I was out of town the first time Boys Noize performed in Hong Kong. To this very day people are still talking about his set… and that was three years ago!

Well, Boys Noize is finally back on Saturday, October 22nd at Volar. The superstar electronic music producer and DJ is known for his high-energy sets that feature live remixes of his many dancefloor hits. This isn’t going to be a boring show.

For more info, check out Boys Noize official site, or our previous post about him.

Highly recommended!

Boys Noize
Saturday, October 22nd, 2011
Volar
34-38 D’Aguilar Street (Lan Kwai Fong)
Central, Hong Kong

$400 HKD includes two drinks, free for Volar members

The last time dj / producer Diplo came to Hong Kong, it was while he was touring under his Major Lazer side-project. That legendary performance, which took place last July, peaked when his hypeman Skerrit Bwoy climbed the water pipes on the ceiling of Volar and dangled upside down, driving the crowd insane.

If Diplo’s previous performances are any indication, his set on Friday June 10th, should be filled with innovative dance beats and a worshiping crowd.

Still not convinced? Have a look back at a 2009 show at Dragon-i that had Diplo playing alongside Steve Aoki!

Recommended!

Diplo – South East Asia Tour
Friday, June 10th, 2011
Volar
Basement, 38-44 D’Aguilar Street
Lan Kwai Fong
Central, Hong Kong

Free for members, $400 HKD cover includes two drinks.

Friday, November 19th, England’s multi-talented Boy 8-Bit is hitting Volar. Though not yet a household name, this guy has produced some incredible songs and remixes.

Boy 8-Bit is known not just for heavy beats, but also for his complex musical arrangements. He produces songs that are as melodic, as they are dance-floor friendly. Check out a few of his remixes!

Santogold – Shove It remix

South Rakkas Crew – Mad Again remix

Recommended!

Boy 8-Bit
November 19th, 2010
Volar
Basement, 38-44 D’Aguilar Street
Lan Kwai Fong
Central, Hong Kong

$350 includes two drinks

What if you could be transported to an underground club in Buenos Aires just for the night? On Friday, November 5th, you can have the next best thing, as D.J.s ORO11 and Disco Shawn seize control of the turntables at Volar!

The duo, based in Los Angeles and San Francisco, are behind the Bursa Discos record label that has helped bring the new electronic sounds of Latin America to dance floors around the globe.

Back in the U.S., D.J.s Oro11 and Disco Shawn preside over the popular Tormenta Tropical parties in San Francisco and L.A., championing a mixture of new dance music including the Cumbia collages they became acquainted with during stints in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

We’ve had some exposure to electronic Cumbia music before, via Township Funk at Yumla in 2009. The niche genre mixes traditional instruments and singing with bits and pieces pulled from other types of contemporary dance music. Check out the video below for a taste of a Tormenta Tropical session:

If you want to hear what’s happening on smart dance floors on the other side of the world, Hype Nasty X Tormenta Tropical is worth attending. The night is co-hosted by the Hype Nasty crew including Kid Fresh, Enso and Yao.

Hype Nasty X Tormenta Tropical featuring D.J. ORO11 and Disco Shawn
Friday, November 5th, 2010
Volar
Basement 38-44 D’Aguilar Street
Lan Kwai Fong
Central, Hong Kong
Free for members, $350 for non-members, includes two drinks

If you didn’t catch 2manydjs perform in Macau at the beginning of the year, you now have a chance to redeem yourself! The Belgian duo will be hitting Volar, this Saturday, October 9th, 2010. Made up of brothers Stephen and David Dewaele, the two play their own unique remixes of great dance songs, whipping the crowd into a frenzy by weaving Rock, Club, Indie, and 80′s music into exciting sets. But that’s just one part of their show!

There’s another element to their live show that takes things over the top. 2manydjs have not only remixed songs, but have also created custom animated visuals that work with the music and (often) drive the crowd insane. Attending their live show is a unique musical experience.

2manydjs are first and foremost music lovers and their sincere adoration and appreciation comes across in their creative sets. Listening to them play, you know that the Dewaele brothers were the kind of kids who saved up all of their money just to buy records.

From left, David and Stephen Dewaele

Watching 2manydjs perform, their passion is contagious and it makes for an exciting and unforgettable show.

Highly recommended!

The scene in Macau earlier this year when 2manydjs performed

2manydjs
Saturday, October 9th, 2010
Volar
Basement, 38-44 D’Aguilar Street (Lan Kwai Fong)
Central, Hong Kong

Cover charge of $350 includes two drinks

This Friday, September 10th, Hype Nasty presents Nick Catchdubs kicking off the start of his Asia tour. Nick Catchdubs is an international d.j., remixer, and co-founder of the highly acclaimed Fool’s Gold record label. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Fool’s Gold has established itself as an indie dance music powerhouse, releasing tracks by names like: Kid Cudi, Sinden, Laidback Luke, Crookers, LA Riots, Kid Sister and Chromeo, to name just a few.

For once Hong Kong is at the start of a tour, rather than at the very end! Fans of new-school indie dance music should turn up at Volar in full force.

Nick Catchdubs
supported by DJ Kid Fresh and Enso
Friday, September 10th, 2010
Volar
Basement, 38-55 D’Aguilar Street
Lan Kwai Fong
Central, Hong Kong

Non-members $300 HKD cover (includes two drinks,) members free entry

Consider yourself warned! Thursday, July 1st, Volar will host Major Lazer, the biggest thing in underground dance music.

This is the group behind ‘Pon De Floor,’ a wildly popular dance track that erupts in multiple crescendos, driving dancefloors berserk.

But who exactly is Major Lazer?

Major Lazer is actually a super-group composed of two influential dance music producers, Diplo and Switch. Though you might not be familiar with their names, the two have shaped contemporary music enormously, influencing everyone from M.I.A. to the Black Eyed Peas.

Here’s Diplo throwing down with Steve Aoki looking on.

Diplo and Switch decided to collaborate around a theme and created a fictional character named Major Lazer, a Jamaican commando who battles the undead. The album, titled “Guns Don’t Kill People… Lazers Do,” was influenced by dancehall music, an offshoot of Jamaican Reggae. Although the songs were recorded in Jamaica and feature vocals from big names in contemporary dancehall music, the album itself is a fantastic cultural jumble of different influences.

The appeal of Major Lazer’s sound is widespread. Boy George even played ‘Pon De Floor’ at prime time during his recent gig in Hong Kong (the crowd went crazy).

Also part of the Major Lazer show on Thursday is Skerrit Bwoy. Easy to spot with his yellow Mohawk, the Bronx-based dancehall selector and personality is sort of a Flavor-Flav style hype-man for the group.

Among his other talents, Skerrit Bwoy is a master at ‘daggering’, a creative, comical, over-the-top performance of simulated sex. Hong Kong, this is going to be one interesting night!

For a taste of Major Lazer’s sound and a good definition of daggering, have a look at the video for ‘Pon De Floor’.

Check out Diplo and Skerrit Bwoy performing live at a BestBuy store below (I don’t think they will be invited back again.)

Highly recommended!
 
MAJOR LAZER featuring Diplo and Skerrit Bwoy
Thursday, July 1st, 2010
Volar
Basement, 38-44 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong
Central, Hong Kong
Free for members, $300 HKD cover for non-members (includes two drinks!)

He’s back! Steve Aoki, the stage-diving, crowd-surfing rockstar d.j. is hitting Volar on Thursday, May 6th. Expect packed bodies, fast-paced music and some aerial antics from the Dim Mak label owner.

We’ve caught Steve in the act several times before, most recently at Dragon-i in 2009, when he made an appearance alongside Diplo.

Steve also headlined the massive Adidas 60th anniversary bash out in Aberdeen a few years back.

Expect another wild night at Volar!

Steve Aoki Asia Tour
Volar
Basement, 38-44 D’Aguliar Street
Lan Kwai Fong
Central, Hong Kong

Free entry for Volar members, cover charge for non-members

If you’ve been hibernating over the Chinese New Year holiday, you now have a good reason to venture out of your cave.

D.J. Rafik grew up surrounded by classical music, but at some point, he put down his cello and decided to take up the turntables as his instrument of choice. Six awards later, Rafik is a major D.M.C. champion, and has d.j.ed around the world alongside big names in dance music.

But does his background in classical music influence his d.j. sets?

This Friday Rafik headlines Hype Nasty, Volar’s night of underground electronic dance music featuring rising stars from the international club circuit. The night is curated by the able d.j.s, Kid Fresh and Enso, the duo behind the Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy series.

DJ Rafik was selected as the headliner for Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy’s one-year anniversary last Summer.

Friday will see Rafik and Kid Fresh reunited on four turntables for an extravagant mix of music.

If you’ve been looking to rejoin civilization again and shake off the Chinese New Year lull, Friday’s event should provide an ample soundtrack.

Hype Nasty featuring DJ Rafik vs. Kid Fresh
Volar
Basement, 38-44 D’Aguilar Street
Lan Kwai Fong
Central, Hong Kong

Free for members, $300 HKD for non-members includes two drinks

German group Digitalism are playing at Volar on Thursday night in celebration of the club’s fifth anniversary. The duo are known for creating catchy songs with dirty, warm synthesizers and distorted melodies.

One of the major artists on the Kitsune record label, Digitalism’s songs often build into dramatic climaxes that cause dance floor eruptions!

The event is members only until midnight. After twelve, the cover charge is $250 HKD and includes two drinks. For fans of new dance music and Electro, this is a very promising night. Digitalism were pioneers of a sound that has since been emulated by dozens of other artists.

Check out their hit song Zdarlight below. (Fast forward to 46 seconds in!)

Digitalism are a perfect choice to celebrate Volar’s anniversary. The club has been a major supporter of new dance music since it opened. Over the last five years Volar has hosted many of the biggest names from leading independent labels such as Kitsune, Modular, and Ed Banger.

Best wishes on your anniversary Volar! Here’s to another year of great music!

Check out photos from previous anniversaries here and here.

Digitalism D.J. set
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
Volar’s 5th Anniversary
Volar
Basement, 38-44 D’Aguilar Street
Lan Kwai Fong
Central, Hong Kong

Free for members, $250 HKD for non-members, includes two drinks (open for non-members only after midnight)