Posts of ELECTRONIC BEATS
Design Hotels Summer Roadtrip Series: 24 Hours in Hamburg
After living in Berlin for 2 months it was time for me to pack my bags and hit the road for the first stop on my Design Hotels Summer Road Trip. My destination - HAMBURG.
Not knowing much about the city besides the fact that it is known for its shipping hookers and that it is often called the “most charming city” in Germany by many friends, I boarded the ICE with an open mind and arrived in Hamburg Hbf an hour and a half later.
First stop, my hotel, The George. The hotel is stunning. Perched on a quiet street within walking distance, albeit a moderately lengthy one, to the Hbf and the idyllic Alster Lake and situated in trendy St. Georg. The hotel staff is good looking as the impeccable design. The hotel doesn’t leave anything out. From a rooftop terrace with Italian Antipasti from the culinarily sound restaurant Da Caio to a zen worthy spa, lake views, stocked bar, smoking room, and multiple gardens. The room was quite a treat as well with a huge bed, monogrammed towels and pink and black geometric wall paper fit for a design queen. And that’s what I was.
My recommendations:
BAR - Le Lion - situated in a private location hard to spot from the street, Le Lion is an insiders place. Sociable yet private, the bar serves up a SERIOUS cocktail, and the knowledgable staff, especially Mario, will teach you a history lesson about the bar scene that you will never forget. Not to mention the strong and precise cocktails they serve up to the trendy crowd.
PEOPLE WATCHING - Lake Alster
CLUBBING - UpperEast at the East Hotel - another design hotel masterpiece. this is the center of the red light district and has a Gaudi inspired feel. The crowd is sexy and the scene is perfect for a night on the town. Good DJS and a spectacular light scheme will keep you grooving the night away. ( I am sure the rooms live up to the sex appeal throughout the club.
ADULT ACTIVITIES - Dollhouse - good looking girls and guys entertain the guests at this Hamburg Must.
AFTER PARTY - FischMarkt - early risers and late night partiers come together in this large Hall in the shipping center of the city. Continue your party here with 2 live bands, German beer, and hangover food. Or go outside to the street market and buy fresh fish, fruit and other knickknacks.
Video to follow soon, along with more destinations along the Design Hotels Summer Roadtrip!
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Electronic Beats Festival Series Gets Underway in Graz and Cologne
It was an exciting week of Electronic Beats live events as the launch of the 2009 series of festivals kicked-off at the end of May in Austria and Germany. With two dynamic line-ups, sold-out events and thousands of eager fans, it was a week of stellar live music to say the least. The picturesque Austrian city of Graz was the first destination as the Electronic Beats Festival hosted the opening night of the spingnine Festival on May 20th with an amazing line-up that included Gossip, Fever Ray, Bodi Bill and up-and-coming acts Dorian Concept and Fiago. This was the fourth year Electronic Beats was apart of Central Europe’s most important electronic music festival and the second year for providing the opening night show.
The unmistakable Beth Ditto needed no introduction for her band Gossip and the crowds were on their feet as she launched into ‘Pop Goes the World’ to begin their powerful set. Her tight dress and raunchy banter with the crowd set the mood for an exciting show that finished with hit single ‘Standing in the Way of Control.’ Rounding out the night, Fever Ray took the stage dressed in costumes and using green lasers to create a mystical effect for their experimental music. This is the first tour in support of their recently released album.
“We have a show concept that we change as we go along. Tonight’s show will be different than our last show,” explained Fever Ray’s Karin Dreijer Anderson before their performance. “Being on tour is like a social experiment – travelling around with people and then playing music. It’s been fun!” After a successful event in Graz and an amazing night’s stay at the Hotel Augarten, we moved on to Germany for the next Electronic Beats Festival in Cologne on May 23rd at E-Werk. With a line-up that included Phoenix, Gossip, Simian Mobile Disco, Fever Ray, Junior Boys and Filthy Dukes, it is no wonder the tickets sold out early.
In the Cologne Festival comments were heard including, “Phoenix were my personal highlight during the night, a really great live act, who once more proved their qualities here tonight,” “What can I say? A crazy line-up, that already in advance promised an awesome night.” Not everyone was lucky enough to attend these memorable live music events but highlights of the performances along with exclusive backstage access and interviews with the artists are now up on EB TV at www.electronicbeats.net.
Back home for now and looking forward to the Electronic Beats Classics event with Donna Summer on July 30th at Admiralspalast in Berlin.
– DJs DSB (Dirt/London) and CDB (EB/Berlin)
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DESTINATION: INNSBRUCK
Modeselektor and James Yuill Kick-Off Electronic Beats 2009 Live Events
Descending into the depths of Tyrol, it seemed one false move from the pilot and we would get an uncomfortably close look at the Austrian mountainsides. But alas, we landed without even a bump.
Touching down in Innsbruck, we were immediately plunged into a winter wonderland. With its fairy-tale hybrid of Gothic and Baroque architecture and surrounded by the snow-tipped Alps, Innsbruck was the destination for the first Electronic Beats Live Event in 2009 on January 29th.
We were stoked to be apart of it and planned smashing DJ sets to warm up the crowds before James Yuill, headliner Modeselektor and then again to finish off the night.
The Stadtcafe in the heart of the picturesque Old Town provided the perfect location for the vibrant crowd. It was an international mix of people thanks to it being on the eve of the Billabong Air and Style Show that would be taking over the town for the weekend.
After we got the beats going and the crowds on their feet, emerging star, James Yuill took the stage with his unique blend of acoustic, folk and electronic sounds. This was the first time James had been to Innsbruck and he was looking forward to performing to a new audience.
The room was electric and everyone was ready for more by the time Modeselektor stepped on stage with matching T-shirts displaying their iconic ape image. As they launched into an energetic hour and a half set of favourites from their previous albums, the room was pulsating and the fans completely in awe.
Highlights of the Live Special in Innsbruck can be viewed on EB TV along with a special behind-the-scenes feature on Modeselektor including exclusive footage and interviews. Electronic Beats will be announcing the next live music events soon so stay tuned to the website for more news.
That’s all from us. Back on the plane and back to Berlin for now.
– DJs DSB (Dirt/London) and CDB (EB/Berlin)
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