THE MAX FACTOR

In which our man at the turntables, MAX CHIPCHASE, braves the biting cold in Beijing, then hits the high notes in Singapore

ANYONE COULD BE forgiven for thinking that January would be a quiet month. After the long buildup to Christmas, followed by a New Year blow out, you’d assume that things would be quiet on the party front. However, in my experience this is rarely the case – and this year proved no exception, with two big events in Beijing and Singapore.

Having spent a fabulous New Year in Phuket at Amanpuri, I returned to Hong Kong to meet my manager, Assia Graioli-Venier, who, by a wonderful twist of fate, happened to be in town on holiday with her husband, Stefano. Since it was the first time that either of them had been here for any length of time, I was eager to show them the sights – so I adopted the role of tour guide for a week of shopping, sightseeing, wining, dining and dancing.

There was barely a moment to breathe, and by the end of it they left for the UK exhausted, mercifully giving me a few days to recover before my next trip to Beijing, to play at the opening party for the new John Lobb store.

It had already been a little chilly in Hong Kong after coming from LA and Phuket, but I knew this was nothing compared to what awaited me in Beijing. I prepared for the worst, packed multiple layers and headed off on my adventure.

My expectations were confirmed as soon as I stepped out of the airport. I can’t say exactly what the temperature was, but I was under no doubt that it was well below zero. Fortunately, it turned out that the event was taking place at the hotel I was staying in, since it connects with the mall where the store is located. I checked into my room, called for room service and settled down for the evening, relieved in the knowledge that I needn’t step out into the icy chill again until my departure.

The event, which took place the following evening in the restaurant and bar area adjacent to the lobby of the China World Hotel, turned out to be a huge success. It was a glamorous crowd, with a number of international guests and a mix of all ages. The organisers had done a first-class job of turning the space into a super-chic, John Lobb-themed lounge for the guests, who took no time to get going – and then kept on rocking till the very end.

I flew back to Hong Kong the next day just in time to meet some old friends from the Middle East, who were visiting Hong Kong and Macau for the weekend. They’d flown in for a bachelor party and I’d previously undertaken to play host for the night while they were in Hong Kong. Despite the fact that I was still suffering from the gig the night before, I ensured they all had a memorable evening – that is, if any of them can remember it. Anyone seen The Hangover? Let’s just leave it at that.

With barely any time to spare, it was up and off the next day to Singapore for my next gig. This time I was playing at a corporate event in the magnificent Ku Dé Ta restaurant and club on the rooftop of the vast Marina Bay Sands resort.

I had prime position just outside the club and overlooking the pool, with the most breathtaking views of the city behind me. With a set-up like that it was hard not to be inspired, and for the rest of the night I cranked out the tunes to a highly appreciative audience of 2,000 guests who danced the night away on the stage, in the bar and even in the pool.

The following morning I went to check out and was amazed when some of the staff at the reception and in the lobby came to compliment me on the music. As it turned out, they could hear my whole set, which, when you think about it, is pretty remarkable considering I was 57 floors above them. Under the circumstances, I suppose you could say that my music is reaching new heights – or depths!