SwingDJs

The Melbourne Lindy Exchange 2003 includes an International Battle of the DJs, with representatives from 6 countries!

The DJs are:

Solomon Douglas, Canada
James Hamilton, UK
Brian Renehan, Ireland
Matt Riddle, Australia
Frida Segerdahl, Sweden
Manu Smith, USA

For more about the MLX, see:
http://www.melbournelindyexchange.com/

Just to fill every one in on what happened.

The line up was as follows.
20 minute sets. Dancer’s applause decides who wins.

Heat 1
James Hamilton (Britain)
Sakarias Larsson (Sweden)
Matt Riddle (Australia)

Heat 2
Brian Renehan (Ireland)
Solomon Douglas (Canada)
Manu Smith (USA)


Winner of Heat 1 - Matt Riddle (Australia)
Winner of Heat 2 - Manu Smith (USA)
Followed by 40 minutes of head to head.

Winner - Manu Smith (USA)

It was great fun. I’ve never seen such a high level of DJing in Australia before. We are looking forward to the next time we get the change to do it again.

Go Manu! The brothers are representing.

U-S-A!
U-S-A!

I like how Frida magically turned into Sakarias. Those Swedes are wacky with the gender thing.

Frida had to pull out, as she wasn't going to be able to make it over to Melbourne in time.
Manu really pulled out some cool stuff.

Go Manu

Isn't it Mike's job to pull out?

Ocassionally you are really funny, Reuben!

Absolutely awesome contest to take part in. I voted for Manu.

I can't think of a time when I had more fun DJing than when we went head to head -- it lasted for over an hour and the crowd made us want to go on all night. Really fantastic vibe in there.

And yeah -- we had a late substitution for Sweden with Frida having family matters intervening. Apart from anything we had hoped that Frida would hold up the flag for the women! Next year we will do something about that.

Oh yeah, did we mention next year? Swing City is going to be in Melbourne. All you DJs need to start planning to make your way down under for the biggest international DJ battle on the planet.

Does anybody have set lists from the final and/or the heats?

Zot wrote: Oh yeah, did we mention next year? Swing City is going to be in Melbourne. All you DJs need to start planning to make your way down under for the biggest international DJ battle on the planet.

When next year? I need to find a conference to make work pay for the trip

It should be around mid November againn, but Zot will be able to give you the exact dates.

I'm trying to think of what my set was and I can't remember. I ended up managing the night as well as DJing.

I know I played

Jursey Bounce – Benny Goodman – BG in HiFi
Summit Ridge Drive – Atrie Shaw – The complete Gramercy Five Sessions (the pissed Manu off. He wanted to play it)
Jumpin’ at the Woodside – Count Basie – 1944 Count Basie
Rigamarole – Willie Bryant - Willis Bryant & His Orchestra

I’ve forgotten the other 2 songs I played.

Brian

From talking to Zot last night, he is looking at the third weekend in November (around 25 & 26) 2004, but that has to be confirmed. There is a few deciding factors. And from what I understand the Swing City / MLX festival would go from the Wednesday to Wednesday.
Have to get all you guys down here.
At the moment we're boasting that we have the largest active scene out side the US, and we believe we are in the top 5 scenes in the world in regard to numbers. So you'll have to come down, and see if our boasting is true.

Brian

November 24 - Dec 2.

That's right, a whole week of stuff next year. The reason: Swing City will be in Melbourne and we're combining it with MLX! We'll also be hosting the Hellzapoppin' World Championships, so cash in your frequent flyer miles now (or join a frequent flyer program). This is going to be a huge event.

To give you an idea, MLX 2003 had around 600 people attending at least one event over the weekend (over 200 signed up for passes to all the social events). Participants from 10 different countries, and all states of Australia.