With the world preparing for a complete lockdown because of the new Covid-19 Coronavirus, leading house music label Defected has organized a virtual music festival at Ministry of Sound; today, on Friday 20, from Ministry of Sound, Defected will live stream on Facebook and YouTube 12 hours of music, from 12 PM to 12 AM today, with different DJ sets from the label’s artists.
Defected will host round 2 of its Virtual Residency; check the live stream here
Detected Virtual Festival in depth
Defected Records has announced a series of digital activations offering its online community – the house music world’s largest at 5m+ – opportunities to engage with the brand and each other from the comfort of their own homes, following the postponement or cancellation of all live events in March and April due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Inspired from Defected successful live streams during Defected Croatia, London FSTVL and other label’s show, the imprint has decided to start with the inaugural edition of Defected Virtual Festival. On the schedule, 12 hours of house music to be streamed from clubbing institution Ministry of Sound in London, with DJs Simon Dunmore, Monki, Sam Divine, Low Steppa, The Shapeshifters, Melvo Baptiste, Joey Negro, Dan Shake and Darius Syrossian playing live sets and the incredible Glitterbox crew of dancers providing the dancefloor energy.
The concept for Defected Virtual Festival came from a wish to bring together house music lovers under Defected’s mantra In Our House We Are All Equal; while unable to travel or tour, Defected’s team led by owner Simon Dunmore knew they needed to think outside the box.
Music and clubbing are an escape for many and, with social gatherings being rightfully restricted, we wanted to connect people online in the hope that they appreciate they are not alone.
The reaction to Defected Virtual Festival has been incredible and we have been inundated with DJs and performers wanting to get involved. Our thoughts will remain with everyone affected by the current situation, but believe we have a role to remain positive, and bring people together however we’re able. – Simon Dunmore
Defected virtual activities during the time of Covid-19
Further upcoming digital activities will include a special extended version of the Defected Radio Show, a weekly show presented by Sam Divine which is syndicated to 170+ stations globally and available as a podcast with a reach of 20m+. Sam will be recording the special live with Simon Dunmore at his home studio, discussing the implications of the current situation for artists, DJs, and fans, as well as playing the freshest upfront house music.
Times are changing quickly, so our strategy is about being positive, harnessing the strength of many and leveraging the value of our incredible community. We want to ensure our brand is here to help, to give people what they want. We believe that In Our House We’re All Equal so we’re bringing people together through simple, all-access technology, using the power of social. We can still bring people together – we just need to think a little differently. – Defected CBO James Kirkham
Defected Virtual Festival and the radio show special will form part of an ongoing original content series from Defected that will grow weekly during the outbreak and subsequent lockdowns. Meanwhile, Defected’s channels are going behind the scenes to highlight how staff members are working to leverage the current hiatus from events. Every attention has now been focussed on supporting DJs and artists, promoting the incredible music being released now, and encouraging producers to spend time in the studio to innovate and create music for the future.
