You are currently browsing the Clubbing category.
Once again the Defected boys served up another awesome night at Air, this time featuring fellow Englishmen the Shapeshifters, probably best known for the huge hit Lola’s Theme. Up in the bar AronT kept things bubling along nicely…
As always Air drew a knowledgable crowd who were definitely into their music. The shapeshifters played a well balanced set with a good mix of well known tracks and more obscure electro house numbers, probably my favourite being the classic “Paris is Burning” by Ladyhawk.
Click the image above ( or here) for more pictures…
Tonight will see the much anticipated debut of the one and only Mr Anthony Rowe, which should see the bizzare novelty of a packed club Rooty at his start time of 10pm…
Bar Jam is one of Tokyo’s smallest music venues with a capacity of little more than 30, however last night it played host to “Right, Right, Right” with their guest Billionaire’s Boys Club. We were taken on something of a musical journey through the annals of soul and house history, with a few surprises thrown in for good measure (Guns n Roses – “November Rain” stands out in my memory). I really enjoyed what was a night which was less about dancing and more about listening to records and enjoying a well crafted set. I think nights like “Right Right Right” give DJs far more freedom to choose the music they want to play as frankly there is no dancefloor to clear and the crowd were definitely discerning listeners featuring some of Tokyo’s best known DJs including Dante, Munoz and Will2Live.
I will keep my eye out for the next Right Right Right and will be sure to let you all know who will be featured next month…
Posted 5 months, 1 week ago. 1 comment
Another weekend…
Mine is shaping up like:
Tonight Mitch Norris is the special guest of the Right, Right, right team at Bar Jam near Ebisu. I spoke to Mitch earlier in the week and he said his set tonight is going to be a bit special so it is definitely not one to miss…
Saturday night sees a couple of returns for me. Not only will I be back at Velours, a venue I haven’t been to in almost 18 months, it will also be a party sponsered by Moët and Chandon a company I think I personally kept afloat while I was in London. Mike Munoz of London Calling and Jason Saint provide the tunes and will hopefully keep things suitably lively with a blend of house and disco for the sophisticated set…
Keep an eye on my Twitter feed for up to second updates, let me know in the comments what you weekend looks like…
Posted 5 months, 1 week ago. Add a comment
*update* Pictures are now up from push, either click the image or here
I’m having to write this post in the move, trying to move the photo from the bottom, as I managed to say yes to going to the airport to meet London Calling’s live act, The Crystal Fighters, from the airport (My decision making skills go way down for the first 5 mins after waking)….
Last night I was at Push in Fujisawa which proved a nice change of pace from the full on House of Friday night and the silliness that tonight will bring. DJ Dante was as always the highlight of the night slamming some old school funk and house tunes blended with some almost tribal house, nice. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there is nothing beter to pick up a tired crowd than some Disco Soul and last night I was close to collapse when “Love Sensation” (of Black Box sample infamy) came into the mix and it was like an aural hit of energy which kept me going until the trains were running.
Kudos also has to go to the live trumpeter which definitely added a fresh element to the mixture. I’m always a fan of live instrumentation in clubs and wonder why we don’t see more of it…
Tonight was going to be 100% London Calling but now I hear DJ Spen is playing at Air and I think his status as a house legend means I have to pay him a visit. Just a shame it’s at Air (dirty treble, surly staff, pricey cover and soft drinks) but you can’t have everything.
Keep tuned to Twitter for more updates, hope everyone at the Rooftop is having a blast…
Posted 5 months, 3 weeks ago. Add a comment
Dany Krivit rocked it last night with a serious dose of house music, full report to come.
I’m going to try to get some sleep before I head on down to the beach as the weather looks like it will be superb this afternoon. Who’s with me??
Posted 5 months, 3 weeks ago. Add a comment
Lost this post twice now due to a bug on my iPhone wordpress client. This is the “damn my thumbs are about to fall off” edition.
Friday: 57 then to Amrax for Danny Krivit
Sat: Sunset Freedom, then push
Sun: London Calling live.
Yeah I hate my wordpress client a lot right now…
Posted 5 months, 3 weeks ago. Add a comment
It’s fair to say that the weekend got off to a good, if low key start which is a definite step up from last weeks debacle. My first port of call was club Rooty where Jonathan’s birthday definitely went off with a bang. Mitch treated us to a storming set of soulful house with some awesome jazzy interludes but with enough thump in the bottom end to keep the walls shaking.
I had some friends to collect so I stepped out and on my way to meet them I got a message from Mr Mu$ic letting me know he had a party going on across the other side of Shibuya at club rock no cronoc. While I’ve always been a fan of the bar I had my doubts about it being a great party as it had totally slid under the radar.
I was quite wrong as a small but up for it crowd were treated to some mainstream electro-dance from the past couple of years which frankly was a good backdrop for a few quiet(ish) drinks before heading on up to Oath for the return of Jumpin’
Oath was definitely a better venue for the type of night Jumpin’ wants to be than it’s previous home the dungeon-like Colors Studio (a venue I love by the way). Oath is a small bar but unlike most Tokyo venues manages to get away with outdoor seating giving the whole venue a much more laid back and open feel. It was definitely nice to be able to sit out under the stars, listen to some trance edged house and chill out with my friends. My only real complaint was their utter ban on picture taking, but each to their own…
It would appear that I dropped the ball by not going to womb, but frankly I’m getting the feeling the weekend has only just begun and I’m feeling recharged and ready for some sun, sea and sounds down on the beach on Sunday…
Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago. Add a comment
Despite last weekend’s utter failure, It’s time to look ahead to what this weekend has in store for those of us who love our ears…
“Don’t call it a comeback”, well you can if you want, but Friday sees the return of Jumpin’ to Oath after at least a year away. The lineup includes Tokyo regulars Groove Patrol, Slick S and Sho setting the scene for Gonno to play his usual minimal influenced house until very very late in the morning (Jumpin’ is running until 8am, which should stop the usual “so where’s the after party?” silliness). Best part is the whole thing is free…
Also on Friday precussionist Johnathan Paets is celebrating his birthday at club Rooty in Shibuya, which given it’s small size should be jumping, so drop on by and feel the rhythm.
This weekend is the last official weekend of Summer and so rightfully beach parties are to the fore. Sunday in particular has an embarrassment of riches with both the East and West beaches at Enoshima getting in on the action.
Personally I think the vibe at the West Beach will suit me better with DJ Dante and the Push crew warming up for Alex from Tokyo. For those of you into the techno/minimal scene I’m sure Dave Twomey and friends on the East beach will not disappoint.
Hopefully my plans will work out better than last weekend,if I’ve missed anything please do correct me in the comments…
Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago. Add a comment
This weekend saw the first Bump party come to Fai in Aoyama. I’ve been to Fai a few times and really like the venue. The atmosphere is relaxed yet classy, with friendly staff and reasonable bar prices. One thing I really like is that due to the layout, the main rom never feels empty, even if it is less than full and yet is spacious enough to hold a sizable crowd.
The upstairs bar is also nice and cozy, though for some reason was really hot, probably due to someone turning down the air conditioning. The ‘VIP’ room is more than a little spartan but is unique in being quiet enough to actually hold a conversation in, something some other venues could learn from.
Probably the only complaint would be the savage lack of toilets which is made worse by the awful location (you have to squeeze past the bar and into a corridor so narrow both bathroom doors can’t be open at one time), suffice it to say there is always a queue for both men and women…
One thing Fai does have, at least in the main room is a solid sound system, which was put to good use keeping a lively crowd shaking it well into the morning. The ample power on offer was fully used by DJs AronT with his special blend of cathcy housey tunes, Russell Malon with a hard bass driven set and Yonosuke who closed out the night with a house set which was both dancable and ambient at the same time, quite delicious…
I’m pretty sure we’ll be at the next Bump, I’ll be sure to let you know when it will be and how to go about getting discounts on entry…
Pictures including a rare self portrait are over here.
Posted 6 months, 3 weeks ago. Add a comment
I wasn’t expecting much from this night on my way in, not being the biggest fan of house music (or for that matter Air as a club venue), however I was very pleasantly surprised. I had a great time to the funky sounds in the bar and Yass playing his blend of pseudo retro house in the main room.
Pictures are available over here
Posted 6 months, 3 weeks ago. Add a comment
