James Holden 1st time in Tokyo

[themonk]

He totally SUCKED!!!

He played random banging techno/tech-house in a totally clueless fashion. I've never seen a "big" dj play with such little regard to rhythm. Every track was disconnected to the track before it and the track after it, so you'd have to try to find a new groove after every mix. Some tracks were cool, but just as you were starting to get into it, the next track would come in and then you'd have to start all over again--very frustrating. After about 30 minutes of this nonsense, all of my friends and I just gave up trying to dance.

The set was basically undanceable, unless you were just a drunk bouncing up and down to every kick. Very disappointing. He should stick to producing, where he's brilliant, and leave the dancefloor to the professionals. I think he could get away with this mixing style when he was playing his faery melodies, but when you try that with techno or tech-house, you look very silly indeed!

[daigomi]

Re: James Holden 1st time in Tokyo

So, are you saying he wrecked every mix?

[Jibgolly]

i wouldnt doubt it ben. ive heard a couple recent sets of his that were less than good.
his mixing is at best, 'ok' for 50% of the time.

[themonk]

daigomi,
he wasn't really wrecking the mix. the beat-matching was allright. it was the choice of tracks to mix together that was awful. the tracks just didn't sit together to create a continuous groove. beat-matching is only a small part of mixing.

[meinie]

when i first saw holden last year in denver, i think was a bit forgiving regarding his mixing and programming skills simply because i had heard so many negative assessments before. but when i saw him again at 1015, the lack of control over the dancefloor really seemed to overpower the fact that he was playing some great tracks. the guy probably brings some of the most sought after crates of records to the tables, but is definitely still working on putting them together in a way that creates and maintains an atmosphere. imo.

[Pataky P]

I like James music!!He is a nice DJ!!!

[c_zavala]

holden is one of my favorite djs, cuz he's got amazing tunes that ive heard from no one before. but i do wish his djing skills would improve. that would make him the best dj without a doubt. also, i wish he would vary his sets more, many of em are pretty similar

[day_for_night]

one of the many producers who should stick to what they do best.

[Roderik_London]

I think his programming is not bad on his mix cds (hence balance) but programming at a live gig is a different art

[barkup]

He played at Renaissance in London last year and was shite, he came on at 4 and just lost the crowd. People were just talking and not dancing, shame as i was looking forward to seeing a yonug and newish dj play.

[themonk]

i think the programming of the balance cd, especially the first mix, is pure genius, but that has little to do with the real world of stepping up and controlling a dance floor. i'll never pay to see him dj again, but i'll buy any track he or the rest of the border community makes or any studio mix he puts together!!

[Leha]

same here, i love his tracks, but his mixes i listen only once

[ixmati]

Got to see him soon, here in Mexico, then Ill pay a judgement.

ixmatii

[ubiqe]

I don't know what you're talking about. He played in Warsaw in dec and he was rocking it. Maybe nothing suprising from him, just his usual bleeps but everybody was enjoying it. I had a great time all in all. And by what you could see, James was ebjoying it too.

[Mauricio]

I have never seen him live but i love his sets. James is one of those dj's who is constantly looking for new things rather than just dj-ing. I think we need more guys like him who educate us with new styles and such. James Zabiela is one of those guys too. Crowds have to be more open and listen to these songs. Dance music is declining and both dj's and producers have to look for new things.

I love James's