by JACK OATMON

On a particularly cold night last February, I found myself on the way to Club Lambi to check out the Juan MacLean. Having shown up late at the LCD Soundsystem party last fall, only to hear tales of the Juan’s reportedly mind-busting set, I was happy to find out that I would have another chance to catch it. I was expecting to arrive at Lambi for a one-man show consisting of synthesizers, drum machines and the like. After a circus-like performance by Duchess Says and something of an overview of the first DFA sampler by Tim Sweeny (who blasted the W to pieces later on that night), not one but five members of the Juan MacLean walked on stage. To the electrified joy of the audience (or at least, my over-enthusiastic friends and I), the show was intense, funky insanity, rather than the subdued, often ambient sound of the album. This Saturday, July 8, anyone who missed that show will have a chance to redeem themselves at Club Soda. Toronto’s MSTRKRFT, who put on a solid show at Voyeur recently and who have an album out this month, will be opening, spinning homemade synth-disco and their trademark indie-rock reprise bangers. I can’t think of anything further from jazz, but it’s confusingly a part of the Jazz Fest anyway. Search me.

This Friday, July 7, elimination rounds for the DMC Canada DJ championships will be held at Petit Campus, with guests Killa-Jewel and Skratch Bastid. Aspiring talents from across the country will each be given six minutes each to shake the dancefloor in hopes of scoring a spot in the international circuits. Crowd-pumping will be a judging category, so don’t be afraid to bash your head against the walls, dump beer down your trousers and scream in tongues in a confused, unfettered frenzy when your favourite DJ comes on.

As per the usual, there are myriad other rad happenings transpiring around the town, so here’s the rundown: Tiga’s gonna be at le Parking tonight, Thursday, July 6. That’s sure to be a gong show. Also tonight, you can see London’s Ali B (no, not Ali G, I’m afraid) at Saphir. He’s a resident at Fabric, so you’re not too likely to get another chance to see him for just $8. If that doesn’t do it for you, stroll down to the SAT for the Fantasia opening party and see Dandi Wind and Sixtoo live, along with DJs Jan Pienkowski, ChevyVan and Cherry Cola. For something different, my pick for tonight would be the Main Hall. South African hip hoppers Tumi and the Volume are playing alongside Nigerian singer/songwriter Zaki Ibrahim and DJ Nana for a cool eight bills. Thursdays are too much, man.

Friday night’s the next installment of DiskHo, also at the SAT, with John Tejada, Mossa and Jon Schmidt. And, finally, Saturday night, Joe Claussell spins toned-down spiritual vibes at the air-conditioned Academy Club.

RETRO’S ALMOST CAUGHT UP WITH NOW. WHAT DO WE DO? jack.oatmon@gmail.com

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