Line-up /

Juan Atkins
Terrence Dixon (UK debut)
Steve Bicknell
John Heckle
Mario Barbarossa

Second Room Hosted by md Residents
Mario
Kathleen Winter
Philip Demuth

Please join us for Phase Array – The first in a series of new techno and electronica nights from Cybotron Live producers minimal detroit, headed up by Detroit’s Terrence Dixon and London based duo, Kathleen and James Winter.

Detroit techno pioneer and originator Juan Atkins (Cybotron, Model 500) joins us for a special guest slot for this inaugural night, alongside fellow Detroit producer Terrence Dixon who makes his highly anticipated debut appearance in the UK. They are joined by techno visionary Steve Bicknell who now resides in Berlin but returns to play his home turf in London for a notable UK appearance, and Liverpool’s electronic music stalwart, John Heckle.

A rare opportunity to see these key artist producers in intimate surroundings. Hangar, a subterranean warehouse space, is situated in the basement of a former Victorian laundry in London Fields, with a state of the art L’Acoustics sound system across two rooms.

A major electronic music pioneer from Detroit, Juan Atkins appeared behind aliases such as Cybotron, Model 500, and Infiniti releasing many classics of Detroit techno. The 1982 electro track “Clear”, recorded by Atkins and Rick Davis as Cybotron, is often considered the first proto-techno track. Continuing to the experimentation by fusing the extra-terrestrial funk of Parliament Funkadelic with the futuristic rhythms and hard math of Kraftwerk and the progressive dance theorems proposed by Giorgio Moroder, the Model 500 12″s on his own label Metroplex, laid the blueprint for the Detroit techno and a worldwide movement to follow.

Terrence Dixon, also known under the Population One moniker, describes his techno as “Forward-thinking ghetto electronics” and is widely recognised for his incongruous, minimalist sound design, authenticity, and dedication. A prolific producer, his 30-year studio career has seen releases on Metroplex, Tresor and Rush Hour to name but a few. Dixon‘s presence has become well-established in the global Underground for having produced some of the deepest atmosphere in the genre. His sound safeguards Detroit techno so that it will remain relevant in the years to come and his tracks have been some of the most standout pieces of the 21st century. He is a champion of the Detroit sound, who is firmly rooted in the city’s grand tradition but also propels things forward in unexpected ways. We look forward to welcoming him over to London for his first visit to the UK.

They are joined by Steve Bicknell, a name often mentioned when you talk about techno. Whether you refer to his renowned and beloved seminal club night LOST (that spanned for over 25 years) or one of his two labels – it is clear that Bicknell plays a very vital part in the game. Since its induction to the present day LOST has stood as one of the UK’s most innovative and scene-defining events marking the debut performances from some of dance music’s most uncompromising and inventive creators. Many of the DJ’s and acts they supported are now seen as key figures in today’s world of techno. He is an unswerving visionary, guided by a deep devotion to music that inspires, together with a desire to present his craft in the purest form possible. Steve Bicknell is a genuine master of the underground sound, we are honoured to have him joining us for this first Phase Array.

An abstract and experimental electronic producer and DJ from Liverpool, John Heckle has been producing some of the UK’s leading edge techno and electronica since 2010, releasing music for Tabernacle, Cocoon, and Mathematics – where his First EP ‘Life on Titan’ earned a Qwartz Electronic Music Award. With an emphasis on out-of-the-box live recording and invention, Heckle is also a prolific live performer, with the same emphasis on energy and improvisation; no two sets being the same. In 2014, he anonymously produced 9 EP’s for Tabernacle’s sub-label Head Front Panel, and now tours HFP Live, following a debut Live PA of the Head Front Panel material at Tresor Berlin, where he continues to perform on a regular basis. His sound embraces all of the elements of house and techno, retaining all the melodies and percussion you would expect but with a raw and industrial edge. Since his emergence on to the scene, Heckle has proved himself as the front-runner of the current generation. An artisan of the craft and a natural musician, we are looking forward to one of John’s high energy DJ Sets.

London-based DJ and md resident Mario Barbarossa completes the line up for the main room. Mario is unquestionably a veteran of underground house and techno in the UK, serving since 92′ as a long-standing DJ at the Lost parties. Mario is a true and rare artist whose selections and mixing put him in a class of his own.

The Second Room is hosted by md London residents and close friends Mario, Kathleen Winter and Phil Demuth.