On the 24th of March, Ballantine’s Scotch Whisky and Boiler Room once again put their heads together to showcase the talent of a burgeoning house scene. Having taken to the streets of cities around the world, from Santiago and Recife to Warsaw and Johannesburg, this latest event touched down in South Africa once more to throw a party in Cape Town like no other…
The continent-hopping Stay True Journey series has unearthed stellar DJs, local to each stop and thrust them onto a worldwide stage. Stay True line ups feature a mixture of huge international names alongside home grown talent who embody the scene on show. Artists who have got to where they are because of their passion and conviction to pushing their respective sounds and scenes forward.
The venue was a large warehouse nestled within the vast township of Langa, just outside of Cape Town. Where Cape Town is imbued with an almost European feel, Langa is quintessentially South African right down to its core. It was fitting, then, that the township’s very own DJ Fosta kicked of proceedings with a lively set. Swamped by local (most of whom knew him personal), he paved the way for compatriots Kid Fonque and Jullian Gomes to go back to back for the second set of the night. Although it was only two men manning the decks, the synergy between them and the crowd was as seamless as it was palpable.
Johannesburg’s own Jazzuelle was the last to spin in the name of SA and he carried the torch with insane finesse. With his nigh-encyclopaedic knowledge of South African music, he bounced and then eased between selections as a true master would.
The night was popping by this point and limbs were fully limbered by the Ballantine’s whisky behind the bar. The looming presence of Fred P presided over the turntables and the showcase continued. The New York veteran effortlessly swung between tempos and the mood of the place was teetering on the mercy of his fingers. Spirit levels in Langa were fast approaching fever pitch – on the dance floor and in the glass.
Move D slipped into command with aplomb and didn’t so much raise the roof as he removed it completely and sent the party goers of Langa into the stratosphere. Part mad professor, part sonic star-gazer, the Berlin favourite took the eruption caused by the night’s previous selectors and harnessed the energy majestically – a true genius.
Henrik Schwarz, a man who needs no introduction, needed no time to attune himself to his compatriot’s vibe. The man absolutely smashed it. It was all he could do to prize himself away from the decks due to the crowd’s insistence that he not end; that he never end. The house lights flickered on and the speakers died down, but still the people chanted, “More music!” Magical scenes.
Stay tuned to boilerroom.tv/staytrue with all the sets from the night dropping over the next week.
