Looking for some great nights out this coming party season? Angela Beitz meets Abu Dhabi event organiser Jonny McCarthy from Decadent Entertainment to find out how it all began and what’s next for the brand.
Whether you know the name or not, you’ll probably be familiar with Decadent Entertainment because they host some of the best nights out the city has to offer. Decadent was born out of a frustration at the lack of quality music nights in Abu Dhabi. We find out how it all came about and what you can expect this season.
So you are the driving force behind Decadent Entertainment. Tell us more. How did it start?
Decadent wasn’t my idea, but is certainly something that I am proud to front here in Abu Dhabi. The story of Decadent began over three years ago, and it was long-term best friend Darrell Jacques and DJ Jono Bradford who initially set up the business. Through our first steps as an events company we have helped deliver events at One-to-One Hotel, Cinnabar at the Hilton, Rush, Left Bank and, of course, Pearls & Caviar at the Shangri-La Hotel.
What do you think of the music and nightlife scene in the city?
Abu Dhabi is often seen as the quieter brother to Dubai down the road, but one thing that we have found is that if you play good music and you have quality DJs then people will come. Yes Dubai has the bright lights and the big club brands, but there is plenty to be said for the Abu Dhabi nightlife scene. These days it’s different, we have new companies running events, and with F1 round the corner we have the eyes of the world on us.
You guys seem to be hosting nights all over the city, where can people hear you play? And what’s your favourite venue to attend?
With Ramadan recently ending, this is a quiet period for us of course in the way of events, but probably the busiest time of the year when it comes to planning for the year ahead. Due to the success we have had with our events we have had quite some interest from venues and club owners which I hope is a good refection for the hard work we have put in over the last few years. As for favourite venue? Well that’s always
a difficult question to answer, the capital has everything depending on your mood.
Clearly you’re passionate about music, but what’s the best thing about your job?
It has to be the music. Of course it is a cliché, but growing up listening to all sorts of music, once you start to work with real DJs you soon realise that you know only a very small fraction of the music that is out there.
What has been your most memorable night out on the town in Abu Dhabi?
One of the best nights I remember has to be Urban Education at Pearls & Caviar. We had an American DJ over called Tony Touch. He had collaborated with artist such as Wu-Tang Clan, Busta and Eminem. I’ve never seen a crowd like it. Tony Touch and Rone Jaxx together playing outdoors, looking up at the stars. Still makes me smile even now.
What’s the best tune to get a crowd started?
I’ve seen quite a few tunes turn it up in Abu Dhabi. I guess it depends who is playing it and at what time. For me, no one gets the party started like Biggie Smalls. Hypnotize does it for me every time. No one has mastered the ‘ummmph’ like Biggie did. I’ve got old pirate tapes of him walking out live on stage, and no one could get the crowd going like he did! He wouldn’t even need to say a world, and the crowd would be in uproar.
Who do you admire in the biz?
Quite a lot of people come to mind. Doing the job I do, I’ve been lucky enough to work with some fantastic DJs. DJ Jono Bradford (who still DJs for us!) Cliff Townley, DJ Kaboo, DJ Soulninja (who won last year’s Pioneer DJ of the Year 2012) and DJ B-Luv – our most recent DJ who’s really making a strong impression with the crowd each time he plays. Also, on the house scene you have of course Natalie Brogan, who is fantastic, and the Immaculate Touch guys, Chad and Stew, who do their thing on Al Maya Island.
But I think for ability and musical knowledge, no one beats Rone Jaxx. I’ve had the pleasure of working with him for well over two years, and he manages to surprise me each and every week. Rone is all about the pure music, and I’m yet to meet anyone who has the musical knowledge and ability that he has.
You can catch Rone Jaxx every Saturday night at Rush for their popular Crew Lounge party from 9pm. More events are soon to come during August and September. www.decadententertainment.com
