- Some might say it speaks to conservatism and a lack of imagination, but the decision on behalf of club promoters to prominently book older, more experienced artists is an understandably pragmatic one. But it becomes an issue when events become stagnant and predictable as a result. The most recent Mnml Ssgs party was a welcome shot in the arm to the Tokyo scene: most of the artists on the lineup were playing Contact for the first time, with the focus firmly on giving relative newcomers the chance to excel.
One of these newcomers was Lynne, a Tokyo-based DJ who turned out a wonderful mix for Rob Booth's Electronic Explorations series in 2016. She played an assured warm-up set, before passing over to Sapphire Slows. Although no stranger to the venue, the Not Not Fun affiliate took her opportunity in front of a captive audience to showcasee how far she has matured as an artist in the past two years. Her music still feels as distinctly personal as ever—confessional, both sensitive and sensuous—though now she's crafting her productions for the dynamics of expansive dance floors rather than suburban apartments. As well as highlighting the radical strides she's taken, the performance showed how much room there still is for her to grow.
New York pair Aurora Halal and Antenes were the night's two international guests. Halal hit the booth at peak time and impressed with a hypnotic set that undulated between delicate ambient and visceral, cascading passages of trance-y techno. It was captivating in a club environment, though it would have also been perfectly suited to the wide open spaces of Labyrinth festival. Antenes, whose brand of analogue techno shot to prominence via her 2015 release on L.I.E.S., closed with a DJ set full of infectious energy and relentless drive. Big-room electro and acid tracks by the likes of Neil Landstrumm and Fabrice Lig were hands-in-the-air moments.
Local talent flourished in the venue's lounge floor, a space in which punters typically congregate by the bar and talk over the music. On this occasion, though, the volume had been boosted, which improved things dramatically. Yuki Moriyama's abstract electronics demanded attention early on in the night. Former J-Idol and BiS member Tentenko demonstrated a music career U-turn with an uncompromising noise set. And Aya Gloomy turned in a colorful vocal performance. The promoters had paid similar attention to detail in the main room, closing one of the two entrances depending on which stage was being used. Across the venue, the musicians were shown the respect they deserve, and they repaid their audiences in kind.