Audio Tonic takes cover
Audio Tonic – the team behind 360°’s distinctive Friday-night Sunset Sessions – has taken a detour into more upbeat territories with a new indoor club night.
In addition to their much-loved alfresco concept, the team is starting a new night, Shibuya, subtitled “The Art of House Music”, a markedly grittier affair in the new Tecom nightspot The Basement.
“Nearly all our events have been open-air until now,” said the founder Mike Bufton, aka Mr Mr. “This gives us the chance to take it where clubbing culture was born, inside a true nightclub with four walls, a low ceiling and banging sound system.”
To get the new night off to a storming start, Audio Tonic have called on the services of the phenomenal French talent Rodriguez Jr, renowned for his “live” sets that blur the boundaries between a DJ set and band.
“I have some loops recorded, then I programme most of my beats live, and then I improvise on the keyboard over that – a lot,” explains the 37-year-old French DJ. “So every night it’s the same tracks, but the intensity, beats and structure are different – it’s like a rock band.”
Rodriguez is a master in the studio, too. His recent EP, Persistence of Vision, built on the sonic scope and ambition of his 2011 album, Bittersweet.
“I’ve known the Audio Tonic guys for a long time and I’m looking forward to this new venue,” he says. “It’s a basement vibe, very different to the concept they have at 360° – more underground, sweaty and ravey.”
• Read our full interview with Rodriguez Jr at www.thenational.ae/arts-life
• Shibuya is on tonight from 10pm at The Basement, Boutique 7 Hotel & Suites, Tecom, Dubai. Dh100 entry, ladies free before midnight
Join in the birthday celebraitons
Something old
Launched as a few stapled sheets of nightlife listings in 2004 – an Ice Age ago in UAE clubland terms – all-purpose Infusion has grown to become a main player on Dubai’s nightlife scene, as the promoter behind hip club nights such as House of Afrika and GlobalFunk.
The brand marks a major milestone tomorrow night with its We Are 10 anniversary party, featuring a visit from the prolific American-born, Greece-based, jazz-influenced producer Osunlade, plus a stint from the Dutch decksmith Born2Funk.
“Seeing the city grow and being part of creating its clubbing history for the past 10 years is an honour for the Infusion team,” said its founder, managing director and DJ Charl Chaka. “We look forward to the next 10 years of creating special moments and events in Dubai.”
Tomorrow from 6pm at The Deck on 8, Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City, free entry
Something new
Also celebrating an anniversary this weekend is Something Big, which rings in two years with a Super Batch Party starring international drum’n’bass names Alix Perez and DLR.
Over the past 24 months the brand has grown internationally, with tie-ups alongside Croatia’s Outlook Festival and the Czech Republic’s Let It Roll, as well as hosting an impressive roster of regular international events.
Its founder Omar Shaker said: “We are extremely proud to be celebrating our second birthday and are ecstatic with the way the brand has grown over time.
“It’s such a satisfying feeling to stick with an underground format that we believe in, while maintaining a very strong and dedicated following.”
• Casting off from Dubai Marina tonight at 10pm, Dh350 including beverages
Something blue
Another birthday party in town, but this one is just stopping by – the German techno pioneer Martin Buttrich is celebrating 20 years of music-making with his tour, which lands at Blue Marlin this weekend.
•Tomorrow from 1pm at Blue Marlin Ibiza, Ghantoot, reservations 056 113 3400
Other happenings in clubland
The Breakbeat pioneer Krafty Kuts is back in Dubai, spinning alongside A Skillz tonight at Zero Gravity, SkyDive Dubai. Doors from 6pm. Entry is free for men before 10pm and ladies before midnight, otherwise Dh100.
The Canadian EDM duo DVBBS, best known for last year's UK number one Tsunami, spin at Dubai's People by Crystal tomorrow, doors 10pm. Entry Dh100 for ladies, Dhs250 for gents or Dh300 per couple.
Cafè Mambo Ibiza hosts a one-off night as part of its World Tour, which hits Cielo Sky Lounge, Dubai Creek Yacht Club tonight, doors from 6pm, reservations 055 106 9059.
Newcomers
Pacha Ibiza Dubai
In case you missed it, after more than a year of hype Pacha Ibiza Dubai finally opens to the public this weekend. A huge multi-room concept, the venue mixes a stage show, pan-Asian restaurant and three distinct dance floors in the Souk Madinat spot where Trilogy used to be – check www.thenational.ae for our full preview.
• Launch party tomorrow from 8pm, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, entry Dh150
Skank launch
UK garage-club brand Skank is launching in the UAE, with a performance from early pioneers DJ Luck & MC Neat, known for their UK top 10 hits Master Blaster 2000 and Ain’t No Stopping Us.
•Tonight from 10pm at Story Rooftop Lounge, Holiday Inn Express, Dubai Knowledge Village, free entry
Grant Nelson
Going head-to-head with their own residents, Dubai’s 360° is launching a new Thursday-night concept with the Sunstroke team. Best known for their popular Dubai Marina boat parties, their new landlocked residency kicks off tonight with a special guest, the UK garage forefather Grant Nelson, pictured, behind the decks alongside Shane D.
• Tonight, from 6pm at 360°, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, free entry
rgarratt@thenational.ae
Our family matters legal consultant
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UAE v Ireland
1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets
2nd ODI, January 12
3rd ODI, January 14
4th ODI, January 16
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Scotland v Ireland:
Scotland (15-1): Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Huw Jones, Sam Johnson, Sean Maitland; Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw (capt); Josh Strauss, James Ritchie, Ryan Wilson; Jonny Gray, Grant Gilchrist; Simon Berghan, Stuart McInally, Allan Dell
Replacements: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, D'arcy Rae, Ben Toolis, Rob Harley, Ali Price, Pete Horne, Blair Kinghorn
Coach: Gregor Townsend (SCO)
Ireland (15-1): Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack Conan, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony; James Ryan, Quinn Roux; Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best (capt), Cian Healy
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, John Cooney, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour
Coach: Joe Schmidt (NZL)
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The%C2%A0specs%20
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
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Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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Terminator: Dark Fate
Director: Tim Miller
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Mackenzie Davis
Rating: 3/5
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Info
What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship
When: December 27-29, 2018
Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823
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Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5