We take an in-depth look at Beijing’s club scene, mapping out some of the biggest DJs and music collectives in the city, followed by a brief discussion of nightlife and the broader music scene with Punk resident DJ Saul D.  

DJ Wordy
Despite his tender age, DJ Wordy is fast becoming an elder statesman of the Beijing dance music scene. With roots in rock music, he acquired turntable skills when scratching was relatively unheard of on the mainland. With three DMC Championships under his belt he most certainly knows his way around a pair of Technics 1210 turntables. He participates in the monthly Hotpot electro event, Area 26 hip hop jam and fills support slots with various visitors to Beijing from the hip hop fraternity, amongst them Jurassic 5’s Numark, DJ Premier, Fatman Scoop and Ghostface Killah.

Wordy has made his name in hip hop and branched out into other genres of dance music. Clearly unsatisfied with mindbending turntable pyrotechnics and razor sharp cuts, Wordy has set his musical mind to dance floor friendly club bangers of varied genre, delivered through a distinctly hip hop cipher. One such genre is dubstep, the sparse grimy drums and wobbling LFO-warped flowing tides of bass refuse are certainly a refreshing sound in Beijing’s current club climate. However, their overwhelming darkness and syncopated rhythms are often a little much for the average Beijing dance floor lurcher to cope with. This autumn wordy is visiting New York, no doubt to further broaden his musical horizons. Equally likely is that he will return to Beijing with a few musical tricks up his sleeve to amaze clubbers and audiences alike.

Acupuncture Records
An institution of Beijing nightlife is the city’s Acupuncture records collective. Being purveyors of all things techno, house, deep and minimal, if there is rumpshaking going on in this fair city then it’s likely that someone from this group of DJs and producers is somehow involved. Amongst the ranks of the label are Elvis.T, Pancake Lee, Weng Weng, X.L.F amongst others including Terry Tu, a previous DMC entrant and label founder. The crew has been deeply involved in the now legendary Yen Party as well as music festivals such as MIDI Festival and Tanglewood Festival which takes place at the Great Wall. What’s more, one of the most notable newcomers on the Beijing club scene, the venue Club Lantern, established by the Acupuncture outfit, has now become the capital’s most popular electronic dance venue after the much lamented downfall of White Rabbit.  

The inescapable ubiquity of minimal music in Beijing is often bemoaned by some clubbers; others wonder how the genre became such a staple. Some might suggest this has something to do with the disco pattern ‘four on the floor’ which is easily danced to and hence explains why the style is enjoying such popularity. The less cynical might argue that the minimal electronic sounds lend themselves to a kind of Eastern mystique, whether it be Pancake Lee’s snarling bass offset by peaceful, Zen-like, artfully dubbed echoes or Terry Tu’s deceptively melodically complex mixes and rich varied timbres. Whatever your dance floor leanings, Acupuncture are likely to have something for you.

The Syndicate
If the thought of minimal techno gets you thinking about reaching for the lights switch and laying your head down (and why not? It’s not everyone’s cup of tea), then you might be glad to know that jungle, dubstep and drum’n’bass are being represented by The Syndicate - hear me now!

The Syndicate is an international posse including management by Dan and Hayden, and DJs Elemental, Blackie, D-Rail, Mael, Kay C & Slide as well as MCs Webber, Terra D and Young Kin. Similar to the capital’s other DJ crews, The Syndicate are heavily involved in both China’s nightlife and festival scenes, being popular fixtures at Club China Doll. In terms of sound, Syndicate have a diverse palate, although that jungle sound is prevalent throughout, whether it be the dark, atmospheric reggae style basslines and sporadic snare rushes of DJ Mael and DJ Blackie’s recent podcast mix The Syndicate Bonus Session 03 or Blackie’s blistering D’n’B set on The Syndicate Bonus Session 09. (DJ Mael and DJ Blackie’s mix can be found here: http://www.play.fm/recording/thesyndicatebonussession0318269)

We share an insider’s view of the Beijing dance scene via a brief chat with Punk resident DJ Saul D:

MT: Please talk a little on the Beijing dance scene.
DJSD: Well I feel its growing and expanding in a rapid way but still has a long way to go.

MT: How do people react to new styles? You have been playing fidget house for a while now. Is it difficult for a Chinese audience that are used to the staples to adapt to such new styles?
DJSD: A lot of music is new to a lot of Chinese crowds so reactions are interesting. What I like the most is that Chinese are for the most part very open to new music and sound.

MT: How do you think playing in China has developed your style?
DJSD: To be honest, not much because the internet has globalized music in a very incredible way. I feel the internet truly plays the strongest role in my musical influence.

MT: We're talking in terms of both blogs and mp3s?
DJSD: Yeah. Well, both together. MP3 blogs are where I get and learn the most about music.

MT: How about Chinese DJs, which ones do you rate at the moment?
DJSD: Well I feel that Acupuncture Records DJs and Wordy are on top of the Chinese DJ market.

MT: How do you feel about Wordy's recent foray into dubstep? That seems pretty brave a move considering the Beijing general leaning towards R’n’B, hip pop and minimal.  
DJSD: Well, one of Wordy’s strengths is his knowledge of global music trends and right now dubstep is taking over.

MT: Do you think that that is something lacking in some Chinese DJs? A broader knowledge?
DJSD: Yes, I think so, but a lot of the lack of broader knowledge is because China has only been open to music for the last 15 maybe 20 years. As opposed to Western DJs who have been since they were born, exposed to music and educated on past music, too.

MT: So, going back to Acupuncture. They have a bit of a monopoly in Beijing, what do you think about their brand, why is it so popular?
DJSD: Well I think they are great at marketing, and what they have been the most successful in doing is attracting Chinese people to dance music.

MT: What would you like to see change or introduced to the Beijing club scene?
DJSD: What I would fix is less in the club scene and more on radio and TV. I would like to see more support of local bands and artists that do not fit the pop culture mold. More radio and shows that educate the public on more styles of music. A bit like BBC radio.

MT: That’s an interesting idea, do you think that in China’s strongly commercialized music scene that such a system is feasible?
DJSD: Well, I think with time, yes. I mean take the local music scene. Beijing’s local music scene is great and strong. Now three years ago they only could play Beijing but now there is a club circuit that spans of all of china. I still think it’s at a grassroots level and that’s good for music but it’s growing and fast.

DJ Saul D, originally from Miami, is currently resident at The Opposite House in club Punk where he has plays a plethora of dance music styles alongside other international DJs such as DJ Craze. His recent club mix is available for listening at http://soundcloud.com/djsauld/in-memory-of.

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Keywords: the syndicate Beijing Beijing club scene DJs Beijing acupuncture records Beijing