Lying on the hotel bed ready to check out, I reflect on a few days in Dubai to save to the old memory bank.
I flew in on Wednesday morning for a collaboration with Sunstroke, a great brand that has gone from strength to strength and whom I played for last time I was in Dubai, 4 years ago (I can’t believe it’s been that long).
Whilst here, staying in 5-star luxury all you can eat & drink heaven, I’ve practised so much restraint I am very proud of myself. I’ve been the gym twice and did an 8km around the streets of the district. I ate really healthy and had minimum alcohol, not drinking at all on the night of the event itself. My impending Marathon in April had something to do with that but it’s mainly the hangovers that I don’t enjoy anymore, why do we put ourselves through so much pain for a few hours pleasure !?
Wednesday evening, out for dinner with friends. Thursday started with dinner at John Spoor’s with a rush to 360 degrees to get him on time for his set. He played a great set following on from Danny Kwang and was then followed himself by the lovely Miss Foster. By the time I came on the vibe was bubbling and I carried on with some sweet vocals and familiar remixes.
360 is one of the most iconic venues in Dubai. The crowd is a mix of people there for the music and those who just want to be seen somewhere cool. As long as you get the mix of the music right then the vibe can be great and it’s fair to say both myself and Timmy kept them rocking on the open deck until 2am and then we moved downstairs, inside until 3am.
Neither of us drank so it was fun seeing the states of some of the people and also great remembering all of the night the next day !
Friday saw me pop by the opening of a new Afro Centric party, put on by Cory of Centric Music. The opening sets were nice and then Monique Bingham came on and did a great performance followed by Ralf. I love Ralf and his music. His set at VB last year was something else ! I hung around until about 2am, 3 vodkas all night meant I woke this morning feeling fresh as a daisy and ready for my long journey home.
It’s been the perfect flying visit to catch up with all my good friends, despite being “over” Dubai a long time ago I still sit in Taxi rides in awe of it’s splendour and opulence. Definitely a place worth a visit, even if just the once !
Respect to Jack Woodcock for making it happen and everyone I rubbed shoulders with.
Here is the official photo album of the night and a few I captured myself on my phone.
Next up for VB on the road, the Ton-A-Grooves VB/Panache colab at Soho Rooms in Birmingham on Feb 27th.
