Culture & Cool from Asia's most dynamic city
…ng only his mouth! For his Summer 2009 tour, Kela teams up with Andy Knowles, an accomplished drummer who plays with the band Franz Ferdinand, as well as London based d.j. Skelektrik. Adding a drummer and a d.j. will likely increase the complexity of the show he can stage. Want a sample of Killa Kela’s skills? Killa Kela Summer 2009 Tour August 1, 2009 Volar Basement 38-44 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong Central, Hong Kong Free for members, non-me…
…uipment to make music now more accessible than ever before, artists have become more free to experiment and develop unique sounds. The rigid categories that were once strictly enforced in music, have fallen away, leading to genre defying experimentation. The Brainfeeder label, home to TEEBS, as well as Flying Lotus and Samiyam, is a bastion of this sort of boundary pushing sound. TEEBS has produced two well received albums, Ardour and Collections,…
…ht, followed by a performance by the local group FAMA, sort of a Hip Hop / comedy duo. Ever wonder what rapping sounds like in Cantonese? Check out the videos of Clinton Sparks, Joe Budden and Fama performing! The performance got people in the capacity crowd moving! The place was completely filled even before New York D.J. Clinton Sparks, and M.C. Joe Budden took the stage. [photopress:LevisCopperCrowdHK.jpg,full,pp_image] [photopress:LevisJoeBudd…
…a friendly vibe, and anything but the typical Lan Kwai Fong experience. Recommended! Future Dancehall Featuring Mafio (TI SOUND), Enso (XXX/PIMPIN AINT EASY), Yao (METAUNT/SOLOS) and N1D (HEAVY) Saturday, May 28th, 2011 XXX Gallery Basement, 212 Wing Lok Street Sheung Wan, Hong Kong (The closest MTR stop is Exit A2 of the Sheung Wan MTR station, however, the space is still several blocks away towards Sai Ying Pun.) Doors open at 11pm Free entry!…
…until May 3rd. Catch it while you can. For the opening night there will be free shuttle buses running between the 10 Chancery Lane Gallery in Soho and the Chai Wan gallery starting from 6:30 pm and continuing most of the night. Alternately you can take the MTR to Chai Wan, bus number 788 from Central, or go by taxi. The shuttle pick up and drop off point is 10 Chancery Lane in Soho which is just opposite from the former prison, close to Old Bailey…
…harcyde were themselves major fans of Hip Hop culture and gave back to the community that embraced them. They once performed for free at the annual Rock Steady Reunion in New York, delivering one of the event’s best-ever performances in a basketball court with no stage. Unlike today’s YouTube rappers who lack presence and creative routines, MCs of the Pharcyde’s generation have all sorts of tricks to engage the audience and keep the energy level h…
…did for John Legend’s Heartbreaker. (Skip to the 1 minute mark, his remix talent becomes apparent at 1:30.) Saturday night at Dragon-i should be crowded, wild, sweaty, and filled with great music. Recommended! Laidback Luke Saturday, September 18th, 2010 Dragon-i Upper ground floor, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street Central, Hong Kong Cover charge of $300 HKD, Members free…
…discounted student tickets available as well, and kids under age 12 get in free with an adult. Regular admission on the days of the event (with no guaranteed availability,) will be an additional $100 HKD per ticket. Last year, ticket sales stopped one week before the event, so buy your tickets now – Clockenflap 2012 is not to be missed! Highly recommended! Clockenflap music festival 2012 December 1st and 2nd (12 noon until 10pm both days) West Kow…
…k party, held on a 500-person boat was creative, fun, and a major success! Combine a cool local crowd with a new atmosphere, good music, (and plenty of free drinks,) and one of the most sweltering nights of the year turns into one of the best recent events. You never know what to expect going to a new venue for the first time. Boat parties in particular take a good deal of courage as you’re trapped on board for the duration of the event. Unlike mo…
…On Saturday May 10th Magnetic Soul presents D.J. Drumstruck from London and D.J. Celsius from Jakarta. The event is free and takes place at Linq at 37-43 Pottinger Street in Central. The party runs from 11 pm to 5am! Supporting D.J.s include: Cookie, Teem, Blood Dunza, and Fat Demon Check out the Magnetic Soul website for artist bios and more information. [photopress:Magnetic_Soul_Drum_Bass_HK.jpg,full,pp_image]…
…k, even though you might not be familiar with his name. Though he may not be high profile, or do things like stage dive, you can expect SWITCH’s music to speak for itself on Saturday night. Highly recommended! SWITCH Saturday, June 23rd, 2012 Volar Basement 34-38 D’Aguilar Street (Lan Kwai Fong) Central, Hong Kong $350 HKD includes two drinks, Volar members free entry…
…reasons why they’re not popular. Feel free to add your own reasons in the comments! 10. They curse non-stop, and complain about where you want to go 9. They don’t help you with your suitcase, or even offer to 8. They drop you off at the wrong place, and then insist that it is correct 7. They always try to keep the change, despite giving you poor service 6. They smell bad, or the interior of the taxi does 5. They take the long way to get to your d…
…s packed with a diverse lot of art enthusiasts, enthusiastically consuming free drinks. The hallway leading into the main gallery featured stencils of superheroes flying through the air. Although the gallery offered a larger space than most in Central, the big turnout made it seem small. Click the image below for a bigger version. Along one wall were a bank of photos by Wing Shya. Simon Birch also had two paintings on the same side. Suspended from…
…nt, 38-55 D’Aguilar Street Lan Kwai Fong Central, Hong Kong Non-members $300 HKD cover (includes two drinks,) members free entry…
…nities outside of the industry norm. By tapping the inherent dynamics of a community site with its built in user base, the company is able to provide tailored solutions to artists. What does that mean? Here’s an example. Alive Not Dead recently assisted the band Audio Traffic hold an interesting hybrid event. Part mini-concert and part cd-launch, guests paid an entry fee and received not only a live show with special musical guests, but also a cop…
…combination! This is one performance not to be missed! For the night, A-Trak will be supported by D.J. Enso and Miss Yellow. The following night A-Trak will also be performing at Cubic in Macau. Recommended! DJ A-Trak Volar Basement 38-44 D’Aguilar Street Lan Kwai Fong Central, Hong Kong Free for Volar members, non-members $250HKD cover charge includes one drink….
…ere fall into that niche. Dog Bite Dog is violent, gritty and extreme. One complaint I’ve heard about the film is the ending. It seems to have a false ending, meaning it could end at a certain point, and then continues for about twenty minutes more. Although I can understand that criticism, I can see why the director chose to keep it. The transformation of the two main characters wouldn’t be complete without the ending the way it is. Dog Bite Dog…
…DJ set, and we’re looking forward to checking out his selections. These are just a few of the dozens of attention worthy acts booked for the three-day fest. We suggest you go through the full line-up and find a few that peak your interest. Highly recommended! Clockenflap 2016 November 25th, 26th, and 27th, 2016 Central Waterfront, Near Pier 9 Central, Hong Kong Get your tickets via the Clockenflap site. Remember, children 12 and under are FREE, a…
…ing Ape. Visvim products are highly regarded for placing equal emphasis on comfort, quality, and design. Although sold in select stores outside of Japan, the Hong Kong shop is their first foreign retail venture. The Hong Kong F.I.L. store is a collaboration with the I.T. Group, one of the top players in H.K.’s upscale clothing market. Collaborations like this, where a foreign brand has a local partner are a common practice here. In particular D-Mo…
…ed (and colorful,) Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy banners. I’ve counted at least three free-standing signs in high foot-traffic areas. Though in the past some clubs have went so far as to take out T.V. advertisements, this is an uncommon practice in Hong Kong. Last month’s edition of Cliq’s Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy was a big success. The club was packed with people and the vibe was good. Friday night’s party features sets by the mainstays: Kid Fresh, DJ Enso and Mi…
…avorite Simon Birch will also be involved. There are a host of additional activities including a film screening and a few gatherings to coincide with the two-day conference that takes place on Friday and Saturday. The event, (which will be held in the Convention Centre,) is not free, but there are several ticketing plans, including discounts for students. [photopress:Semi_Permanent_conference_Hong_Kong_china.jpg,full,pp_image] For more detailed in…
…On Friday, July 31st, a new night called Scream launches at Pop Bites in Soho. DJ Asim Fiction plays a range of new electronic dance music including Nu Disco, House and Electro. Scream Friday, July 31st, 2009 Pop Bites Upper Ground Floor, 3-5 Old Bailey Street Central, Hong Kong From 10pm til 2am Free…
…J. Enso. Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy Cliq 2/F On Hing Building, 1 On Hing Terrace $200 cover charge includes one drink Doors open at 10:30. Free vodka shots until 11:30 (Ouch!)…
…d.j.s have broadened their tastes and dived into the global gumbo of music coming from all corners of the world.) The talent they book to headline PAE nights are somewhat unlikely stars who pioneer an interesting blend of new music. The d.j.s have often made the jump from being bedroom producers to Internet sensations by creating a string of underground remixes. This time around was slightly different. Their main guest was the record label head of…
…an easy place to relax while they drink. Though I’m a non-smoker myself, I realize the reality of people’s cravings, and have seen the hassles they present. (Next year I believe Hong Kong clubs are scheduled to go smoke-free, so outdoor areas will become all the more important.) Seeing how many people fit into the space over the evening I would even say it’s possible to have an event at Habitat. [photopress:rooftop_bar_lounge_Hong_K.jpg,full,pp_im…
…scovered. The magazine has an international feel to it. It’s advertisement-free and printed in a book-like format. Each artist has two pages to showcase their work. The premier issue was limited to a run of 3000, with each individually numbered on the back. The night’s excellent turn-out included notable Hong Kong artists ranging from Simon Birch, to the magazine’s lesser known contributors. [photopress:Kee_Club_HK_packed.jpg,full,pp_image] At tim…
…on Hypebeast. Details regarding exhibition hours and dates follow below. Recommended! Daydreaming with… Curated by James Lavelle and Simon Birch ArtisTree Art Space by Swire Properties 1/F, Cornwall House, Taikoo Place, Island East 22 Westlands Road (Just take a taxi to Island East, go up the escalator, and you’ll find it!) Quarry Bay, Hong Kong Invite only on Friday, May 4th, open to the public from May 5th until June 7th, 2012 Opening times: 10:…
…Fall / Winter denim collection. While supplies last, they also will receive a copy of local musician Phat Chan’s book, “Tat Addicts“. Does it get any better than that? Yes it does! In addition to getting to meet the two special guests, shoppers will also be treated to free beer and snacks! Phat Chan may be familiar to those into Hong Kong’s music scene. He’s a former member of L.M.F. and a current member of 24 Herbs. Recommended! Diesel Denim Tatt…
…they’re going to be debuting in 2009, the gang is holding a major sale to free up some space. The sale actually began on Friday, but it will be going on until 10pm on Monday night. The sale venue is not at Juice, but at another nearby location in Causeway Bay. See the map below! JUICE Garage Sale It’s not at the Juice store From Friday, December 12th, until Monday, December 15th 12 noon until 10:00 pm 3/F, 487-489 Lockhart Road Causeway Bay, Hong…
…” on Thursday, July 12th. Starting at 7 pm, the opening party will feature free drinks and a special four-turntable set by French scratch-masters d.j. Doze and d.j. Samir. Also in the mix is a House set by d.j. Swamy. L1ES ONE is experienced at working on a large scale and it should be interesting to see what he does with the space. Have a look at some of his outdoor paintings here. To view previous Six Keyz exhibitions, click here. The Six Keyz g…