Eight days to go until the Bootek tour event in Shibuya, and the Full Circle DJs have announced the line up for the second ‘Hardcore’ floor. I already thought that the line up was the right side of excellent, but now I know that Buzzmasta and DJ Yousuke will be joined by Asshi, M-Project, and Cogi (amongst others). I’m still hoping to catch Nish’s set if possible, and Guld is playing on the main floor too….there aren’t many events where you have that kind of problem though, so should be thankful, I suppose.

I must have been looking forward to the Bootek event so much that this completely passed me by – but next week sees ATOM hosting the next of the Dance or Die vs Hell’s Gate events. Happily I’m on semi-summer holiday from the end of next week, and so the midnight on Thursday (!) start time doesn’t worry me too much. It’d definitely be nice to catch some of the Hell’s crew before the next event at Studio Cube, too. Not too sure about the other DJs, but Zio will be playing a Tech Dance/NRG set…sounds good.

Dance or Die vs HELL’s GATE ＠ATOM
OPEN 24:00

Dance or Die DJ:
OZAWA
TOMOYUKI

HELLS GATE DJ:
YOSHIMASA
ZIO
A2C
MKT
AYAKO

The next Hell’s Gate isn’t far away at all, and the line up this time around is fantastic – joining regular/organiser Zio is DJ Chucky, making a guest appearance alongside Konny MC – a hint that things are darker/harder than ever for this one (the flyer design gives that impression too, for some reason).

DJ KA->NA is also returning from an epic break, prior to her set at August’s Energy Cocktail, and I’d really like to hear what kind of set she comes up with this time.

All being well, I should be able to make it, but there’s a chance that I’ll be otherwise engaged….After narrowly missing out on the last event, though, it would be great to show some support and wander along if at all possible. We’ll see…

Behold – a Hardcore Tano*C event that I’m actually really keen to attend. Sadly, it’s another of those 1pm starts, meaning that I can’t make it – but squint at the really lovely poster art (definitely my favourite flyer for a long while) and you’ll notice the lineup. Thanatos, Betwixt & Between, Alabaster…all of the regulars are present, but my eye was caught this time by umbrella’s name down there at the bottom – his tracks are always enjoyable semi-freeform, and I’d really like to see what kind of set he’ll come up with. Alas, it’s not to be, at least this time.

Incidentally, this event is held on the 14th (a week Saturday), which those of a sharp memory will recall is also the date of the next NRGetic Romancer. Betwixt & Between will therefore be playing at two very different events in one day – the first in Nakano, the second in Tamachi. Rather him than us, eh?

And yet! Betwixt is repeating the trick the following weekend, playing at an as-yet undisclosed event around lunchtime, and then returning to Heavy Sick (Nakano) for Tokyo Hardcore Construction, beginning at the traditional raving hour of 4pm. THC definitely leans towards the harder side of things, with Lunch, Horny and Technetium (among others) playing this time. However, I’ll be wheezing around a football pitch that Sunday, and so won’t be able to make it (although I suspect that I’ll wish that I had, once the match is underway).

No pictures at the moment, sorry to say (actually, if I wasn’t a lazy good-for-nothing, I could have taken some myself), but let’s press on anyway. This event had Shibuya’s DESEO absolutely packed, partly due to the whole-new-CD-release aspect, but also the variety of DJs performing. It was actually quite entertaining to see all the different kind of ravers gathered together in one small space (rather uncomfortably, it has to be said) – from the NRGetic Romancer crew who’d turned up for Betwixt & Between’s set, to the overwhelming mass of otaku-tinged Sharpnel/Shimamura etc fans, and the speedcore/Akira Death nutcases. Guld himself made an appearance too, only to dash for the exit as soon as Betwixt had finished.

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I heard a little while ago that Kevin Energy might be on his way to Tokyo, although I couldn’t imagine him playing a set at NRGetic Romancer. As it turns out, he’ll be joining Tekka, DJ Champ, T-Energy and KA->NA at DESEO’s Energy Cocktail (which isn’t the most spectacular event name I’ve ever heard, to be honest).

Anyway, Champ’s sets are always worth catching, and Kevin is bound to play some gems in amongst the, ah, slightly more generic UK stuff, but the highlight for me will be the chance to hear KA->NA play again, who hasn’t been very active at all of late.

It’s still a long way away though, and the main reason for posting this up was the just-released flyer design, featuring a surreal-yet-cool London/Tokyo hybrid scene.