WELLINGTON: This Saturday (24 October 2020), Anthem Dance Party will open with a live set by Sydney DJ Dom de Sousa despite the DJ being unable to fly into New Zealand due to the closed border. Instead, in what organisers believe may be a World first, Dom will play live in Wellington via an HD video and sound link across the Tasman.
Party producers and promoters Nathan Brown and Josiah Pasikale say they have not found another ticketed party having done what Anthem Party will do anywhere in the World. Nonetheless, he says they have addressed the most critical risk - Internet failure.
“Our Sound Engineer Richard is also a wireless Internet expert. He’s helping us with all kinds of redundancy - three laptops, independent feeds in and out, back-up power, and connectivity to not two, but three mobile data networks,” says one of the pair making the Party happen, Josiah.
The producers say overseas acts are part of Anthem Party’s format because they add an international quality that benefits our local line-up as much as the crowd.
“Before COVID, we sought to elevate local talent by having them share the stage with overseas DJs with bigger profiles in New Zealand than are readily generated by local artists, particularly in our LGBTI+ communities to whom we are geared,” says Josiah.
“Now, with the border closed, beaming in the DJ means the Party can still marry local talent and the lights, lasers and bass of the Party experience with the added magic of, say, a DJ from a different, often larger LGBTI+ epicentre - in this case Sydney,” he says.
Responding to fears that a remote DJ cannot connect with the audience to create the energy of a dance party, the two organisers reckon they have it covered.
“Eva Beva on Dixon Street, which will host the Party, has screens all around the venue that will display a video feed from Dom, who in turn will receive a video feed from the party that we will also broadcast on our Facebook Page. We’ve also recruited two local dancers to inject their own energy during the second half of Dom’s set, which will be the first of the night, to inject energy into the crowd,” explains Josiah
Anthem Party’s other producer Nathan Brown says the pandemic had changed people’s ideas about virtual experiences.
“We’re seeing things people do offline shifting online like Zoom meetings and AirBNB Experiences which are increasing the range of experiences people are comfortable enjoying virtually. This effect is present now, and could be permanent which opens the possibility of us doing it again if it goes well,” says Nathan
The producer said long-term challenges faced by event organisers in New Zealand also explain why they want to see whether the concept might work as a format once the pandemic is over.
“The Country’s distance and small population are long time barriers to bringing overseas acts to here, especially outside Auckland. Even 4 AM blanket closing have constrained the capacity of the sector. Parties like Anthem with up to 500 people, struggle to afford the added costs on top of all the other expenses,” he says.
Saturday’s DJ Dom de Sousa adds that it will be a first for him but he is ready for it.
“I will enjoy and vibe the atmosphere and play to that even from thousands of kilometres away. The Anthem team have gone above and beyond to make me feel I will be there,” says Dom.
ABOUT ANTHEM PARTY
Anthem Party made a splash during its March debut, before the pandemic, as the official afterparty of the 2020 Wellington Pride Parade. That party attracted over 500 people and featured DJ Drew G from Dallas, Texas whose remixes were hand-picked by Madonna.
While planning for Pride 2021, Anthem’s follow-up party hits Wellington this Labour Weekend. Our friends are fitting out lights, lasers and bass to transform Eva Beva into an Anthem sensation that will light-up your booty like never before. Join Jordan Eskra (AKL) on the decks supported by Dom de Sousa (SYD) and Underground Mo (CHC) with performances from Marysia and Fafswag’s Jaycee from 9 PM Saturday 24 October.
Then, the following day of the long weekend, we're easing into Sunday evening at JUMP from 3 PM until 9 PM with DJ Marcus and Underground Mo. Reserve your spots on the d-floor while there's still time! Tickets on sale from iTicket.co.nz
Website: anthemparty.nz
Facebook and Instagram: anthemdanceparty
DOM DE SOUSA PROFILE
Oxford Street, Sydney is the world-famous epicentre of Australian LGBTI+culture and home to the dazzling spectacle of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. CircuitX DJ Ambassador, Dom de Sousa is known to consistently bring beats that get the crowd jumping. His long list of residencies include ARQ Sydney, Stonewall Hotel, The Colombian, The Green Park Hotel, and The Oxford. So, it’s not hard to see that Dom always plays for the time, place and crowd. Dom’s sets typically traverse styles such as House, Progressive, and Circuit House. He is a regular at the country’s biggest LGBTI+ biggest dance parties and has played previously in New Zealand at Propaganda (AKL) and Winter Pride (ZQN).
Website: domdesousa.com
Facebook: facebook.com/djdomdesousa