Streaming? Kraftwerk to make their Ibiza debut. UK grassroots venues get new funding.
Netflix for DJs. Beatport has launched a new music subscription service called Beatport LINK. Working like a video subscription service, users pay a monthly fee for the ability to stream Beatport’s entire library — over 7 million songs and curated playlists — directly to their DJ software. Priced at $14.99 per month and developed in collaboration with Pioneer DJ, the beta version of LINK is available now through Pioneer DJ’s WeDJ mobile app, allowing users to make playlists and charts. The rekordbox version will be available later this fall, and the full version will feature an Offline Performance Mode. LINK beta subscribers will also have access Beatport CLOUD beta, which allows users to preview any part of a track, unlimited re-downloads and a new My Library section for $4.99 per month. Reaction has been mixed as how the integration will affect Beatport creators is still unclear, though some producers have voiced their concerns across social media. Find out more here.
WeDJ. In a similar move to Beatport’s LINK, subscribers to SoundCloud Premium also have instant access to the site’s entire 200 million-song catalogue through Pioneer DJ’s WeDJ app. Late last year, SoundCloud launched integration with Serato DJ, but integration with Native Instruments, Virtual DJ, Mixvibes and more are on the horizon. A subscription to SoundCloud Go+ starts at $9.99 a month. More here.
No-phone festival. Scottish two-day festival FLY Open Air festival will be banning phones from its Boiler Room stage this weekend using Yondr. Already popular with comedians and other stage performers, Yondr locks your phone in a special case, which can only be opened once you leave the show, or in this case, stage. A 2018 study by ComRes, commissioned by Eventbrite, found that 70 percent of British club and festival attendees don’t like phone use at events they attend. Perhaps this signals the beginning of phone bans at electronic music events? Time to live in the moment and not the screen? Time will tell. Nina Kraviz, Sven Väth and KiNK will play Fly Open Air. Find out more here.
DDJ-200. Following the announcement for Pioneer’s WeDJ app, the company has launched the DDJ-200: a two-channel controller with two jog wheels, 16 performance pads, faders, basic EQs and a single FX knob that is designed specifically for the WeDJ app for iPhone. It’s the first DJ controller designed specifically for a streaming app, allowing for streaming from Beatport or SoundCloud. The DDJ-200 starts at £139, learn more here.
MicroFreak. Arturia have now released the MicroFreak, a small monophonic and 4-voice paraphonic synthesizer with plenty of features, including 12 oscillators, 5 Arturia engines, and 7 modes from Mutable Instruments, like Wavetable, KarplusStrong, Harmonic OSC, and Superwave. It also has a step sequencer and a mod matrix, and is primarily aimed at generating random patterns for maximum creativity. The MicroFreak starts at $299. Available from all major retailers. Preview the synth below:
Not so privileged. The world’s biggest club, Privilege Ibiza, will be partially closed this summer following a ruling by the San Antonio council. Last year the club had its license suspended after the counsel discovered illegal modifications to its structural elements that were done to increase the venue’s capacity, officially set at 10,000. Luckily for the club, only the smaller Coco Loco and Pyramid rooms will remain closed, while the Main Room and Vista Club will open as normal, so its biggest parties should not be affected. The island has been undergoing numerous crackdowns as of late, including a license suspension for Amnesia before Christmas, which has since been rescinded, and millions in fines have been levied against venues in San Antonio for noise violations since 2017.
Kraftwerk Ibiza. Pioneering German electronic band Kraftwerk will make their Ibiza debut this summer. The iconic group will play their famous 3D show at Ushüaia Ibiza on Friday, 13th September as part of Cocoon Ibiza 20th anniversary celebrations. Cocoon ringleader Sven Väth will also perform, though the rest of the lineup is still under wraps. Watch a short teaser video below.
UK grassroots support. Independent clubs, promoters and live music venues are eligible for £1.5 million in grants from Arts Council England through Supporting Grassroots Live Music. Successful applicants to the fund will be provided between £1000 and £40,000 for three-year projects whose “main function is to host and/or promote live music events in venues… in the grassroots part of this sector.” One of the first winners of the grant was Giant Steps’ live jazz summer series, which aims to bring jazz to new audiences in London. Funds won’t be limited to one genre however and all are encouraged to apply before the deadline on March 31st, 2020. Learn more here.
Carola lawsuit. Italian DJ Marco Carola’s former promoter, It’s All About The Music SL, has filed a lawsuit and is seeking “millions” in damages as well as the seizure of Carola’s assets and the salary he earns from DJing. A lawyer for the promoter told Diario De Ibiza that Carola “has broken the contract he signed with us just like with Amnesia.” The superclub recently won a court ruling to halt Carola from playing anywhere else in Ibiza besides Amnesia, or face a €2.4 million fine. Carola’s Music On residency launched this Thursday at Pacha Ibiza, where he was scheduled to play. Carola will have to appear before a judge in the coming days.