In a chat with Florian Mélinette, the co-founder of FuFu and Hong Kong-based DJ, we uncover his journey in the local music scene. From his earlier work with Shi Fu Miz, Mélinette has now teamed up with the 宀 team to create the brand-new event series Wild Lotus in September.
"I have been a music lover since my childhood, always been curious to discover more music and more genres of music from all around the world," Mélinette reflects. This lifelong fascination led him to Hong Kong in 2013 after completing his studies in Shanghai, where he quickly immersed himself in the city's nascent electronic music community.
From DJ to Label Founder:
Mélinette's entry point was as a DJ, playing at events he was simultaneously promoting. Soon after, he launched his own record label, FuFu Records, with a mission to spotlight Asia-based producers. "During COVID, the record label moved to a new approach of focusing only on Asian producers as there is so many talents all around Asia who needs more visibility compared to European or American producers," he explains.
The Rise of Shi Fu Miz and Sunda Festival
The ideas for his landmark events, Shi Fu Miz and Sunda Festival, crystallized as Mélinette sought to bring his unique vision to life. "Creating a festival has always been part of the project I wanted to do inside my company FuFu, the question was how to make it happen, where and with who," he says.
Shi Fu Miz, a collaboration with the renowned French collective La Mamie's, has become a fixture on Hong Kong's cultural calendar, offering a distinct international perspective. In contrast, the Sunda Festival in Singapore, partnered with the Ice Cream Sundays crew, leans more regional in its programming and creative direction.
The Shi Fu Miz music and art festival created by FuFu and La Mamie's is back in Cheung Chau from November 8-10, 2024. The festival will have a brand new 3-day format this year, showcasing the best in Hong Kong's vibrant music and art scenes.
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How to Create Something Special
"Both festivals have some common points, but the vision of Shi Fu Miz is more international and Sunda more regional in terms of creativity, bookings..." Mélinette notes. Regardless of the specific focus, the overarching goal is to cultivate events that ignite excitement and a sense of discovery among attendees.
Championing Asian & Homegrown Talent
As Mélinette looks to the future, he remains committed to championing Asian talent. "There is more and more Asian talents who gains in visibility and this is great," he affirms, citing examples of Hong Kong-based artists like Mr Ho and Xiaolin who have captivated local and international audiences.
The Big Picture: What Lies Head
While PITCH has come to an end, Mélinette is excited to unveil a new project in September, collaborating with a fresh partner. Shi Fu Miz will return to Hong Kong this November for its seventh edition, while Sunda Festival is planning a pop-up event in Singapore this October, with the main festival slated for April 2025.
Hong Kong's Newest Daytime Music Experience: Wild Lotus
The teams behind 宀 and FuFu collective are bringing an exciting new event series to Hong Kong with the launch of Wild Lotus.
Slated for Saturday, September 7th from 5PM to 12AM, the inaugural "Wild Lotus: Blooming" party will take over the G.I.G. space at Ovolo Southside. Billed as a nomadic celebration of eclectic sounds, Wild Lotus aims to offer a unique music experience in the daylight hours.
Wild Lotus lineup
for this first edition features a mix of electronic and live music talents. Headlining the event are Japanese artists Soichi Terada, performing live, and Chida. Local support comes from Hong Kong DJs Chingyi and the Fader Crew collective. Rounding out the program is a bboys showcase by The 852 Underdogz and visuals from VJ Akira Mimasu.
Tickets for "Wild Lotus: Blooming" are available now, with pricing starting at HK$280 for advance sales. Group discounts are also offered for parties of 5 or more through the Tiks Asia platform.
This is sure to be an unmissable debut for Hong Kong's newest daytime music event series.
With FuFu Records also set to release several compilations this year, Mélinette's passion for elevating Asia's sonic landscape shows no signs of waning. As he continues to shape the region's music scene, Mélinette's unwavering vision and commitment to community-building have solidified his status as a true visionary in the industry.
