Party Tip: Open the Box

“The concept won’t re-invent the wheel…” Open the Box writes on its blog. Which is true, because actually the party concept does nothing more than book three DJs and have a party. Not a very original idea, but if you go out to hear good music, flashy lights, macho artists, and half-naked dancing girls will mean nothing to you. Granted, we don’t only go out for good music either. But we will this weekend! Beside the hyped 22Tracks party on Friday evening (Lefto!, DJ Reedoo!, Funky Bompa!, Phonetics and Mezzdub!) at the Beursschouwburg, the extremely cosy Our Party (Paul “Trouble” Anderson!, Onda Sonora!) on Saturday at Bronks, and Catclub (Pional!, Coma!) at Vorst/Forest, there will be a new concept at Mr Wong that is striking thanks to its fantastic simplicity. The driving force behind Open the Box, THF, has invited Mark E. Though the Englishman has been releasing great singles for seven years, his career has never really “exploded”. But his popularity is gradually growing. He doesn’t have to travel across the world every week to play tunes for thousands of people. He prefers to keep things cosy and warm. Indeed, that is where his music comes into its own.



Whether he releases straight dance floor material or more low tempo house to be taken with a cocktail or three, his music always exudes the groove of bygone funk, soul, and disco. Just listen to his Janet Jackson remix in “R&B Drunkie”. We are convinced that Mark E does it for the music and not for the cash. Otherwise he would just have made a few mega hits and would now be lying in the sun on some island in the Canaries. As things are, he can let himself go for three whole hours at the hippest joint in Brussels – ample compensation!

Open The Box: THF, Polar, Geoffroy Mugwump, 
Mark E 23/6, 22.00, €3/5 Mr Wong, Zwarte Lievevrouwstraat 10 rue de la Vierge Noire, Brussel/Bruxelles, 
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