Fresh from slaying everywhere from Chicago, to Napoli, to Ibiza this summer, Hot Since 82 is one of the fastest rising stars in electronic music. A massive essential mix, the launching of his Taken project, which sold out in 30 minutes, and his new imprint Knee Deep In Sound getting off to a successful start back in March, has seen the Barnsley born DJ’s already growing stock meteorically rise. Now we are heading into the winter months his progression doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. His new single ’Somebody Everybody’, featuring Black Box, is already sending shockwaves on dancefloors up and down the country, with the first compilation album off his label Knee Deep In Sound due to hit stores the 17th November. Shortly after releasing details of the album, a pre-album promotional tour was in the mist, and it was time to get Knee Deep in Southampton.
The bar at one end of the venue, and Bontan hammering out melodic house on stage at the other end, the Warehouse is a giant rectangle, leaving drunken ravers, smooth dancers and all that’s in between in the vacant space. It’s a perfectly simple set up, and one that for events like these works really well. Wading through the crowd you would find a mixture of sunglass-wearing shufflers and old school raver types. Bontan is warming things up nicely, his inspirations of Kerri Chandler and The Martinez Brothers clear to see. Making a name for himself on the underground house scene, and with regular supports with Pete Tong and B. Traits on Radio one he’s the perfect Hot Since 82 protege.
2am hits and with a smooth transition Hot Since 82 took to the decks, effortlessly controlling the dancefloor with his uber melodic productions. Slick remixes of Major Lazers ‘Percolator’ and Booka Shades ‘Love Inc’ send the crowd into a frenzy, cries of ‘ohhhh’ echoing in the venue. It’s no surprise that Hot Since 82 is growing in popularity, his feel good style of house is contagious, with the energy he brings to his sets flowing right through to the capacity crowd. The venue was electric with good vibes, with Hot Since 82 setting the tone with a great mixture of progressive and melodic house, giving the audience a clear taster of what the compilation album will be like. Supported by some crazy lazer effects he ends his set in a flurry, seeing off another very successful night.
First published: November 2, 2014
Where?: https://noisecannon.com/2014/11/01/hot-since-82-bontan-warehouse-southampton/
Will Garnett 