The Hot List
A-Trak & Congorock @ Bar Rouge
In the wee morning hours of 12 June, 1997’s DMC World DJ Champion returned to Shanghai bringing his party-rocking flavour of turntablism to the indefatigable Bar Rouge. Joining him was Congorock, an upcoming Italian DJ and label-mate on Fool’s Gold Records. Although the heavens opened up and drenched the terrace with rain, that didn’t stop a full capacity turnout of punters from supporting the electronic duo until well after the sun came up.
MESH @ The Mixing Room
The first weekend of June saw the much anticipated MESH – Music Exchange Social Hub – finally premiere. Organised by Jane Tan of Phreaktion, better known to most as drum’n’bass queen DJ Siesta, MESH brought together a range of industry leaders, artists and curious participants for a series of insightful discussions on the state of music in Shanghai. After all the talk, Philadelphia-based DJ Diplo wowed the crowd at the Mixing Room at the Mercedes-Benz Arena with his mash-up of electro, hip-hop, dubstep, reggae and a few cheeky a capellas. Expect another round of MESH come late fall, as well as many more top names featured at the Mixing Room now that Muse has joined the venue’s management team.
DJ OF THE MONTH:
DJ Mau Mau
For a guy who has only been in town for three years, DJ Mau Mau – known to his mother as Sam Maurey – has already made a name for himself as one of the more versatile DJs, and sought after promoters, in the city. Starting with his quirky Baijiu Robot parties in C’s and continuing with a residency at LOgO, Mau Mau’s sound has evolved from his hip hop foundation to include electro, tech house, tribal, Moombahton and a few other surprises. It’s difficult to decide which is more infectious: the music he effortlessly plays or his laugh. For the past two years he’s been an integral member of The Ice Cream Truck, throwing some of the city’s best outdoor parties including an ongoing weekend series at Atanu on the Bund. Catch him there on 9 July, with STD DJs R3 and Ssoso, or his weekly Thursday MELT night at Dada.
Web: www.tictcreative.com