Dubfire closes Sonar 2008

Dubfire closes Sonar 2008

23 June, 2008 | 12.46PM

• Section: Music News Topics: Industry Boy Blog, Sonar 2008
• Written by: Industry Boy

We thought as the perfect wrap up to Sonar 2008 we’d do an exposé on US DJ and producer Dubfire, who closed out one of big stages at Sonar By Night on Saturday.

Dubfire is something of a controversial artist (just check out the incendiary user comments on this recent Dubfire post), having made the transition from his progressive house days with Deep Dish, to producing underground techno and minimal for labels such as Minus and Desolat.

Many people have criticised Dubfire for making the move into techno—some even believe he only did it because the music is in vogue—but the organisers of Sonar clearly disagree, otherwise they wouldn’t have booked Dubfire for a two-hour headlining slot.

Out of all the large-scale electronic music events in the world, Sonar is probably the most cutting-edge, so the last thing the organisers would do is sponsor an artist who has no credibility.

Beatportal meets Dubfire at his hotel in Barcelona prior to his set, and he seems slightly busy.

In between necking a shot of Jaegermeister and speaking to his tour manager and booking agent, he’s listening to some music on his laptop through headphones.

“I’m just listening to a new remix of a Steve Mac track that I have just signed,” says Dubfire.

“You know there are lots of people trying to get into techno currently and that’s cool but there’s a lot of guys moving in the same direction.”

It’s surprising to hear Dubfire speaking about artists who change their sound, especially considering he just recently made the transition himself.

“But for me, it was not so much discovering as rediscovering,” he answers.

“I went full circle, back to my early techno roots, whilst at the moment techno, minimal and deep house is very fashionable and more and more artists seem to be moving in that direction.”

Deep Dish’s early work certainly had some roots in the underground - if you listen to the duo’s edit of Whatever Girl’s ’ Activator You Need Some‘ it could fit perfectly into a chunky tech house set today.

“Yeah that’s a really old track,” says Dubfire with a chuckle.

“Have you heard the new Marco Corola remix of that?” he asks.

“We want to release it and Marco said if we can clear the vocal sample it’s ours.”

Whilst Dubfire speaks to us he’s constantly interrupted by those around him - his booking agent, his tour manager, friends and industry people.

“The entourage,” he says with a grin. “It soon grows.”

Indeed, a few minutes later we all try to pile into the minivan that Sonar has sent to drive Dubfire to Sonar By Night, but soon realise we can’t all fit in.

In the end, the Dubfire entourage takes up one minivan and two cabs - not bad.

When we arrive at Sonar By Night, Dubfire rushes off whilst his tour manager and some technicians set up his equipment.

About 20 minutes later, he takes his place behind the CDJs on an open-air stage that is dwarfed by the crowd in front of it.

With around 5000 people gathered in front of him, the arena looks spectacular and the decks looks mightily small.

Dubfire begins his set with a beat-less intro of air sirens and white noise that bleeps and fizzles away in a sea of minimalism.

For about four minutes there is no fanfare, but the music sets the mood perfectly for Dubfire’s next track; when the beat comes in, it’s a driving minimal techno track that glitters with high frequency percussive hits.

The crowd rises to the occasion and their whistles and shouts become increasingly intense.

For about half and hour, Dubfire works the techno angle, dropping loops and build ups and often playing three virtual Traktor decks at once.

Then he plays a Smith & Selway mix of Kevin Sauderson‘s 1996 house anthem ‘Rock To The Beat’ which still has the recognisable vocal, but builds up like Smith & Selway’s recent ’Total Departure‘.

The crowd responds with an increased enthusiasm.

Dubfire dances behind the booth, swigging from drinks and smiling like he’s really enjoying himself.

“It’s so much fun playing music for these people,” he says, indicating the thousands of Sonar attendees before him.

“These are music people and tonight I’m playing for myself,” says Dubfire before turning back towards the CDJs to finish off his set.

After he finishes playing at 5 AM, the entourage all piles back into the minivan again with Dubfire leading the charge.

“Come on, let’s go say hi to Ricardo,” he says, meaning Villalobos.

We pull up backstage of an arena that Ricardo Villalobos is closing, and Dubfire rushes up towards the DJ booth to pay his respects.

For once, it is Dubfire himself and not his entourage that can be seen crouching in the shadows, in awe of a superstar.

Video: Dubfire closes Sonar

• (7) Comments
• (2119) Views
• Check out Dubfire on Beatport