TuneLab
Richie Blacker - DJ Set
A DJ set broadcast from an ancient Irish stone fort? Of course we’re intrigued. Richie Blacker understands the drama of the location, using it to frame a set that’s both deeply atmospheric and relentlessly driving. The vibe is windswept and epic, with the music fighting against the natural silence of the remote landscape.
This is tech house with a progressive, almost trancey heart, locking into a propulsive 124.3 BPM groove and frequently exploring the moody, driving keys of 7A and 12A. The energy is a potent cocktail of punchy, rounded low-ends and shimmering, melodic mid-range hooks, creating a sense of forward momentum that’s perfect for both dancing and gazing at the horizon. The opening with Thomas Newman’s ‘Ghosts’ from the *American Beauty* score is a stroke of genius, setting a cinematic, melancholic tone.
Hot Since 82’s ‘The End’ provides an early dose of classic, vocal-led deep house warmth. The refix of Reflekt’s ‘Need to Feel Loved’ is the obvious, heart-swelling peak moment, while Sébastein Léger’s ‘Stevie’ offers a slick, percussive workout. They start with the haunting ambience of ‘Ghosts’, climb to the emotional summit of ‘Need to Feel Loved’, and race towards the finish line with Fideles’ driving ‘Ran Baran’.