Music for DJs and Cultural Freaks

Many of the headliners at club events are producer-DJs, and many of those artists have skills that favor their producer side, not necessarily their DJ side—this can lead to sets featuring so-so skills with good music. Bryan Gee, the head honcho of long-standing drum’n’bass label V Recordings is a DJ’s DJ, and the sort of DJ producers sweat to play their dubplates. His sets often feature the artists showcased on his label (which has included releases from Roni Size and his crew—Krust, DJ Die, Suv—as well as Ray Keith and Dillinja). He’s playing Direct Drive with locals DJ Seen and Raw Q. Fri @ 10, Rothko, 116 Suffolk, 212-475-7088, $10

The Austrian Cultural Forum, a mini-fest of experimental audio-visual performers, now in its fourth year, returns with more avant-garde, electronic, and pop musicians I’ve never heard of but who would probably be good to experience (a bit like eating your vegetables). Opening night, Lokai and Urbs perform: The former are ambient producers; the latter is on G-Stoned, the label that is also home to Kruder & Dorfmeister. Also of note: closing-night sets from Dienz/Maimone (Christof Dienz and Tony Maimone, Pere Ubu’s bassist) and the Klein Records showcase. Wed-Sat @ 8, Austrian Cultural Forum, 11 E 52nd, 212-319-5300, free

Detroit techno DJ Jeff Mills has re-emerged with an ambitious project called Blue Potential, a live recording of last year’s performance with the Montpellier Philharmonic Orchestra in France. He rewrote some of his work—including his classic track “The Bells”—for the orchestra. The performance marked the 20th anniversary of Pont du Gard’s inclusion on UNESCO’s world heritage list. (My head just exploded, that was so deep.) He spins at Pacha (Sat @ 10, 618 W 46th, 212-209-7500) and hosts a screening of the film with a Q&A.
Mon @ 7, Tribeca Grand, 2 Sixth Ave, 212-519-6600