Local mixmaster DJ Butcher showcased his knife-sharp skills on the decks this weekend, slicing up the competition to take top prize in unique DJ contest Red Bull Thre3style.
Butcher was one of eight of Brisbane’s freshest local DJs showcasing their skills in front of a pumped local crowd at The Arena, which had the honour of hosting the first qualifier of Red Bull Thre3style as it hit Australian shores for the first time.
The contest had just one key rule – DJs had to rock the house by playing a selection of at least three genres or styles of music in their 15-minute sets. The innovative battle format rocked the party and showcased some of Brisbane’s best local talent, but it was DJ Butcher who really got the crowd going with his crazy mash-ups, mixing five different genres including hip hop, drumstep, funk, drum and base and rock.
Grégoire Zimmermann
On the Brisbane judging panel was DJ Katch of the Resin Dogs, local Brisbane DJ Sampology and Matt Fraser of Parklife. With more than 30 years of DJ and industry experience combined, the panel were impressed by the talent shown. “This is a great platform for DJs to showcase their skills as a 15 minute set doesn’t give you any room for error,” DJ Katch said.
“Most DJs have to keep hassling clubs to get a slot or do a lot of hard yards before they get to play on a stage like this, so it’s a really great opportunity for up and coming DJs to make a name for themselves,” Katch added.
Not only does Red Bull Thre3style give DJs a platform to get noticed, but as the winning competitor from the Brisbane qualifier, DJ Butcher took home a cool $1,000 in cash and gained a place in the national final - to be held in Sydney on October 14th - where he will compete with leading DJ talent from the Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth qualifiers. The overall winner will then represent Australia in an all-expenses-paid trip to Vancouver to compete in the Red Bull Thre3Style World Final in December.
DJ Butcher may yet mix his way to Vancouver, but for now, he’s enjoying his local win. “The idea behind this event is great. I knew I had to appeal to the judges and the crowd so I played a mix of mainstream songs and big beats. I can’t wait to go to Sydney and improve on my set.” said DJ Butcher, who usually sticks to mixing hip hop beats.
Red Bull Thre3Style continues this coming Saturday 20th August at Upstairs Beresford (Surry Hills, NSW), which will host the Sydney qualifier. Catch headliner DJ Sampology and Sydney’s best DJs vying for the top spot.
Grégoire Zimmermann
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