If the region’s house heads can agree on one thing, it’s that the Audio Tonic team know their beans.
Now hosting their ninth season at Dubai’s iconic 360º, founder Mike Bufton’s claim to host the UAE’s longest-running club night seems to be a fair one.
What’s the secret? Aside from boasting some of the best (and best-known) residents in town, Mike, aka Mr Mr, has a finely tuned ear for rising talent. Often the guys you see behind the decks at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel club one year will be packing much bigger dance floors, all across the globe, the next.
So as the Audio Tonic team reveal their line-up for the new season, we asked the man behind it all who to watch out for in coming weeks.
“Just remember where you heard them first,” grins Mike.
1) Jimmy Van M — October 31
Mike says: “Famed for his strong association with genre-defining DJs John Digweed and Sasha back in the ‘90s, and his residency at the legendary Twilo in New York, Jimmy has lived and played across the globe and now resides in Beirut, as one of the residents at BO18.
“This will be a debut UAE gig for him, and also joining him is one of Beirut’s underground pioneers 3LIAS. As it’s Halloween we will be turning 360º into a cauldron of delight, too. Wait and see what that means ...”
2) Mihai Popoviciu — November 7
Mike says: “He’s considered one of the most respected artists out of Eastern Europe — he’s from Romania — and has a very distinct sound in his productions, and this is what sets him part from anyone else.
“Recent releases and remixes on the likes of Poker Flat, Dessous and Fear of Flying labels prove he’s in with the underground big guns. When we announced our line-up this date with Mihai was one which got very strong attention from our followers and the public.”
3) Nice7 — November 21
Mike says: “The Italian duo have been on the rise for the past few years, but it’s in 2014 that they’ve really stamped their mark as a global DJ entity. Simply put, they play the best clubs, best festivals and best cities for clubbing across the world, and their productions are outstanding.”
4) Jonas Rathsman and Isaac Tichauer — December 5
Mike says: “This is the gig I’m most excited about for 2014. The French Express record label has always been pivotal for me; they release incredible music, and to have the guys behind it join us on the way to their Australia tour is an honour.
“Rathsman’s recent BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix picked up huge support and praise, this really is one appearance of Season IX you don’t want to miss.”
5) Dale Howard — January 2 (2015)
Mike says: “The first Friday of 2015 welcomes Dale Howard, a true one to watch who has devastated dance floors in Europe and UK this past summer, most notably at Sankeys Ibiza. Releases on Noir Music, Stil vor Talent, Off Recordings, Get Physical and Gruuv are testament to where he’s heading.”
• Audio Tonic's Sunset Session take place every Friday, 4pm-3am, at 360º, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai. Free guest list from platinumlist.net
