Red Bull 3Style: Thailand Finals 2017
Red Bull 3Style has been around since 2010. The unique world-wide DJ Championship sets out to find the best DJ every year, who can take their skills to another level and woo a global crowd. The annual competition kicks-off in May when DJs from around the world can each submit a 5-minute #3STYLE performance video to be considered in the first round.
DJs who manage to impress the judges are announced in June and can begin to prepare themselves to compete in the National Finals in their respective countries from September throughout November. The competition will ultimately end with a Final Event, where winners from the world tour and 3 global wild cards compete for the title of Red Bull 3Style Champion and bragging rights for the year. In 2016 the finals were held far out west in Santiago, Chile but will be moving to Eastern Europe this year and will be held in Krakow, Poland.
Joining the ranks of over 20 other host countries, Thailand a hotspot for emerging DJs, will be hosting one of the many National Finals on the world tour route. The Red Bull 3Style: Thailand Finals 2017 will be happening on October 7th, 2017 at Ce La Vi Bangkok between 20:00 - 02:00 and it is definitely an event that music lovers from all walk of life can look forward to attending.
A total of 6 Thailand-based DJs, who are all exceptional in their craft, have been identified through the video auditions and are vying for their chance to represent Thailand at the Red Bull 3Style Championships, including:
This pool of talent will be joined by DJ BYTE, the reigning Red Bull 3Style Champion, DJ Hedspin, the 2011 Red Bull 3Style Champion from Canada, and DJ Bomber Selecta, the 2 time Thailand Red Bull 3Style Champion as well as DEE JAY B, who will all be putting on a show for all to witness.
The competition ensures that what you will experience is not your usual club DJ set that you experience on your typical night out. The word #3STYLE comes from the requirement that each DJ must be able to play at least 3 genres of music during their set. The live competition format gives the DJs 15-minutes each, during which they must take the crowd and judges on a musical journey. Each DJ is judged on 4 main criteria including (1) originality by creating something new and creative, (2) skills from mixing to live music editing, (3) music selection, and finally (4) crowd response.
Criteria 1: Originality (40%)
Challenges the DJs to showcase something that has never been done before rather take an established style and copy it. Over the lifespan of the 8-year competition multiple innovative styles have been placed on display. Judges appreciate the ability of a DJ to blow the crowd’s mind with unique tricks that make people say “how the hell did he do that?!”
Criteria 2: Skills (25%)
The part that all DJs must have to be worthy of standing on the podium. In order to bring the fire, the DJs must master:
- Mixing:
arrangement & sequence of music, flow & pacing of the set, timing of transitions (beat matching, fading, etc).
- Live Editing of the Music:
including (but not limited to) beat juggling, scratching, musical use of cue points.
- Reading the Crowd:
how the DJ adapts to the crowd during the performance.
- Overall Presentation:
how the DJ combines these skills with their music selection in a balanced manner.
Criteria 3: Music Selection (20%)
Allows DJs to set themselves apart. There is an easy way to rock the crowd with the usual club bangers, but how can a DJ pick something all the way from left field and surprise the unsuspecting listener. Selecting something fresh guarantees a solid set.
Criteria 4: Crowd Response (15%)
Ultimately the heart of a DJ set. No matter how good the DJ claims to be, if the crowd does not feel the tracks being played or the style the music is portraying, then winning is out of the question. If you have the heart and ears of the crowd, then you know you are worthy.
It is fairly clear, the stage is set for a crazy night on the turntables on October 7th, 2017 at Ce La Vi Bangkok. The rules have been set to enable a champion worthy of the title to arise. Do not miss out on the chance to witness the event live because it is about to go down in history as one HOT night!
Follow Red Bull 3Style’s official Facebook page or their website for the latest updates.
Words by Tang Kalayanamit
Images by Siam2nite & Red Bull