Armani/Bar, June 30, 10pm
Rain or not, it's officially summer and time to party like it's 1997. British duo Evil Nine return to Hong Kong with an upbeat synth-infused set to rock the 13th anniversary of the handover.
This year, they're doing so on the back of their record label launch, and two new releases that incorporate Italo-disco, British garage and big Chicago house with plenty of trademark Evil Nine synths. For two bass guitarists who last released a concept album about zombies, it's all a bit disco. But then, the Brighton-based producers have always been known for pushing the limits with an arsenal of rock, house and electro sounds.
Pat Pardy and Tom Beaufoy (left) formed Evil Nine in 1998 and were signed by veteran breaks producer Adam Freeland after sending him their first demo - recorded on a cassette. They subsequently released their debut album, You Can be Special Too, on Freeland's label, Marine Parade.
Their follow-up was the horror-themed concept album, They Live!, in 2008. Appropriately littered with synths that could have come out of an 80s B-flick, the genre-busting LP had tracks with names such as Dead Man Coming and How Do We Stop the Normals, and was crammed with buzzing electro, breaks, rock and hip hop.
The signature distorted basslines of their albums have won them a following in punk and rock scenes as well as in the dance music world, but their DJ set is a somewhat funkier story. Their label For Lovers opened its digital doors earlier this month, kicking off with a free mix of dancefloor-friendly tunes - punchy breaks with so many influences.