More Kandi over here, please!

By Ed Biado

So it seems that Bigfish is wasting no time in getting the party started this year. And January is double the fun with back-to-back Kandi parties. Together with leading mobile phone maker Nokia, the crew presents Hed Kandi 2009, all geared up to make clubbazons in Metro Manila and Cebu ready to head back to the circuit.

Hed Kandi once again takes its wickedly sexy house beats to the Philippines and they?ve got an all-star lineup to boast of. British house sensation DJ Andy Daniels is the main man, with our own pros Anton Ramos and Johnboy Lee backing him up. To make it even more enticing, how about some Peyton to do some vocals?

Kandi resident Daniels has become a household name among clubbers, and with good reason. His feel-good blend of electro, disco, soul, funk, and groove tickles the ears of house music enthusiasts?making him an instant hit wherever he performs, be it in Manchester?s hip clubs or in cosmos across ponds.

And Peyton? Many people know him as the food and drink guy on the British version of Queer Eye, but he?s also a notable fixture in the UK dance scene. His breakout hit, ?A Higher Place? is a cult-famous Hed Kandi release, and he?s also worked in the studio with legendary house producer Eric Kupper. Here in the city, the real clubbers would recognize his voice from clubplay essentials, ?I?ll Rise? and ?Falling?.

How about Ramos? AR is the godfather of chillout in the country, having hosted the now-defunct The Chillout Project radio program on 99.5 RT and having released the highly successful compilations of the same name (which we?re hoping to see more of).

Meanwhile, Lee?s claim to fame is as Bigfish?s go-to DJ and host of the increasingly popular Bigfish Radio, airing Saturdays at 9 p.m. (just as we?re prepping to go out clubbing) on Magic 89.9 in Metro Manila and on Killer Bee stations elsewhere in the Philippines. Lee is also highly sought-after elsewhere around the globe as a DJ/remixer/producer.

Also starring in the two-prong bash is the latest gem from Nokia: the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic. This sleek touchscreen phone comes with an advanced multi-format player, stereo surround sound, crystal clear hi-fi, and an 8-gigabyte memory?a true music-lover?s dream.

The Hed Kandi peeps first headed to the Cebu International Convention Center on Jan. 16, where Peyton made his appearance. That gig was a big deal for Bigfish as it was their first event mounted in that glorious city.

Friday after that is our turn. The entourage is flying back to the metro and will be taking the noise to the A.Venue Events Hall (along Makati Avenue) on Jan. 23. The DJs will be joined by MC Lavoce to give Manila?s tough crowd a rip-roaring good time. Inside sources say that a special surprise live performance awaits guests. That?s all they?re spilling, so we better just see for ourselves.

Giving full support to Bigfish and Nokia are the Shangri-La Mactan Cebu (official residence), O Music & Video, Gold?s Gym, Good Times 101 Condoms, Music One, MYX, Activ8 Records, ETC, Manila Bulletin?s Style Weekend, Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, Transit, Velvet Channel, ANC, Studio 23, Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT, Y 101 Cebu, NU Rock 107, UR 105.9, XFm 92.3, People Asia, Metro, You , Fudge, Stella, FHM, T3, WHR, MNL, Bounce, Rouge, Circuit, Clavel, Area, Leisurezcene, Pinoyexchange.com, Clickthecity.com, Yehey.com, SummitDigital, Philstar.com, Spot.ph, Munchpunch.com, Oliver?s Super Sandwiches, Friendster, Killer Bee, Bigfish Radio on Magic 89.9, and of course, MST Life.

Tickets go for only P600, pre-sold at Folded & Hung, Music One and Odyssey branches. Door charge is P800 inclusive of one drink. To avail of VIP tables, contact Bigfish at 0921-8380133, 634-8238, or 632-7762. Cyberfreaks can go to www.bigfishmanila.com.