Maybe you don’t know this about me, but I’m a big fan of electro. That’s largely because my brain is stuck in an acid trip from 2008. Local rock/alternative music channel MK is planning to join me on that trip and expand its musical horizons somewhat with a new show, kicking off this Thursday, that will focus on electronic music as opposed to MK’s tried and trusted rock and Afrikaans market.
Check out more info on MK Elektro after the jump.
According to the press release, the show’s going to take a very different look at the SA and international electronic music scene.
On a street level through the eyes and ears of the fans on the dancefloor, and straight from the mouths and minds of DJ’s, producers and electronic artists.
That’s an interesting sentiment MK’s got there. I’m all for a show that celebrates a favorite subgenre of mine, and a chance to approach a subculture from a different angle, but there does seem to be a little confusion as to what exactly this show is going to do for the electro scene. For one thing, despite the fact that it’s a little “played out”, it’s pretty clear MK considers the very prominent and well known world of electronic music as something “seedy” and “underground”. Considering their traditional audience bracket though, this just might work out for them.
The SA dance-music scene is rapidly moving from the undergrounds of Cape Town and Johannesburg, into the world spotlight. MK Elektro will bring attention to this by featuring some of the biggest parties of the year, with the finest hidden-nightlife in the country.
If the show’s meant to focus on “hidden-nightlife”, then why is it determined to expose it? The entire appeal of that culture is that it’s “from the undergrounds of Cape Town and Johannesburg”, so what exactly is the intention behind publicly exposing it? If the aim is to take the varied electronic genres out to the masses and capture a new audience segment, I guess this show is going to blow the minds of everyone who’s never set foot in inner city Jo’burg on a Saturday night. If they are courting that new audience for dance culture, this might be the kinda gig we need to get venues like The Alex Theatre overflowing.
On the other hand, there are some aspects of the show that really intrigue me. I’m really keen on seeing this, for example…
Tune in as DJ’s and producers… are taken out into the real world to interact with their fan bases in unexpected and rather entertaining circumstances.
While it’s unlikely to go this way, I can’t help but imagine Double Adapter and Haezer going head-to-head in the kitchen for an episode, seeing who can make the best souffle or some shit. Now that show would be fucking incredible!
MK Elektro drops the bejeezus on MK on Thursdays at 21:00.