Outtakes
Double the party power One of the best things about clubbing overseas is the popularity of multiple-room events, where night owls can enjoy a range of sounds under one roof.
While local event organisers are often hamstrung by small venues, the idea is starting to catch on in Hong Kong through the creative use of floor space.
The spacious Sugar in Central has always been the perfect candidate for a two-room party, and it will finally live up to its potential this Saturday night at the Gatecrasher Loves Tech and DnB event. As the title suggests, the event will showcase the sounds of techno and drum 'n' bass - two genres with devoted followings in Hong Kong.
Dutch DJ Michel de Hey (right) will headline the techno room, bringing years of his experience as one of the central figures on Rotterdam's club scene. His first release, Break, from 1986, entered Billboard's top 10 dance charts and he has since been repeatedly named the Netherlands' top techno DJ.
Meanwhile, holding court in the drum 'n' bass room will be Calibre, the stage name of prolific Irish artist Dominick Martin. Calibre is known for exploring the deeper side of drum 'n' bass, but he also brings in elements of jazz, funk, dub and techno.
The support DJs in both rooms will explore offshoots of the two genres, so there'll be something for most fans of electronic music. It all starts at 10pm, with advance tickets costing HK$260 (from HMV) or HK$380 at the door.
Licensing fees rile venue owners All owners of clubs, bars, restaurants and even retail outlets that play background music are familiar with minimum annual payments of HK$4,500 per year to Phonographic Performance (Southeast Asia) - also known as PP(SEA)L - to cover copyright fees.
But since major labels EMI, Sony, Universal and Warner broke free last October and established the Hong Kong Recording Industry Alliance, owners have also been forced to pay an additional fee of at least HK$4,000 a year regardless of whether the venues play any of the music the labels represent.
With their copyright fees nearly doubled - for what many see as arbitrary reasons - venue owners are starting to speak out.
Dan Findlay, of music bar Yumla, likens the increased fees to a cover-all charge for internet use. 'I'm going to set up a licensing company which allows you to use the internet if you own a laptop. At home you can do whatever you want, but I own some websites and I'm protecting my copyright just in case you happen to access those sites in a public place.
'It doesn't matter if you actually go to my websites or not, and it doesn't matter if the people standing in the same room as you actually view any of my content ... but my licence will clear you just in case.'
