Five diamonds in the rave at Cellar Stage
Cellar Stage is one for the electronic heads it’s where you’ll find the ravers going to the early hours of the morning. Amongst the high rise trees and steep embankment, the Cellar Stage has been the starting platform for some of the countries top DJs and producers. Last year we saw Montell2099 play the highly-coveted New Year's Eve set on the main stage but 4 years earlier he was playing a day time set at Cellar Stage. The Cellar has even hosted the likes of Cut Snake (Fisher) and Flume in their formative years.
As a bubbling hotbed of electronic music talent, that could well be the case again as Cellar Stage will host a wide array of DJs spanning genres and cities around New Zealand.
Syrup
The name Syrup might not sound too familiar but the dynamic femme tag team behind the decks will. Made up of Auckland nightclub veterans Teto and Sammie, the duo started playing the occasional B2B set together but soon found they were onto something. Syrup was born and now Teto and Sammie are here to give you the best of both worlds.
As one half of Syrup, Teto’s technical prowess is not to be missed. Intricate changes and flawless mixes have attributed to her rise as one of Auckland’s most indemand DJs. Recently she’s expanded into the production realm, most notably taking on a remix of Willy Mav and Elipsa’s ‘Without You’ which was released through Lunchbox Records in October. Sammie also doubles up as a producer when she’s not behind the decks, debuting with ‘Underground’ in 2019 she’s gone onto release a further 4 tracks. Together their new project Syrup brings out the best in both of them.
Bontempo
Coming out of the capital, Bontempo had a quick rise as one of the premiere house and techno DJs around. After being introduced to electronic music by her friends during her time in Melbourne, she took on the CDJs and hasn’t looked back since. Making a name for herself at the infamous 121 Club in Wellington, Bontempo made her R&V debut last year and she’s bringing it back in 2020.
Featured on Flamingo Pier and Frank Booker’s ‘Pleasures’ take over on Las Vegas’ Karangahape Road, Bontempo has quickly become a hot commodity around the country. Playing from everywhere to from underground bars to boat parties, the house DJ has been around Aotearoa and back. For good reason, she’s back this year with her deep smooth basslines and dreamy synths along with a whole new bunch of tricks up her sleeves.
Eastern Bloc
The Ukrainan born DJ and producer Artur Aldridge has taken Eastern Bloc solo since it’s incarnation. Over the past few years he’s played an abundance of festivals while simultaneously working on his authentic sound. He’s remixed Vic Mensa and Billie Eilish but also taken on the Christmas classics ‘Last Christmas’ and ‘All I Want For Christmas’, truly a versatile DJ, Eastern Bloc can take on any challenge.
Most recently he’s released his ‘Terra Firma’ EP, combining his love for house and indie the EP has something all electronic music fans can appreciate. Behind the decks he’s got a virtual crate full of goodness to keep your two-step going into the early hours, with unmatched track selection Eastern Bloc has become a regular on the Aotearoa festival circuit for years for good reasons.
KÉDU CARLÖ
Although KÉDU CARLÖ is a relatively new project, Jess and Carly started making music nearly 5 years ago back in high school as part of an indie rock band. Now years later, the two crossed paths again this time with slightly different interests.
Jess explored neo-soul and french house while Carly found her love for DJing as she dove into the world of house, techno and acid music, together they bounced off each other's strengths to form KÉDU CARLÖ. The duo’s first two tracks caught the attention of GeorgeFM as ‘Ije Ije’ and ‘Donald’ both received exclusive spins of the tracks thanks to Sin. Since then the duo have gone onto release ‘2005 GTO’, a spoken word hypnotic track about going down Auckland’s infamous Karangahape Road late at night.
K2K
Getting her start in Wellington, K2K has gone on to become one of the premium techno DJs Aotearoa has to offer. As a hand-picked graduate of the Red Bull Music Academy in 2015, K2K has perfected her craft which has led to gigs around the world and opening for the likes of Fatboy Slim and fellow R&V 2020ers Chaos in the CBD. Along with being behind the decks, K2K has her own original music out with her ‘Sugar’ EP which was released in 2017. Since then she’s continued to play around the country to packed out crowds whether it’s at R&V or somewhere in the bush.
Technical ability behind the decks means K2K is one for the techno heads over at Cellar Stage. Pulling out tunes from around the world, her influences come from afar as a well-travelled DJ she can make you feel like you’re in Berlin’s Berghain or a disco party at Auckland’s Las Vegas Club.