Judging by recent and future events, talk that Luxy is experiencing some growing pains may be little more than flimflam. Last Friday, A State of Sound showed that foreign DJ talent is absolutely top notch and that the club can throw a cracking party.
As with any super club after a few years, the freshness wears off. However, at the end of the night, it is all about the BPM and sound system.
Burn Electric, comprising Hooker on the mixing board and Stefan Kostarelis on electric guitar, took the audience apart with gorgeous fat melodies and homegrown beats.
Kostarelis’ licks sit imperiously over Hooker’s carefully managed, intelligent yet driving electronica. Having played together many times on the Onyx stage, their presence was authoritative yet subtle, the usually gregarious Kostarelis hiding under a hoodie, while Hooker cut loose in a white boiler suit, displaying his craftsmanship, produced on Logic Studio and mixed live with Ableton.
After their stint, Genetically Modified Beats, made up of Eben and Schism, got right in the Ableton action at the front of stage and threw down a little bit of a monster set of dark and dirty electro while showcasing their own work. Hobbyist DJs they are not. The white doctor coats and gas masks worn throughout their set were a nice touch and carried on where Burn Electric’s hoodie and boiler room-plumber feel left off.
Tomorrow sees an all-Taiwanese affair at China White with Winter Rave. Code, Tiger and Cougar + Point will be displaying their wares at this intimate venue. A very different feel to the massive Onyx room for those who would like a change of atmosphere, and get to see how the local boys throw down.
Winter Rave is tomorrow from 10pm until 5am at China White, 2F, 97-101, Dunhua S Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市敦化南路二段97-101號2樓). Admission is NT$350 with a drink.
Luxy is going up against China White with Taiwanese team Tommy and MC Hotdog (熱狗) and their new album release party. Not exactly hip-hop as Top 40 lovers would know it, this music — Hotdog’s hard-edged voice over gritty and bouncy turntablist beats incorporating 2-step and garage — is real Taiwanese.
Tommy and MC Hotdog album release party is tomorrow from 10pm until 4:30am at Luxy, 5F, 201, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段201號5樓). Admission is NT$600 at the door.
If Taiwan’s music makers don’t do it for you, then consider the alternative; the world’s number one DJ. Voted top dog by readers of DJ Mag three years straight, Armin van Buuren appears tonight at Luxy where he will play cutting-edge trance.
Armin van Buuren at Luxy, tonight from 10pm until 5am. Door damage is NT$1,300 and includes a drink.
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