And like that, he was gone. In what was supposed to be an early Christmas present for house music lovers, Ibiza's Tony Haze delivered an interesting set Saturday night at Plan B. If you've seen It's All Gone Pete Tong you'll know exactly what the lifestyle is like for an Ibiza club resident like Haze: throwing down massive tunes; partying hard; and showing up local DJs by mixing fabulously (unless deaf or badgered).
As Haze said in last week's Vinyl Word, he had come to party. He did. News filtered back that though clearly weary come Saturday night, he dropped some rocking party music. Two out of three isn't such a bad score. Perhaps it did go a little Pete Tong last Saturday, but maybe DJ life is not always like the movies. As Haze said, "It's All Gone Pete Tong was a travesty of modern cinema and anyone involved with the project no doubt hangs their heads in shame, apart from the badger." Luckily, or unluckily depending who you are, no local DJs left the party with their heads hung low.
So on to Christmas, when homesick souls and the Taiwanese massive gather together to celebrate the season of goodwill and hedonistic consumerism ... and something to do with Jesus. In a place where even Santa has visa trouble, the Vinyl Word's Xmas list this year is keeping the faith with some of the more well known DJs dispensing awesome house music treats.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF GARETH EMERY
First up, Gareth Emery is playing a teasingly short session tonight from 1am to 3am at Club Fusion in Tainan for its GTXmas Party. Voted 31st best DJ in the world by DJ Mag this year, Emery has deejayed for Godskitchen and Gatecrasher with the likes of Tiesto, Paul van Dyke and Judge Jules. Expect chunky house and progressive trance. The feminists among you will be outraged to know that boys pay NT$800 while the ladies pay only NT$500. Whatever happened to equality?
Club Fusion is located at 483, Yunghua Rd Sec 2, Tainan City (台南市永華路二段483號). Visit www.fusion-lounge.com.tw for more information.
Back in the capital, tomorrow Frog in a Sock Productions is holding Sleighed - The Xmas Xtravaganza, which runs from 10pm to 4am with DJs Sona, Michael Phonic and Schism holding point. Featured in the Vinyl Word a few weeks ago for wasting his talents in small lounge bars, Sona is finally getting a free run behind the decks in a big venue to dish out his much admired brand of deep house. Originally to be held at the Tango Hotel on Zhongxiao East Road, the management pulled out at the last minute and the bash is now being held the VT Art Salon. Prices have been reduced from the the originally whopping NT$800 to NT$350. VT Art Salon is located at B1, 47 Yitong St, Taipei City (台北市伊通街47號B1).
Down in the Taijungle tomorrow, a huge party is taking place at Wen In Hall from 10pm to 6am with Coburn, aka Tim Healey, headlining at Re:Action Electronic Xmas. Playing electro-rock, pop and tech punk, the party will be high on energy with two rooms and backup from Yoshi, Victor, Fratzuki and Gareth Jones, among others. Live visuals will be provided by Kazu, Bigga and Elmo. Although a bit pricey (NT$1,000 at the door) the bash has 13 DJs. Wen In Hall is located at 1-10, Shuangshi Rd Sec 1, Taichung City (台中市雙十路一段1-10號).
For more information visit www.boogie-pop.com, where samples of music by Tim Healy and all the local DJs on the bill can be found. For a lesson in mixing, listen to Gareth Jones' killer ensemble. Heads up.
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