Bangkok’s clubbers have had a lot to shout about recently. After the military coup in September the nightclubs of the city began to stay open later and offer some light at the end of the dark tunnel of 2am closing times. Even before that though, the City of Angels was fast nipping at the heals of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore reaffirming itself as one of Southeast Asia’s premier party destinations thanks to a selection of hardworking promoters nurturing local talent and complementing it with a string of internationally revered acts.
The local party scene is thriving. Whatever you are into, you can be sure of finding somewhere to go that caters to your choice of niche tastes. Whether you are doing it up at Club Professionals on a Tuesday at Café De Moc or jumping around to dirty basslines at one of the many Vertigo events, Bangkok’s scene has never look healthier.
What better way to celebrate this positive state of affairs than with a week long DJ festival with one aim in mind: to usher in the new era of the Bangkok party? Although it may be some way off achieving the notoriety of Creamfields or Sensation White, the Bangkok DJ festival is shaping up to be one of the hottest events of the year.
14 globally respected DJs will play in Bangkok over seven days from November 28 to December 4 at two of Bangkok’s better venues, QBar and Bed Supperclub, both located on Sukhumvit soi 11. Cynics have been quick to question how such an event has come to be deemed a festival when in actuality it is nothing of the sort, but terminology aside, there is little to complain at, especially given the caliber of the acts that will grace Bangkok.
Whether you are a junglist at heart, a trend setting house lover or a b-boy purist you will be sure to find something to whet your appetite.
Arguably the biggest draw of the music festival is DJ Premier, consistently ranked as one of the top two hip hop producers of all time (with Dr Dre). Primo, as his fans know him, will add some credibility to Bangkok’s occasionally over commercialized hip hop scene. Everyone from Big L to Nas has worked with DJ Premier and his distinct production style is synonymous with many of the greatest hip hop tracks in recent years. His style is also one imitated on a regular basis. Be sure to head down to QBar on the 29th to witness this legend in action.
Drum ‘n’ bass fans will be foaming at the mouth at the prospect of one of the scenes godfathers, Doc Scott, making his way to Bangkok courtesy of the Specialist. Not only was Doc Scott there at the very beginning of drum ‘n’ bass as it evolved into a scene, but he has recently stepped back into the limelight after a hiatus with a series of productions that have been getting major DJ support and airplay from the likes of Fabio and Grooverider. An acclaimed remixer and industry figurehead, Doc Scott will play at QBar on November 28.
Aside from those who made the scenes what they are today, the Bangkok DJ Festival will play host to several acts who are making sounds for tomorrow. Nic Fanciulli is one of the young innovators of today’s house scene, and he has already established himself as a household name back in the UK. Nic is renowned for techy sounds and his darker approach to house music, and he is a talent to lead the genre down new alleyways. Out of all the DJs playing during the week long festivities, Nic Fanciulli’s set promises to be one of the most creative.
Returning to Bangkok once more will be Jazzy Jeff and Lil Louie Vega, both of whom have dazzled packed out crowds in the city before. Louie Vega needs no introduction. As one half of the prolific Masters at Work, his name in house music is as reputable as Goldie’s is in drum ‘n’ bass. Catch him at Bed on the 3rd, or head to QBar on the same night to see scratch DJ legend Jazzy Jeff take to the decks. Few DJs have been as prominent in their chosen scene as Jazzy Jeff. He found mainstream success with Will Smith (even pre Boom! Shake the Room these two were doing good things) and before that he solidified his reputation by taking the innovations of Grandmaster Flash to a new level, pioneering such scratch techniques as the transformer scratch.
Ticket prices for the event are 1000 baht Tuesday to Thursday and 1250 baht Friday to Monday. A ticket gets you entrance into both club and as they are only a stone’s throw from each other that’s not a bad deal. More info can be found at http://www.bkkdjfestival.com/
