JUN 16 – Harry’s x Vivid Sydney: Simon Caldwell b2b Kali

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Simon Caldwell and Kali – these are two names familiar with quality dance music lovers around Sydney. Both have been in the game for decades, and their names are both drenched in memories of dances past.

With their eclectic taste, Simon and Kali have managed to avoid the stifling ‘style’ classification so many other DJs trap themselves into, keeping themselves free to draw on varied loves of deep, soulful house, techno, funk, jazz, electro, and anything else which catches their ear.

As well as consistently thriving behind the decks, these two both hold down their own shows on FBI Radio. You can catch Simon on Monday night Sunsets, and Kali on her Friday night Picnic show, and lets not forget about their killer boiler room sets you can stream any time of day.

Simon has supported (on the same stage) a list of internationals longer than your arm, including Theo Parrish, James Brown, DJ Sotofett, Todd Terje, Rolando, Herbert, Claude Young, Maurice Fulton, Grace Jones, Derrick Carter, Vakula, Moodymann, Actress, Onra, Moritz von Oswald, Charles Webster, Fred P and Frankie Knuckles, to name just a few. As well as having an outstanding backlog of impeccable gigs, you may also know Simon as a resident and co-promoter of Mad Racket, a Sydney underground party institution running since 1998.
In mid 2014 Simon based himself in Berlin for three months and played five shows there at clubs including Wilde Renate and Prince Charles, plus two shows in Russia and shows in Hamburg (Golden Pudel Club) and London (Rhythm Section, Peckham).

Kali’s unrelenting energy, and elevated taste has masterminded local institution Picnic. Now in it’s 10th year, Picnic has established itself as a name that pleasure seekers and dance music enthusiasts can trust. Presenting world-class acts DJ Harvey, Young Marco, Soichi Terada, DJ Sprinkles and Underground Resistance to the most appreciative audiences, Picnic also always places an emphasis on the local scene, building a party from the ground up.

Kali’s unwavering loyalty to Australian artists is best highlighted by the One Night Stand series. These carefully considered nights find a local selector to guide the dancefloor from open to close, with Andrew Weatherall being the only international (at the penultimate Sydney Opera House), alongside unforgettable eight-hour marathons from Tornado Wallace, LNTG, Ben Fester, Simon Caldwell and herself.

While Picnic is ultimately about booking the right DJ for the right party, Kali’s self-guided sense of responsibility has also birthed another series — HER. A platform for awe-inspiring established and emerging female artists to do their thing, HER alumni includes Lena Willikens, Jayda G, Octo Octa and a string of likeminded supports.