Getting behind the decks in Pyongyang's music scene
By Brian Offenther |
August 2, 2012, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
I'M heading to Pyongyang!
Yes, in a few weeks, your columnist and moonlighting rock and roll DJ will be the first international DJ to perform in North Korea. The rocking will take place at the Koryo Hotel in Pyongyang.
Originally, there was only one date - August 13, at 8pm. But sometimes, once isn't enough, as due to popular demand, a second date has been added for the following day.
Tickets are 10 euro (US$12.31), but if you mention my DJ name while buying a North Korean tour through Koryo Tours (www.koryotours.com), admission is free.
People have asked me what to expect from the party. And the answer is: I really don't know.
Like most entertainment-based DJ shows (as opposed to a showcase for a producer), it's mostly dictated by the audience - who in this case will mostly be fellow foreign visitors and diplomats.
What music will get them going? How much energy will they have to dance, and for how long?
Also important to any sort of performance is the venue. Over the months, the show has gone from a pool party to a variety of situations that didn't pan out. The one that we've ended up with is a karaoke room that holds about 100 people.
I've brought a variety of wires to be able to plug my DJ equipment into the room's sound system. Will one side of the room be significantly louder than the other? Will the bass get loud enough for people to really feel it in their chest?
Again, to all those questions, I don't really know. And as mentioned, there's not really a precedent for this sort of thing for me to gauge it with.
I've DJed in a variety of peculiar positions in my "career." From the countryside of Mongolia to a skateboard demonstration, each situation has its own difficulties.
As long as people have fun, that's all that really matters.
Yes, in a few weeks, your columnist and moonlighting rock and roll DJ will be the first international DJ to perform in North Korea. The rocking will take place at the Koryo Hotel in Pyongyang.
Originally, there was only one date - August 13, at 8pm. But sometimes, once isn't enough, as due to popular demand, a second date has been added for the following day.
Tickets are 10 euro (US$12.31), but if you mention my DJ name while buying a North Korean tour through Koryo Tours (www.koryotours.com), admission is free.
People have asked me what to expect from the party. And the answer is: I really don't know.
Like most entertainment-based DJ shows (as opposed to a showcase for a producer), it's mostly dictated by the audience - who in this case will mostly be fellow foreign visitors and diplomats.
What music will get them going? How much energy will they have to dance, and for how long?
Also important to any sort of performance is the venue. Over the months, the show has gone from a pool party to a variety of situations that didn't pan out. The one that we've ended up with is a karaoke room that holds about 100 people.
I've brought a variety of wires to be able to plug my DJ equipment into the room's sound system. Will one side of the room be significantly louder than the other? Will the bass get loud enough for people to really feel it in their chest?
Again, to all those questions, I don't really know. And as mentioned, there's not really a precedent for this sort of thing for me to gauge it with.
I've DJed in a variety of peculiar positions in my "career." From the countryside of Mongolia to a skateboard demonstration, each situation has its own difficulties.
As long as people have fun, that's all that really matters.
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