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Weekend picks: Europe - June, Week 3
Ronan Fitzgerald picks out the ten best parties happening across Europe. And this week they're all about Sonar... well, almost.
  Secretsundaze at La Terrazza
 Sunday, 22 June 2008, Barcelona, Spain
Londoners won't need any introduction to Secretsundaze, and with a lineup like this newcomers won't need much persuasion. Mountain People will be applying the suncream to their pallid high altitude complexions as they make their Spanish debut, having played the SS opener in London earlier this year. Oslo's Johnny D meanwhile, one of 2008's most hyped new producers, will perform a live set that's something of an unknown quantity. Giles Smith and James Priestley will be the concerned residents, as ever, alongside the Dutch remix machine that is 2000 and One. Then there's the venue, a strangely idyllic looking open air spot complete with palm trees and one of the most elusive dance guests of all, natural light. One man who probably doesn't see too much of that, at least judging by how productive he is, is 2000 and One. We spoke to Dylan about DJing, about Barcelona, and about how his name survived the millennium bug.
Have you played Secretsundaze before? It might be a bit warmer this time!
Yes I played at Secretsundaze at the Key, Lovebox and last year's Sonar. It is always hot because it is one of the hottest parties out there!
Will you have a busy Sonar weekend, or just busy having fun?
Both busy and having fun. We will have some meetings with artist, DJs and partners.
Which do you prefer, gigs in the day or gigs at night?
Both have their charm so yeah, I like 'em both.
Does the music you play change much depending on the day/night thing?
Totally! Daytime or morning sunshine gigs are more melodic for me than night time gigs, which are more pumping house music.
What would you do on a Sunday if you weren't DJing?
Partying or sleeping! Usually partying.
Where will you be travelling to Barcelona from?
"I will be travelling from Bilbao in the north of Spain."
Do you bring an iPod or mp3 player with you when you travel? If so what will you be listening to next week?
I always have my iPhone stacked with the latest promo stuff I get and some really nice classic King Tubby dub albums.
What are your tips for people going to Sonar/Barcelona next week?
If it's your first time in Barcelona take the trolley bus tourist tour, one will see the nice parts of the city in just one ride. Then get off somewhere (not near Las Ramblas) and walk into a local bar where you can have a beer and a patas bravas!
Deeper Still at Club der Visionaere
 Thursday 19 June 2008, Berlin, Germany
If only all Thursday nights had Dan Bell and Cassy playing. Well, in Berlin they probably do. With Mr Bell better for US-Euro relations than Barack Obama why wouldn't you want to check this out? As for Cassy, her Hardwax house sound seems to be peaking in popularity but also in quality. A new release on her own eponymous imprint continues the haunting and hypnotic sonic imprisonment and makes this gig even more of a draw. Just don't fall in the river.
Inner city pick: After you've seen one of their employees DJ, why not go to Hardwax and spend all your money on round pieces of vinyl,. It's on Paul Lincke Ufer in Kreuzberg
 Monza Club Ibiza Opening at Privilege
Thursday 19 June Ibiza, Spain
Anyone who played Formula One computer games as a child will remember Monza's boot-shaped track being the easiest. Here it's a pretty simple decision too with M.A.N.D.Y., Mara Trax's Vera, Matt John, Margaret Dygas and Dorian Paic all opening Monza Club's residency at Privilege. Privilege is apparently the biggest club in the world, with a bus service operating between rooms and special monthly saver tickets. The commute is hot and sweaty but with Perlon's Matt John bringing the psychedelic house, Vera keeping things stoic, Dorian Paic of the excellent Raum...Musik, and M.A.N.D.Y also on board, you're sure to have a pleasant trip.
Inner city pick: L´Elephant restaurant in St Raphael serves French cuisine and comes with reports of the owner lashing out techno and dancing on the tables come 2 or 3am, so bring your parents.
 Beach Yeah at Chiringuito Calamar
Thursday 19 June Barcelona, Spain
Beach Yeah is an event that says "yeah!" to everything. It may even say "yeah!" to sand in the recesses of your body, but a lineup featuring Boris Werner of Remote Area and Moon Harbour is worth that crusty feeling. Also on the bill are Ray Okpara, a stalwart of the Mannheim scene that spawned Oslo and Cécille Records; Esther, maybe the only qualified nurse in the world of techno; Werner's longtime cohort Lauhaus; and more residents from Germany's Harry Klein club than you ever knew existed. Don't say "no", say "yeah!".
Inner city pickThe Hotel Princesa Sofia on Diagonal is a little bit off the beaten track but has possibly the greatest outdoor bar on the planet, if you're looking for some pristine yuppyish peace and quiet.
Innervisions at BeCool
Friday, 20 June 2008 Barcelona, Spain
The Innervisions label could be accused of straining under its current popularity, but that still couldn't damage this lineup. Dixon and Ame have been DJing long before anyone knew what Innervisions was and will probably be DJing long after that too. Meanwhile Henrik Schwarz brings his dramatic orchestral live show to Barcelona, which you should see at least once, not least if you've forgotten how much great music he's made. Finally Marcus Worgull makes an appearance. He may not be as high profile as his colleagues but his 'Under The Sycamore Tree' EP on Innervisions shows he has no need for an inferiority complex.
Inner city pick: Check out the Adidas Originals shop on Carrer d'Avinyó 6 in the Old City for sneakers, t-shirts, shades, and plenty more adidas goodies
 Raum Open Air at Velodroma de Horta
Friday, 20 June 2008 Barcelona, Spain
An essential pick in any weekly guide that matters, this one has Luciano facing off against Loco Dice, Martin Buttrich playing live, as well as Reboot, Tobi Neumann, and a whole load of Get Physical DJs. There are two stages for you to wander back and forth between and a lineup that's about as "now" as David Villa. Not that Raum are newcomers to the big Sonar party, having taken on the official Sonar last year. It's at this point that anyone not going to Barcelona may feel some disgust rising and when I add that this event is on in a Vélodrome, well that'll just clinch it, what with dance music's long history of glorious cycling related nights and mornings.
Inner city pick: The slightly creepily named Trust Nobody in the Old City is an emporium of fashion, film, and fun.
 Playhouse presents Andy Warhol's Unfinished Symphony at Berghain/Panorama Bar
Friday 20 June, Berlin, Germany
Roman Flugel, Rhadoo, and Benjamin Fehr will be your play hosts for Playhouse at Berlin's grand old lady of nightclubs. Rhadoo of course is one of the three musketeers from Romania, Flugel has been making techno and DJing for as long as anyone who has been going out can remember, and Benjamin Fehr of the football referencing Catenaccio label will not concede many goals. If you're here instead of Sonar you don't deserve any sympathy.
Inner city pick: The Jewish Museum on Lindenstr. 9-14 is an amazing building and a steely experience if you've got an afternoon free.
 John Daly at Bierhaus
 Friday 20 June, Galway, Ireland
You may never have heard of Galway but it's on the west coast of Ireland, and Bierhaus is a sort of institution there, the kind of place you swear to visit some day. John Daly, another guy who's been putting the west of Ireland on the map, makes a trip north to play a gig that's absolutely free. That's right, free! After singles on Wave Music, Plak, and his own Feel label, Daly has won a pretty diverse selection of fans in the world of dance music. With a double-pack on Plak this year he's also got even more to come.
Inner city pick: If you go to this gig you're already at the recommendation, the Bierhaus! It's one of the few pubs in Ireland that isn't owned by a rotund boozy Satan
Rush Hour 10 Years and One More at Club 11
 Sunday 22 June Amsterdam, Holland
Carl Craig and Theo Parrish should ensure that one of Club 11's last ever nights is one to remember. You could hype this gig up but there's not really anything you can say about C2 that hasn't been said a thousand times over the years since he first began making music. He's probably visited Holland more times than your average European drug dealer, but don't think that'll stop people flocking to this. Combined with Theo Parrish and the stalwart presence of Rush Hour, this seems like a once in a lifetime lineup.
Inner city pick: Visit the Yoshiki Matsumoto Gallery at 37 Weteringschans to check out up and coming artists, plenty of whom are Japanese
 Sonar 15 at Row 14
Sunday 22 June Barcelona Spain
Despite having a name that sounds like where you left your car, this night is packed full of acts. Radio Slave and Radioactive Man finally share a bill, which should be an excuse to make a bad joke, or make a good joke while not making a bad one. Efdemin and Ewan Pearson are also on the line-up, not for the first time at a Sonar party you may have noticed. It's possible you're reading this and thinking you'll be at this gig when really you'll be contemplating the point of existence after Friday, Saturday and Sunday are under your belt. Still, this is a new club and the lineup is enough to ensure plenty of unwashed 72 hour partygoers are in attendance.
Inner city pick: Xocoa in the Old City sells numerous chocolate treats, a sort of legal high for sweet-tooths and the recently dumped.
Top photo credit: atzedevrieze
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Published / Tuesday, 17 June 2008
 3 Comments
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