From vinyl to CDs to USBs, in the same vein, we are now introduced to the latest curious advancement in dance music technology for producers travelling worldwide. Cue Mixfy’s Clubcast service; a live streaming platform set up so that globally famous DJs can play multiple venues without even entering the country/continent.

Initially we are skeptical on the new technology being developed, that essentially creates an HD video feed of a DJs performance directly into a club premise from where ever they may be at the time ie another venue, in the kitchen, on the loo? Basically, the DJ can see the audience and the audience can see the DJ through a video.

The technology has already received a $1.8 million cash injection from Australia’s CMB Capital, Tim McGee and Richard Mergler of Ministry of Sound Australia, DJ Tommy Trash, and others. So trust Tommy to be flopping his hair around in the promo video trying to pretend he’s an innocent ‘tester’ giving his seal of approval… (seriously)

Expected scepticism behind this idea is; does it kill the value of a set in the club? The first thing that came through my head was, ‘really? Has it come to this?’ A game of dollars and cents as opposed to a performance and human interaction. It’d be similar to Boiler Room charging pay-per-view for a set from T Williams or the crazy animatronic dick-nosed producer Anklepants.

On the other side of the fence sits the idea that people also go to clubs for the entertainment value of a light show, dancers, performers etc. A technology like this could then put the ball back into the club’s owner’s corner, lowering the cost of having Tiesto ‘play in the club’ and allow for better support acts etc.

The novelty value of the idea is there. It’s cute and to me, comes across as a glorified drunken Skype call that you will see but kills the concepts of feeling the performance. Will clubs see beyond the short term novelty value? What will the cost be versus having the artist live and in the venue? Will Tony Abbott’s slow internet be able to handle it?

These questions will need to be answered in due time before people decide to embrace or reject the concept!