BASEMENT: Rødhåd / Kangding Ray / Akua
STUDIO: Andrew James Gustav / Gio Shengelia
Dystopian founder Rødhåd is one of Berlin’s quintessential masters of heaving European techno. A veteran of the dark arts, he helped to define the sound that would make his city the undisputed global center for electronic music in the 21st century. Now a world-renowned artist whose accolades are as plentiful as they are well-deserved, Rødhåd continues to stay rooted to his core philosophy while maintaining open ears and an exploratory mind. His mixes throb with undeniable groove, never overplaying their hand while pushing the dancers with gripping immediacy. Kangding Ray is one of techno’s most celebrated experimentalists. His impeccable sound design and conceptual rigor sets his releases apart, connecting the cerebral with the physical. Releases for acclaimed labels such as Stroboscopic Artefacts and Raster-Noton are some of the finest examples of techno-as-art, while his recent album “ULTRACHROMA” on his own ara (13) shows an artist in irrepressible, constant evolution. Akua will be familiar, notorious even, to BASEMENT regulars and anyone who’s been following NY music for the last half-decade. A standout artist, she brings classic machine funk techno into the 21st century. Defiant, bold and searing, Akua’s sets eviscerate the dancefloor.
STUDIO takes things in a looser direction: Marginal Returns founder Andrew James Gustav is a favorite for those who know. His trademark is dank, tough minimal-inflected house and techno with just enough atmosphere and mood, served fresh with a hint of danger. Well-trained in the art of the afters, he’ll have no issues taking STUDIO past sunrise. Georgian DJ and producer Gio Shengelia has similarly developed a cult following for his longform sets and open, refreshing sound with a gritty underbelly. A consistent figure in the Tbilisi scene, his Boiler Room x Bassiani is a testament to the power of raucous lushness and ethereal bass weight.
■ No photos or videos
■ No phone use on the dancefloor
■ The dance floor is for dancing, not conversation
■ No glowing/flashing clothes or items
■ Respect other people's space, no shuffling
■ Consent is mandatory
■ Zero tolerance for racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, ableism or any form of discrimination
■ Take care of each other, alert our staff if somebody isn't feeling well
■ Violating the house rules will result in removal
■ Ticket purchase does not guarantee entrance