Paul Van Dyk has just been voted the fourth-best DJ on the planet, but if a poll was held in Hong Kong the Berlin trance master would likely rank No 1. For his fourth visit in as many years Van Dyk (right) can expect thousands of clubbers to turn out at Hitec tomorrow. But the star is keen to stress that the love affair is mutual.
'I love coming to Hong Kong. It's very exciting,' effuses the DJ. 'Every time I go to Asia I insist on playing Hong Kong - other cities in the region get upset because I have to miss some of them out.'
Van Dyk, who was voted fourth-best by the readers of DJ magazine for the second year running, says he likes the scene better each time he visits. 'The first time I came to Hong Kong I didn't like it, but the last two times were amazing. The people are open-minded and enjoy electronic music. When I DJ there, I feel that I'm getting connected with this different culture,' he says.
Van Dyk, who hit the big-time with For An Angel in 1994 and whose trademark is the drifting of heavenly keyboards over a throbbing bass line, has had a busy year. He is writing the score for a futuristic Mexican movie and his mix CD Politics was released last week. He hasn't compiled a mix CD for eight years, but says he decided to do Politics because it is a conceptual project which involved him remixing and reproducing all the tracks.
'I don't like DJ mixes,' he says. 'For me DJing has a lot to do with interacting with the crowd. I don't think someone can get the vibe on a CD. But this album is different because it combines all the elements of my work, DJing, producing and remixing.' Van Dyk says he's looking forward to reuniting with Sander Kleinenberg at Hitec after they played together in Berlin last month. Kleinenberg ranked 15th in the DJ list, rocketing up from 82nd last year. As for future names set for such heights, Van Dyk says to watch out for Miami's Edgar V. Support at the event comes from Joel Lai, Simon Blackjack, Tszpun, Sunn and Toby.
Paul Van Dyk and Sander Kleinenberg: Tomorrow, 10pm-6am, Hitec, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay. Tickets: $430 from HMV stores. Door tickets available for $500 until 3am from Works Records, Hankow Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.