CULTURE ONE COUNTS TO FIVE
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Graeme Park is in the Hacienda for this year's monster mash-up at Bitec
It’s been five years and we haven’t stopped dancing yet. Culture One, Bangkok’s first international outdoor dance music event, is back on November 17 at Bitec, with five stages packed with sensorial delicacies from over 30 artists.
Promising five times the fun, this year’s Culture One offers everything for everyone throughout the five stages in the festival ground. There’s the Bass Stage with wobbly tunes from Overdoser, Bangkok Dub Network, DJ Dragon and others, while trance lovers get to enjoy a long night of psychedelic tunes at Psyhead Community Stage.
There’s a stage for live music, too. The Popscene Stage will belt out live performances by aspiring indie bands from the UK, the US, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand. This year’s biggest headliner, Dash Berlin from the Netherlands, will perform at Godskitchen Boombox alongside Graham Gold (UK), Arctic Moon (Poland) and many other talents.
Clubbers from the 90’s get a rare treat with FAC51 the Hacienda Stage where they can re-live the halcyon “Madchester” days with Hacienda resident DJ Graeme Park, featuring 808 State. Happy Monday’s Rowetta and Bez make a rare appearance in Bangkok as a very special vibe provider.
The Hacienda Stage is also helmed by Timmy Vegas from Soul Central Productions, who worked with Robert Plant and Led Zeppelin as a keyboard and guitar player. The stage will also welcome Singapore’s finest, Andrew Chow and Bangkok’s Sound Element DJs.
Graeme Park reminisces about the 90s mayhem with us.
When was the last time you were in Bangkok?
I played at the fabulous Club Culture back in June 2009. It was superb!
Tell us a bit of how you were involved with Hacienda.
Back in February 1988 I hosted a night with Mike Pickering called “Northern House Review” to promote our labels. When Mike went on holiday in June he asked me to cover his night. I ended up staying for eight years.
It’s been 30 years of Hacienda. What’s your fondest moment from the parties?
The birthdays and New Year’s Eve parties were always special. I still get goose bumps thinking about them.
We’ve heard that even Madonna used to perform there. Who else graced the Hacienda?
The Smiths, the Fall, Cabaret Voltaire, Adamski, to mention a few.
Is Hacienda closed for good now?
The building might have been demolished and the club closed, but the spirit of the Hacienda lives on and always will.
What kind of house music did the DJs play back then at Hacienda?
Anything and everything, but not the cheesy stuff. Lots of acid house, Italo house, Detroit techno, vocal house, garage and more.
How did you guys party back then? What has changed?
We partied like there was no tomorrow and often for days on end. Today people have more choice than ever and there’s always somewhere to go. Back in the day all of the clubs shut at 2am so we had to make our own fun.
What in the scene now do you like and dislike the most?
I like the variety but I hate the fact that so many DJs and producers are lazy and don’t try new things.
What’s your ideal party like?
Loads of friends and loads of smiles and Frankie Knuckles on the decks.
What do you normally pack in your DJ bag?
My Serato box and vinyl discs, two cartridges and two USB sticks just in case.
What should we expect from you and the crew this time around?
Some superb tunes that’ll make you want to throw your hands in the air and leave you with a massive smile on your face. I really can’t wait to party with you all again. I’m so looking forward to returning to Bangkok for some fun.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
Culture One runs from 3pm until late on November 17 at Bitec in Bang Na.
Advance tickets are Bt2,000 (Bt3,000 for) and Bt2,500 (Bt4,000 VIP) on the day.
For more information, see www.Culture-One-BKK.com
