SINCITY’S SOLID ON SURFERS SYNERGY

DJ TUNING UP HIS ACT WHILE OFF THE ROAD

A GOLD Coast DJ and producer wasn’t going to quit after having his “jam-packed” touring schedule canned due to coronavirus.

Mitch Woodward, 34, who goes by the name of Highup, has spent the past couple of months working on new music. He released his new song

yesterday, which he says is more “melodic and soulful” than his usual bassheavy tracks.

“I am so pleased with how it all came together,” he says. “I wanted to produce a song that people could listen to anywhere and everywhere, from in the car to at home by the fire or at a Sunday sunset session and I think

has nailed it.

“(The song) has a smooth rhythmic arrangement with romantically powerful lyrics and a soulful LA beach vibe.”

The single was signed with label Smash the House, founded by Belgian DJs and producers Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike.

DJ Highup is already working on more new music and said even though he had big touring plans for 2020, he is embracing the downtime and using it to pump out tracks.

“There is always a silver lining,” he says. “Even though I’m not performing this year, I am still working hard behind the scenes, getting creative with my brand and, of course, always working on music.”

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SLEEP easy Usain Bolt – your favourite Glitter Strip nightclub haunt SinCity will be alive and pumping in Surfers Paradise if you ever return to the Gold Coast.

The sprint legend pretty much took up residency at the infamous nightspot during the Commonwealth Games.

But SinCity’s future took a blow just after the coronavirus shutdown when its landlord Bada Bing Holdings locked its operator out.

Bada Bing Holdings, as trustee for the family trust of Melbourne accountant and SinCity building owner David Brandi, has lodged court action suing SinCity operating company Rockbah for alleged sixfigure rent arrears.

No defence has been filed but ATG understands a spirited counterclaim is likely and the fur will be flying in court over this one. According to one source, the court battle is likely to be as action-packed as a night in a VIP booth at the Orchid Ave club.

But irrespective of that dispute, Artesian Hospitality partner Matt Keegan, whose hospitality stable retains the SinCity brand, says he can confirm the club will return – and it will be in Surfers.

“As far as SinCity goes, it will live on in one form or another – notwithstanding the stuff going on – it will continue. The fact we are no longer there in that spot isn’t going to stop us continuing with it somewhere else. Whether SinCity continues in the site it was or elsewhere, it will always stay in Surfers Paradise.

“SinCity and Surfers Paradise go hand-in-hand,” Mr Keegan tells ATG of the venue, which famously ran seven nights a week and employs lingerie waitresses and topless male entertainers.

Mr Keegan said the uncertainty around SinCity’s future by the lockout and court battle had meant a difficult time for some of its senior and long-serving staff, including VIP hosts.

“It has been tough having some conversations with everyone about it,” he said.

The Bada Bing court action comes after the Bulletin revealed in April Rockbah felt it had renegotiated a rent reduction and had been paying $10,000 a week for three months without complaint.

Mr Keegan has previously claimed the landlord and its agent only raised issues with the rent reduction when the COVID-19 epidemic start.

He declined to comment on any potential defence planned against the Bada Bing suit seeking $268,000 and filed in the Southport District Court.