Former Ministry of Sound resident Mark Knight gives RA the lowdown on what to expect at the Global Breakthrough tour this month. Knight plays the Renaissance and Toolroom party in the first week of the tour.

Knight spun at the first Global Breakthrough mini-tour in 2006, and he's been looking forward to getting back to Cape Town for a while now. "It's always nice to return somewhere with warm weather and stunning scenery, " says Knight. "Also the people there are very friendly and make you feel very welcome. That always makes the difference to a trip." The first tour was noted for its impromptu villa afterparties, but does he recommend a spot to wind down? "The beach is always a good place to chill out and maybe eventually get some sleep," he advises, "But you might want to think twice before running into the water. A dip in the sea is not recommended! It's sooo cold!"

If you're heading to Cape Town and Global Breakthrough for the first time, Knight suggests packing, "Sunglasses for the morning after, camera to get some pics of Table Mountain and the awesome views, and spare sunglasses to replace the ones you leave at the beach - well, that's me anyway!"

The tour has lined up some unusual locations, but Knight is no stranger to out-of-the-way venues. He once spun in a control tower on a (closed) airport runway in Brazil, and at this year's Global Breakthrough, he'll spin in the cellar of a wine estate. So does he enjoy a nice drop of red or white? "I'm always rocking the 'Blue Nun'. I always make sure it's on my rider."

Mark Knight used to be a resident at Ministry of Sound in London, but these days he DJs more outside of the capital, as well as heading up Toolroom Records. Besides Toolroom he's also released on labels Defected, Little Mountain and CR2 with his tracks receiving support from the likes of Pete Tong and Sander Kleinenberg. Next up for Knight is a collaboration with Bodyrox remix champ D.Ramirez called 'Columbian Soul'. For a taste of what Mark Knight has up his sleeve for South Africa, check out his top ten of 2006:

1. X-Press 2 - Kill 100 (Carl Craig Remix) [Skint]
2. Booka Shade – Trespass01 [Get Physical]
3. Mark Knight – Susan [Toolroom Trax]
4. Dave Spoon – At Night [Toolroom Trax]
5. Dave Robertson & Jon Gurd – Another T [CDR]
6. Alex Whizz – Drummin’ [Manga Records]
7. Nic Fanciulli – Lucky Heather [Renaissance]
8. Mark Knight – Drug Music [Toolroom Trax]
9. Steve Angello & Sebastian Ingrosso – Click [Size]
10. MT & Lucien Foort – Bassification [Toolroom Trax]

RA is an official Global Breakthrough media partner. Check RA's event details for the full party schedule and line-ups.

Mark Knight plays the Global Breakthrough Renaissance & Toolroom party at Bloemendal Wine Estate in Cape Town on February 23, 2007. Post a comment