Pete Tong’s DJ diary: Chicago, 10/22/08

Chicago, 10/22/08

“Arrived in Chicago late afternoon, home to Obama fever of course, who looks odds on the country’s next president and the dawning of a new political era.

Obama-town!

First priority was to plug in sound check and look around Spy Bar, a club that is enjoying a purple patch right now.

In the space of a few days they have had or are having Sebastian Ingrosso & Steve Angello, Steve Lawler, Shlomi Aber, Damian Lazarus, James Zabiela and me!

A crowd of Gas Faces

After that it was a dash across town to grab a famous Chi-town hot dog and check into the hotel.

When on tour and travelling by plane there is little time to do anything else but play, move, eat, sleep and take all your clothes off at airport security. My controller is causing some stern and lengthy scrutiny!

The set up

On this tour I’m using Ableton Live and the mighty Korg Zero 8 controller, which lights up at night and looks like you’re inside a cockpit.

It’s a formidable set up which, if prepared in the right way, is a very effective way of performing, although I have to say I’m getting my head round Traktor PRO and will probably bring that into the booth soon as well. 

Spy Bar, Chicago

The club

The club is run by the very accommodating Dino Gardiakos and his crew; he also played before me and got the place in a very hyped state.

It holds around 500 people so it’s pretty intense in there, with no place to hide and excellent sound—a pleasure to perform at.

I travel all over the world and get to play at many of the biggest clubs and festivals but it’s always special to come and play at a small intimate ‘family’ run night; one of the real bonuses of a proper tour is that you can play mid week and stop at little gems like this!

Big tunes in Chicago

‘Trompeta’ Sis (Sei Es Drum)

Forthcoming on Ricardo Villalobos’ label and the secret weapon for the Cocoon gang in Ibiza, this tune is breaking out all over the world and it sounded pretty damn good in the spiritual home of house music.

Daft eccentric and rebel rousing! A good one for election night!

‘Crazi’ Sharam

Was he inspired by some friendly rivalry with his old partner Dubfire, who has been on such a hot streak lately, or has he been hanging out at some dirty arsed techno afterhours?

Either way the Deep Disher presses all the right buttons and makes one hell of a nasty tune. This is top level.

‘True Identity’ Stepenwolf (Refune)

New from Ingrosso’s label this a beautiful thing.

Deep melodic warm tech house with a riff that crawls up one leg, wraps its arms around you and then gets locked inside your head for about a month. Dead catchy! I call it a seducer!

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The Tong Factor/Beatport search for some electronic stars of the future continued and Spy Bar set a new record - just 20 seconds inside the door and the CDs started coming.

Off to Montreal now for Tribe but I’ll be checking them out on the way!

Pete“