Minimal star Ricardo Villalobos is spinning a party for US troops in the Green Zone later this month.

The booking will come as a shock to Villalobos watchers as the German DJ is well known for his anti-US stance. For several years, he has boycotted playing in the United States as a form of protest against the Bush administration.

“I haven’t had a change of heart,” Villalobos told RA. "I've still got a beef with Bush and Cheney personally. But I realize now I shouldn’t hold average people responsible for their government’s foreign policy. The soldiers over there are just doing their job. And after all, at the afterhours we’re all on the same side anyway.”

The party is organized by First Lieutenant April Cohn, a former techno promoter from New York, who explains she had been trying to convince Villalobos to play in America for many years. “When our unit goes out on patrol, I like to pipe Fabric 36 through everyone’s intercom helmets,” chuckles Cohn. “I’ve even managed to turn on some of the hip-hop guys to Ricardo’s sound.”

Dubbed ‘Dance for Iraq’, the set will take place in one of Saddam’s disused ballrooms in the Green Zone on April 31st. Support for the gig comes from enlisted soldiers Private Clement Rivers and Staff Sergeant James T. Nelson, both DJs from the Detroit area.

Villalobos follows in the footsteps of other celebrities such as Toby Keith and Papa Roach, who have entertained US troops in Iraq.

Apr 31 Dance for Iraq, Muqtal Ballroom, Green Zone, Baghdad 111 Comments