Claptone is a name we all know too well. Still managing to hide his true identity while shocking and awing the masses, the masked enigma has been dominating the dance world for half a decade – and his force only continues to rise. Illustrating his dominance, Claptone just reached a spectacular 1 million Facebook likes, in conjunction with this feat he has announced he will be giving away 1 million golden masks to his loyal patronage. Never ceasing to give back to his fanbase, Claptone also releases a hugely successful weekly ‘Clapcast’ podcast series which is streamed to 70 radio shows globally.
The list of affiliated artists Claptone sustains is nothing short of incredible, remixing stars such as the Gorillaz, New Order and Gregory Porter, Pet Shop boys, Rüfüs and more, his music has penetrated dance musics main artery and spread to every possible avenue that it can. Claptone plays over 260 shows per year at all the biggest festivals and events in the world and he even hosts his own adored Masquerade parties on a global scale. To add a exquisite cherry on the cake, he even had his own stage at this years installment of Tomorrowland.
After selling out over 3000 tickets for his Masquerade Ball at Melbourne’s Riva Bar in record time, there can be no doubt that Claptone is easily one of the most popular acts to visit Australia.
In a now long forgotten world, many generations ago, a bird like shape emerged from wooded darkness, oating and uttering, drifting and dreaming. Backlit by a bright glow of iridescent light, the undecipherable form wore a dazzling golden mask. Its long beak swooped down like an inverted horn and since then, people have referred to the mythical being simply as Claptone.
Years spending wandering medieval landscapes have informed Claptone’s view of the world, experiencing both magical mystery and muted melancholy he enchanted onlookers with occult instruments and beguiling sounds. Forever surrounded by a sense of intrigue, the world soon cottoned on to the elusive yet enchanting musical powers of this otherworldly beast. The results are that today his shamanistic sonic powers take him all around the world.
Yet despite the best e orts of the hungry masses, the mysterious Claptone still remains a mythical, little known gure who slips in and out of the shadows, leaving in his wake lasting musical experiences. Since hatching in 2012, he has continued to send people into a frenzy with his DJ sets, which are underpinned by supple grooves from the house world, are coloured with real soul and can jack you up or zone you out depending on the mood. For that reason, last year they won him countless awards from Miami to the White Isle.
To stay so private and unknown in the visual modern world of likes and photos is no mean feat, especially considering he plays more than 260 shows around the world each year. He does so as the centrepiece of his own immersive and otherworldly The Masquerade Events everywhere from Amnesia Ibiza to Webster Hall in NYC, and also with his Immortal Live shows at places like Melt! Festival, Coachella and SW4 as well as at Listen Out in Australia. In 2017, the mystical form and enchanting sonic conjurer takes the unique experience that is one of his Masquerade events to Paris, Miami and Venice, as well as his own stage at Tomorrowland. Yet because of his strong shamanistic powers, he leaves people spell bound and lost in music, rather than concerned about who or what it is they see before them. To keep his followers at bay, Claptone appeases them with musical trails, such as his weekly podcast, which is broadcast on more than 70 radio stations and has been downloaded more than ve million times. He also allows them into a little corner of his ephemeral world by o ering up his own t-shirts and masks, and continues to confound them with musical o erings. These include The Masquerade mixed by Claptone – a double CD release which was Mixmag’s album of the month – and soon will include his next o cial mix CD for Tomorrowland’s Daybreak Sessions, due in 2017, while his unique remixes of diverse international stars like Gorillaz, New Order and Gregory Porter, Pet Shop Boys and Faithless, Bastille and Metronomy continue to excite.
In order to soak in the music, emotions and colours of the world — as well as remaining a tirelessly and innovative creative force – Claptone stays anonymous and hides in unknown places and spaces. In turn, he then gives back by forging strong hedonistic vibes with his crowds and shows them a way to their own emotions. He empowers them, gives them hope and new energy, and will continue to do so well into the next life.
Tour Dates
FRI 17th November: Metro City, Perth
SAT 18th November: Harbour Life Festival, Sydney
SUN 19th November: Claptone Garden Party @ Room For A Pony, Hobart
THU 23rd November: Electric Rush, Queenstown
FRI 24th November: The Met, Brisbane
SAT 25th November: Grapevine, Rochford Winery
SAT 25th November: Masquerade Party @ Riva, Melbourne
SUN 26th November: Bohemian Beat Freaks, Byron Bay
