It’s time to get your dancing shoes on and find your groove again as ZoukOut is here. Whether you are a mambo babe, a trancer, a house lover, an electro fan, an indie head or anything in between, rest assured there’s something in this boisterous yearly ritual to keep you suitably entertained. Here’s what to expect.
Main Arena
Headlining the Main Arena is megastar Ferry Corsten. This Dutch globetrotter, who has bagged a string of accolades such as “Best Dance DJ 2005” and “Producer of the Year,” is one of the world’s top DJs. He has produced several hits under numerous monikers, and worked with Tiesto, Vincent De Moor and Robert Smit. And his remixes for U2 (“New Year’s Day”), Duran Duran (“Reach Up For the Sunrise”) and Moby (“Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?”) have taken the world by storm. Corsten is most known for his trance, but has portrayed skillful musical dexterity in an array of genres!
Steve Lawler has graced the hottest clubs around such as Twilo in New York, Pacha in Buenos Aires and Space in Ibiza. He has thrown underground parties, played eight hours sets, got spotted by Darren Hughes, and was crowned as “The King of Space.” With his quality house, this man has shown an imitable ability to (almost always) bring the club down.
Another name to look out for at the Main Arena is Ben Sims. This techno Londoner started DJing at 10, and his three-deck wizardry is celebrated, hurling him to stardom within the international dance community. Come expecting groovy and funky music from this spinmeister to make you giddy with joy.
We say Matthew Dekay is going to be the next big thing (if he isn’t already). This Holland export plays house beats with trancy rhythms, seducing all to move to his addictive sound. And his fan base is growing fast, expanding with every dance floor he wrecks.
Aldrin needs no introduction. This famous Zouk resident has punters going wild at his monthly One with Aldrin gigs, placed Singapore on the international dance map with his distinctive house and has even won the praise of the famous Danny Tenaglia.
Velvet Underground Arena
Four-piece act Cuban Brothers is a riotous bunch. This outfit fuses comedy with music, and this, coupled with fun dance moves, is enough to make the most jaded clubber get onto his feet. Checking out their soulful, sexy tunes is a must if you are at the Velvet Underground Arena. See how they whip up frenzy—effortlessly.
And if you are into deep house, don’t miss Kerri Chandler. Especially familiar with garage music, he creates bass lines that go from heavy and invigorating to teasing and fun. This is intoxicating music to make you drunk with excitement.
Ibiza veteran DJ Pippi has shared decks with Danny Rampling, Erick Morrilo, Jose Padilla, Franky Knuckles and more. He started out in Ibiza, distributing tapes of his music, and one of them ended up in the hands of the management of the club Pacha. A swift ascension to fame followed.
And hailing from Belgium are brothers Stephan and David Dewaele who make up the act 2MANYDJS. With music that draws inspiration from progressive rock to R&B, hip hop to techno, this duo will get you shaking your booty within moments. Joining them afterwards are Stefaan Van Leuven and Steve Slingeneyer, and together, they form Nite Versions. Party to mash up sound.
Mambo Jambo/Hip Hop Arena
B-boys, fly girls, together with Mambo babes and dudes who know the hand signs to “Square Rooms,” should definitely hang out at this space. Jazzy Jeff (after a last minute cancellation at last year’s ZoukOut) headlines, with a promise to drop urban beats to make everyone wild. This turntablist is most known for his works with Will Smith.
Zouk’s kick-ass umbrella of residents Andrew Chow, Sonny, Tony Tay and Brandon will play you ear candy at the Mambo Jambo/Hip Hop Arena too. They will take their turn at the other stages as well (except Live Stage).
Live Stage
Like last year’s ZoukOut, there’s an entire stage dedicated to bands. Australian pop punk outfit Stars Don’t Fall will be playing this year. This band has played at Big Day Out 2006, and has shared stages with Funeral for a Friend and The Used.
A must-catch is Bangkok-based Futon. This excellent electro punk band, with drummer Simon Gilbert (ex-drummer of Suede), is hot, hot and hot. Its members sizzle on stage, performing with reckless abandon and getting everyone all keyed up just watching them.
Adding to the music mayhem are local bands Electrico, Plain Sunset, Astreal and The Great Spy Experiment. It’s an aural treat comprising rock, power pop, indie, punk, alternative and shoegaze. These bands will rock your socks off.
With such an amazing lineup of both local and international acts, ZoukOut is set to be a blast. To up the hip factor, Resfest is screening some of the most cutting-edge short films from its 10 year history too. There will also be foot massage services (especially useful when you’ve been dancing for hours), palmistry, drumming lessons, games, carnival rides, art installations and performers to keep things at a high. So fun, that you just can’t blame us when we open up another can of beer and a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
