, 9428 0230
Lounge 243 Swanston St, Melb, 9663 2916
Seven Nightclub 52 Albert Rd, South Melb, 9690 7877
29th Apartment 29 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9078 8922
Cookie Lvl 1, 252 Swanston St, Melb, 9663 7660
The Lounge Pit 386-388 Brunswick St, Fitzroy 9415 6142
Some Velvet Morning 123 Queen’s Parade, Clifton Hill, 9486 5192
303 303 High Street, Northcote
Corner Hotel 57 Swan St, Richmond, 9427 9198
Love Machine Cnr Lt Chapel & Malvern Rd, Prahran, 9533 8837
Spensers Live 419 Spencer St, West Melb, 03 9329 8821
Abode 374 St.Kilda Rd, St.Kilda
Cornish Arms 163 Sydney Rd, Brunswick
Lucky Coq 179 Chapel St, Windsor, 9525 1288
Spot 133 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9388 0222
Albert Park Hotel Cnr Montague & Dundas Pl, Albert Park, 9690 5459
CQ 113 Queen St, Melb, 8601 2738
The LuWOW 62-70 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9417 5447
Standard Hotel 293 Fitzroy St, Fitzroy, 9419 4793
Alia Lvl 1, 83-87 Smith St, Fitzroy, 9486 0999
Croft Institute 21 Croft Alley, Melb, 9671 4399
Mercat Cross Lvl 1, 456 Queen St, Melb, 9348 9998
Star Bar 160 Clarendon St, South Melb, 9810 0054
Alumbra Shed 9, Central Pier, 161 Harbour Espl, Docklands, 8623 9666
Cruzao Arepa Bar 365 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 7871
Mink 2 Acland St, St Kilda, 9536 1199
Station 59 59 Church St, Richmond, 9427 8797
Back Bar 67 Green St, Windsor, 9529 7899
Cushion 99 Fitzroy St, St.Kilda, 9534 7575
Miss Libertine 34 Franklin St, Melb, 9663 6855
Stolberg Beer Café 197 Plenty Rd, Preston, 9495 1444
Bar Oussou 653 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9384 3040
Damask 1/347 Burnswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 4578
Misty 3-5 Hosier Ln, Melb, 9663 9202
Sub Lounge & Restaurant 168 Elizabeth St Melb, 0411 800 198
Bar Open 317 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9415 9601
The Drunken Poet 65 Peel Street, West Melbourne, 9348 9797
Mockingbird Bar 129 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9534 0000
Sugar Bar (Hotel Urban) 35 Fitztroy St, St Kilda, 8530 8888
Baroq House 9-13 Drewery Ln, Melb, 8080 5680
Der Raum 438 Church St, Richmond, 9428 0055
Musicland 1359A Sydney Rd, Fawkner, 9359 0006
Temperance Hotel 426 Chapel St, South Yarra, 9827 7401
Bendigo Hotel 125 Johnston St, Collingwood 9417 3415
Ding Dong Lounge Lvl 1, 18 Market Ln, Melb, 9662 1020
Neverland 32-48 Johnson St, South Melb, 9646 5544
Thornbury Theatre 859 High St, Thornbury, 9484 9813
Bennetts Jazz Club 25 Bennetts Ln, Melb, 9663 2856
Dizzy’s Jazz Club 381 Burnley St, Richmond, 9428 1233
New Guernica Lvl 2, Hub Arcade, 318-322 Lt Collins St, Melb, 9650 4464
Tiki Lounge 327 Swan St, Richmond, 9428 4336
Bertha Brown 562 Flinders Street, 9629 1207
Double Happiness 21 Liverpool St, Melb, 9650 4488
Night Cat 141 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9417 0090
Toff In Town Lvl 2, 252 Swanston St, Melb, 9639 8770
Big Mouth 168 Acland St, St.Kilda, 9534 4611
E:55 55 Elizabeth St, Melb, 9620 3899
Night Cat 279 Flinders Ln, Melb, 9654 0444
Tony Starr’s Kitten Club 267 Lt Collins St, Melb, 9650 2448
Billboard 170 Russell St, Melb, 9639 4000
East Brunswick Club 280 Lygon St, East Brunswick, 9388 2777
Noise Bar 291 Albert St, Brunswick, 9380 1493
The Tote Hotel 67 Johnson St, Collingwood, 9419 5320
Bimbo Deluxe 376 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 8600
Edinburgh Castle 681 Sydney Rd, Brunswick
Northcote Social Club 301 High St, Northcote, 9489 3917
Town Hall Hotel 33 Errol St, North Melbourne, 9328 1983
Birmingham Hotel Cnr Smith & Johnston St, Fitzroy
Electric Ladyland Lvl 1, 265 Chapel St, Prahran, 9521 5757
Old Bar 74 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9417 4155
Trak Lounge 445 Toorak Rd, Toorak, 9826 9000
Black Cat 252 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 6230
Elwood Lounge 49-51 Glenhuntly Rd, Elwood, 9525 6788
One Twenty Bar 120 Johnston St, Fitzroy
Tramp 20 King St, Melb
Blue Bar 330 Chapel St, Prahran, 9529 6499
Empress 714 Nicholson St, Nth Fitzroy, 9489 8605
Onesixone 161 High St, Prahran, 9533 8433
Transport Hotel Federation Square, Melb, 9654 8808
Blue Tile Lounge 95 Smith St, Fitzroy
Espy 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda, 9534 0211
Order Of Melbourne level 2, 401 Swanston St, Melb, 9663 6707
Trunk 275 Exhibition St, Melbourne, 9663 7994
Boutique 134 Greville St, Prahran, 9525 2322
Eurotrash 18 Corrs Ln, Melb, 9654 4411
Palace Hotel 893 Burke Rd, Camberwell
Tyranny Of Distance 147 Union St, Windsor, 9525 1005
Brown Alley King Street, Melb,9670 8599
Eve 334 City Rd, Southbank, 9696 7388
Palace Theatre 20-30 Bourke St, Melb, 9650 0180
Two of Hearts 149 Commercial Road, Prahran
Brunswick Hotel 140 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9387 6637
Evelyn 351 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 5500
Palais 111 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs, 5348 4849
Union Hotel Brunswick 109 Union St, Brunswick, 9388 2235
Builders Arms 211 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
Ferntree Gully Hotel 1130 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully, 9758 6544
Palais Theatre Lower Esplanade, St Kilda, 9525 3240
Veludo 175 Acland St, St Kilda, 9534 4456
Cabinet Bar 11 Rainbow Alley, Melbourne, 9654 0915
Festival Hall 300 Dudley St, West Melbourne, 9329 9699
Papa Goose 91 Flinders Ln, Melbourne, 9663 2800
Victoria Hotel 380 Victoria St, Brunswick, 9388 0830
Caravan Music Club 95 Drummond St, Oakleigh
First Floor 393 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 6380
Penny Black 420 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9380 8667
Wah Wah Lounge Lvl 1, 185 Lonsdale St, Melb
Caseys Nightclub 660A Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn, 9810 0030
Forum Theatre 154 Flinders St, Melb, 9299 9800
Pier Live Hotel 508 Nepean Hwy, Frankston, 9783 9800
Wesley Anne 250 High St, Northcote, 9482 1333
Caz Reitops Dirty Secrets 80 Smith St, Collingwood, 9415 8876
The Fox Hotel 351 Wellington Street, Collingwood, 9416 4957
Pony 68-70 Lt Collins St, Melb, 9662 1026
Westernport Hotel 161 Marine Pde, San Remo, 5678 5205
CBD Club 12-14 McKillop St, Melb, 9670 3638
Fusion Lvl 3, Crown Complex, Southbank, 9292 5750
Portland Hotel Cnr Lt Collins & Russell St, Melb, 9810 0064
Willow Bar 222 High Street, Northcote, 9481 1222
Chaise Lounge Basement, 105 Queen St, Melb, 9670 6120
The Gallery Room 1/510 Flinders St, Melbourne, 9629 1350
The Prague Hotel, 911 High St, Northcote, 9495 0000
Windsor Castle 89 Albert St, Windsor, 9525 0239
Chandelier Room 91 Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin, 9532 2288
Gem Bar & Dining 289 Wellingston St, Collingwood, 9419 5170
Pretty Please 61c Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9534 4484
Workers Club 51 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9415 8889
Chelsea Heights Hotel Cnr Springvale & Wells Rd,
George Basement, 127 Fitzroy St, 9534 8822
Prince Bandroom 29 Fitztory St, St Kilda, 9536 1168
Workshop Lvl 1, 413 Elizabeth St, Melb, 9326 4365
Chelsea Heights, 9773 4453
Gertrude’s Brown Couch 30 Gertrude St, Fitzroy, 9417 6420
Prince Of Wales 29 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9536 1168
Yah Yah’s 99 Smith St, Fitzroy, 9419 4920
Cherry Bar AC/DC Ln, Melb, 9639 8122
Grace Darling Hotel 114 Smith St, Collingwood, 9416 0055
Public Bar 238 Victoria St, North Melb, 9329 6522
The Vine 59 Wellington St, Collingwood, 9417 2434
Chi Lounge 195 Lt Bourke St, Melbourne, 9662 2688
Grandview Hotel Cnr Heidelberg Rd & Station St, Fairfield, 9489 8061
Purple Emerald Lounge Bar 349 High St, Northcote, 9482 7007
Co. Lvl 3, Crown Complex, 9292 5750
Great Britain Hotel 447 Church St, Richmond, 9429 5066
Railway Hotel 280 Ferrars St, South Melb, 9690 5092
Colonial Hotel (Brown Alley) Cnr King & Lonsdale St, Melb, 9670 8599
Grind N Groove 274 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville
Red Bennies 371 Chapel St, South Yarra, 9826 2689
Commercial Club Hotel 344 Nicholson St, Fitzroy, 9419 1522
Grumpy’s Green 125 Smith St, Collingwood, 9416 1944
RedLove Lvl 1, 401 Swanston St, Melb, 9639 3722
12.
VENUE DIRECTORY
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