Happy 7th Birthday
August brings us to 7 years of the website and here is to many, many more, so long as there is amazing music and places to enjoy the onward journey will be fun! Thank you to everyone who has supported us, read a blog, shared a blog or just given us a thumbs up, smile or heart. Thank you! And this month is no exception. Here we go with some amazing new music, shows and interviews.
Learn to DJ Like Kölsch | Three Deck Mixing, Acappellas & Advice for Beginners
In the latest episode of our How I DJ series, Kölsch gives us an insight into some of the techniques used in building his emotive DJ sets. The Danish DJ/producer has been a defining force in electronic music for the past two decades.
Whether it’s through his chart-topping productions or performances on some of the world’s biggest stages, chances are you’ve experienced Kölsch. Here, he lifts the lid on his mixing style, detailing the ways in which he builds his sets, as well as his use of acapellas and FXs.
Kölsch also gives insight into his musical background, and shares some advice for aspiring DJs. How I DJ explores the unique styles of different artists, as they demonstrate their skills and techniques. Breaking down different ways to use a variety of DJ tech, artists give us an insight into their unique approach to DJing.
00:20 – 00:49 First Time Mixing Two Records Together
00:49 – 01:34 Equipment / Set-Up
02:16 – 02:56 Buying / Sourcing Music
02:56 – 05:11 How To Mix Using Three Decks
05:11 – 05:53 Favourite Set Time Duration
05:53 – 07:42 How To DJ Using In-ear Monitors
07:42 – 08:14 Biggest Inspirations
08:14 – 09:27 How To Use Memory Loops
09:27 – 10:42 Social Media / Filming
10:42 – 12:04 How To Organise Your Set
What a totally impressive video to watch and understand what it’s really like to see that side of the DJ booth of a worldwide International DJ. It is a real craft and skill to be able to DJ to audiences around the world and be successful with your produced music.
The video talks about including the famous Snare rolls on a 3rd deck (and is amazing to see this in action – one thing I can say is that it is another world to stand next to Rune and watch this happen LIVE is magical).
So cool to hear about vinyl music as a HUGE vinyl music fan, I can 100% understand this. The part about edits is great (but as a huge fan, I WISH I could one day get access to some of them!)
The longer the set the better – YES PLEASE!
On a serious note – *ear protection is so important* – I personally always where ear protection as I do have damaged ears ☹
I do wish it was about the music first and for most always and so cool to say as long as you behave you go for it and enjoy what you do.
Thank you for such a great video – Stay strong you will get there! Wise words
Tomorrowland Weekend 2
10 Years of playing at Tomorrowland is a brilliant record and one I hope continues for many years to come.
Some outstanding tracks plus very special moments with here is the track listing
Also, some stand out moments and tracks of the show have to be
- M.A.N.D.Y. vs. Booka Shade – Body Language – Edit of an iconic song
- Watergate (Loving this track!)
- Cassiopeia – with those amazing and talented vocals over the top would have sounded so good live.
- Then start into Armin van Buuren & Camisra – Let Me Show You
- Julian Jeweil – Derbouka and for the first time I can ever remember Calabria being edited/sampled in a Kölsch set. Very cool!
Then to finish off the set is Troels Abrahamsen on LIVE on stage to All That Matters and perfect end to a great set. But as always, such a shame it is only 1 hour but amazing we can relive again and again (which I did 3 times writing this update) Thank you Tomorrowland!
New Music – On Speicher (140) at Kompakt Records – Pre-order now
Words from Kompakt themselves: The man with the hat returns to where it all began. A lot of water has flowed down the Rhine since Rune Reilly Kölsch set out 16 years ago to conquer the raving planet with “Loreley.” But just as that rock stands firm against the floodwaters, so too is Kölsch’s instinct for great tracks, great emotions, and great moments. “Anti Promi Energie” is yet another track that generates incredible energy with astonishing ease. The B-side isn’t just a true standout within the Kölsch canon; it also opens a remarkable new chapter in the label’s history: “Verschwinden” can best be described as techno-folk or simply as the ideal final track after a night of partying, before the dawn swallows up the happy souls.
However, you can listen to a sample of the tracks here right now https://kompakt.fm/releases/speicher_140
Anti Promi Energie sounds for me a track with a summer techno trance cross over vibe but has a distinct Kölsch sound that is hard to describe in words. Looking forward to hearing this live as I think this is light hearted track and feels new but also nothing like what has been released lately a nice twist.
Whereas “Verschwinden” feels like a track that has come from the Talk to Water album with that sound of experimentation and feel of tracks that fit the Kompakt spirit of music. I can 100% see how this was a Speicher release for sure. I think this track I will 100% listen to on long car journeys is just a happy song.
The track is also on the CD and Digital version of the iconic Total 26 album https://kompakt.fm/releases/total_26
Can’t wait to get my copy though hoping to ship for 25th August making me also think where over half the year gone…. Well, there is still so much to look forward to
Fabric – All Night Long
Including fabric: Kölsch (All Night Long) 11pm – 6am and my first ever all night long! Can’t wait!!! Friday 25th September 2026. Still I think the best club and night I have been to so far.
Now picture this (This is purely my guess work coming up!) this is NOT all fact!
But Fabric is teaming up with Sennheiser (the makers of the amazing HD25 DJ headphones) for
fabric & Sennheiser Present The View From The Shard 2026 series
Following the success of last year’s sold-out collaboration, we’re proud to reunite with Sennheiser in 2026 for an exclusive new series of events at one of London’s most extraordinary destinations: The View From The Shard.
Across five carefully curated dates, we’ll celebrate the enduring partnership between two brands united by a shared commitment to exceptional sound, innovation and unforgettable musical experiences.
Spanning the breadth of our musical identity, every date in the series will showcase a different facet of our in-house programming, with globally respected artists soundtracking sunset high above the capital. Set against panoramic views stretching across London, each performance has been designed to immerse audiences in an unparalleled audiovisual environment.
Now I might have totally got this wrong BUT one of the dates is Friday 25th September the same date Kölsch is at Fabric, and going on the fact Sven Väth is playing at the Shard then to Fabric after on the same dates could be a sign. BUT this is total guess work. But I do wonder and if I am right that would be amazing and will definitely try and get tickets to both. Could you imagine that would be insanely good! I hope I am right!
Either way I will be at Fabric for the full experience for sure first in and last out!
So, there you have it 7 years on. After all that time we have been through some crazy times, had amazing music and live sets and hopefully many more to come. Thank you for all the support, everyone, keep safe, keep raving and keep true to the music.
John
