On what is traditionally one of clubland’s busiest weekends, Defected Records will continue their Virtual Residency this Good Friday with an all-star line-up of international talent, including Calvin Harris’ debut appearance for the house music institution as Love Regenerator. Defected are encouraging music fans to stay inside to enjoy world-class DJ’s streaming direct from their own homes and studios, alongside exclusive never-before-heard sets from previous Defected events.
With the first two Defected Virtual events already receiving over 5m views, positive reactions flooded in via BBC Breakfast, Radio 1, Radio 2 and Channel 4 News, as well as Pitchfork, Forbes, Le Monde and many more global media outlets with a reach of over 335m. Due to the overwhelming demand from its audience Defected are committing to continuing the broadcasts for as long as possible, while again encouraging donations to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund with a button appearing alongside the stream.
Headlining the virtual event, Calvin Harris will DJ under new alias Love Regenerator, which he debuted earlier this year. Said to be inspired by, “early rave, breaks, techno and house,” this stream will be one of his first DJ sets under the alter-ego. Highlights will also include DJ sets from Defected residents Sam Divine, David Penn and Mambo Brothers, who will be doing a unique Ibiza sunset inspired set, delivering the Balearic vibe to people’s living rooms around the world. House legends Roger Sanchez and Mike Dunn join the line-up alongside South Africa’s inimitable Black Motion and masked house master Claptone.
“Defected helped define the sound of house music I was listening to as a teenager; I associate the old grey and blue 12″ covers with so much happiness and inspiration… Since day one every release has been of quality, and when you think about it – with the amount the industry has changed since 1999 – to be smashing it out the park more than ever is a beyond incredible feat!” – Calvin Harris
The stream will provide an essential soundtrack to the current lockdowns being enforced around the world, and a welcome uplift for those in isolation. Defected’s ’Our House. Your House. United. Together’ message accompanying this week’s event is clear, encouraging people to stay home and connect virtually through the power of music.
Next in the residency, Defected’s sister label Glitterbox will host its debut Virtual Festival on Friday 17th April, with a line-up including Bob Sinclar, Purple Disco Machine, Natasha Diggs, Melvo Baptiste and Simon Dunmore, plus more to be announced in due course.
Defected Virtual Festival links: https://defected.lnk.to/DefectedVirtualFestival3
Find out more about the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/donate
Defected Virtual Festival playlist on Spotify: https://defect.click/DVFSpotify