Grin and tonic

Mr Mr and Raxon steal the show at audio tonic’s 4th birthday bash.

It was smiles all round for the audio tonic crew as they fi ttingly celebrated their fourth birthday with a residents only bash.

CLUB NIGHT LONGEVITY in Dubai is like Tiesto's credibility. Virtually impossible. Clubs open and close with alarming regularity, and nights that reach the 365 day milestone are considered clubbing denizens, treated with the same doe-eyed reverence Japanese people give their elderly. So, what’s the secret to audio tonic’s long-life? Is it the music? Is it the venue? Is it the crowd? Is it the location? Appropriately enough, all four factors have combined for their fourth birthday, making it one of the most - no, the most - consistent night in Dubai. Led by long-time Dubai resident, and smooth-voiced radio DJ Mike Bufton AKA Mr Mr, he’s helped on the way by the following coterie of residents: Raxon (fast-learning tech-house producer), Vas Floyd (Chart topping Deep House producer), Julian Jinx (sunset specialist) and Michael Daniel (Mr Versatile). Together they each bring us their own unique sound, from deep house laced with disco to progressive house and techno. And,importantly, they know what the crowd wants to hear and when they want to hear it. The sound erupting from the Funktion 1 speakers has also matured over the years. Early guests included Chris Lake and Seb Leger, who were pushing their own brand of electro, but in the last few years the night has successfully mined its own seam of deep, groove-laden deep and tech house. Rarely will the Dubai crowd recognise a tune, but in the overly commercial confi nes of the city, that’s most defi nitely an advantage. And the show goes out live on Radio 1 from 7-10pm every Friday (to supplement the Thursday night show). Audio tonic are also lucky enough to have the best venue in town – and it’s not just us who thinks that: 360 has been in the Top 100 clubs for the past two years. Set on its own pier 300m into the Arabian Gulf, and within gawping distance of the Burj Al Arab, it’s quite simply stunning. Factor in the crowd - from sunset worshippers looking for a taste of Ibiza to the band of loyal fans that congregate around the DJ booth every Friday without fail, and you have a recipe for success.
But running a 10 hour party has its own perils. Not only is it tiring for most people, but drinks are really, really expensive. The recession coupled with the fact that now there is so much more to choose from in the weekend clubbing calendar has defi nitely had its impact on long nights spent at 360 (although the birthday night was packed from sweaty start to fi nish). So how can Audio Tonic keep growing? We sat down with Mr Mr following the birthday bash to fi nd out why audio tonic will continue ‘adding the vital ingredient to your weekend’.

How did Audio tonic start 4 years ago?
I came to Dubai with the intent of getting involved in the music industry in some way. Back in the UK I had a pirate radio show and I made a lot of effort to record those shows with the intent to give it to Radio 1 here. On my first visit to Dubai I met Jeff Price who was the head back of Radio 1 back then. There wasn’t anything open at that time but then I met with Alex Bracken of New Dawn, who said he had some new projects coming up. I gave him my demo the night before I left to go back to the UK. Coincidentally Jeff and Alex spoke and offered me the show on Radio 1, so I had to come up with a name.Shortly after when I was sitting in a taxi on the way back from Ikea, the name Audio Tonic just fi zzed into my mind. Within two weeks of moving here I was on air. Looking back it’s mad to think I started with a 3 hour radio show during prime time from 6 to 9pm and I didn’t really have a clue about commercial radio. There were no decks in the studio, I was just starting and stopping CDs.

How did you get the residents?

Well we wouldn’t be doing the 4th year without the residents. The initial residents were Kennedy, Matt
Charles, Lance and some others. The residents didn’t really know what to play but were chosen because they were good DJs. I have chosen our residents because they are tried and tested. Raxon really impressed me with what he played; he is really fresh and adaptable. Vas is awesome, Julian is irreplaceable; JC and Mike Daniel  are also good for sunsets. The time from 6-8 is critical because it has to keep people there or entice people to come. They all have their own sound which collectively is audio tonic.

What have been some of the highlights over the past 4 years?
When Pete Gooding played in 2007 it started to rain. The staff got a big tarp and everyone held it above the DJ booth. Just as the rain came Pete played Moby’s ‘It’s Raining Again’ (Steve Angello remix) and the whole
place went mental. It’s one of my fondest memories. Also the residents Christmas party in 2008 was an
incredible night, with Ali Ajami, Raxon, Vas and myself playing. A storm was brewing in the distance and at
1:30, lightening was covering the entire horizon, every time the thunder clapped the crowd went nuts. We didn’t know if we would make it to the end, but the timing was incredible because right at 2 am the rain started.


How has the recession affected audio tonic?
Well the average party in Dubai isn’t 10 hours. The drink prices are average for a premium bar, but people can’t afford to stay that long anymore. It has had an effect on numbers around 7 to 10pm which is when the guest DJ plays. 360 is 5 years old and already one of the oldest venues in Dubai, which is pretty crazy. Despite this we
haven’t struggled this season at all except in the winter when it’s cold.

What are your ideas for the future?
I don’t want to change too much, we seem to have a formula that works. But I would like to see the venue redone and maybe some drink deals. We have a good relationship with the hotel, so we hope to see those things happen soon.

Catch the last two audio tonic’s of the summer on Friday June 4 and 11 at 360, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, from 4pm-2am. Guest list  www.platinumlist.ae/360 

It was smiles all round for the audio tonic crew as they fi ttingly celebrated their fourth birthday with a residents only bash.

Words Lisa ant