Soundbombing - Rave on an aircraft carrier

The team behind the Great Wall Party and the Great Island Party have found another spectacular location for their latest event: a 1970s-era Russian aircraft carrier anchored at Binhai, Tianjin. We asked the Great Aircraft Carrier Party’s co-organizer DJ El-Mar what we can expect at the big bash this Saturday.

Whose idea was it to have a party on the carrier?
It was my idea, but the execution would have never been possible without my partner in crime, Suki.

What went into securing permission to hold the party on the carrier?
A lot of time spent traveling, explaining, compromising and drinking baijiu.

Have you run into any difficulties?
These kinds of parties are never easy [to organize]. We try to rule out any problems in advance and are very forward about how we do things. We hire extra security guards to make sure everyone involved is satisfied. So far it has worked out very well.

How is the party going to be set up on deck?
The dance floor is going to be the tarmac where the planes used to land and take off from. The ten DJs are going to be bombing you with sound from a stage on top of two anti-aircraft cannons. The bar will be on the deck as well.

What’s the sound system going to be like?
Big! We don’t really have neighbors in the area, so we can push it a little higher.

What kind of music can partygoers expect?
In my opinion, we have the best electronic music DJs Beijing has to offer. Patrick Yu is one of the best house DJs in Beijing, Mickey Zhang is a techno veteran and no one plays better drum & bass than Blackie. We also have established names like Ou Yang, Suki, Ludo V, Carlo and QQ playing. I’m going to play a nice energetic set to get everyone going; basically I am going to rock the boat!

Any tips for people planning on going to the event?
Buy tickets in advance. First of all, it’s cheaper – you’ll have a guaranteed seat on the bus and will make it a lot easier for us, because we have to book the coaches. Also, take a jumper in case it gets a little colder at night.

What next?
We have a lot of ideas. Some will take you underground and some might take you very high up. Nothing is confirmed yet, but it will be special for sure…

The Great Aircraft Carrier Party runs from 7pm-7am on Saturday, September 19 at Binhai Muzhu Park in Tianjin. For tickets and information call 136 8126 3981 (English). Buses leave Workers’ Stadium from 2pm and Wudaokou from 5pm. RMB 150 (entry only, no transport), RMB 250 (in advance, includes transport), RMB 300 (after September 15, includes transport). For more information see www.greataircraftcarrierparty.com