Blurring the line between pop star and powerful man behind the scenes, Montreal techno artist Tiga has accomplished too many things to mention here. He is a world-renowned DJ, producer, remixer, songwriter and label owner who is credited with throwing the first ever rave in Canada. After a very long absence, he finally returns to Toronto with the Turbo Omnidance Tour.

There are many people in the world who know how to throw a killer party, and a lot of those people have even opened their own club to throw killer parties in. Among all his other accomplishments, Tiga also co-founded one of the best dance clubs in Canadian history back in the 90's. I sadly never made it to Sona in Montreal while Tiga was involved with the club, but I always heard great things about it.

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Tiga was literally born into the underground dance scene. His father was a Goa trance DJ and Tiga grew up following him to India for regular gigs. He himself started DJing in his teens and he's been a techno and electro trailblazer ever since.

His cover of Corey Hart's I Wear My Sunglasses At Night was one of the few classics to come out of the short-lived "Electroclash" movement in the early 2000's. After several underground releases and remixes, Tiga released Sexor, his full-length debut in 2006 (released in Canada on Last Gang Records). Filled with kitschy 80's-inspired electro pop hooks and style, it produced a handful of worldwide hits.

Tiga's last big show here in Toronto was at the Mod Club a couple years ago. I was there and the place was rammed. It was easily one of my favourite DJ sets in recent memory. Ever since CiRCA opened its doors I've been waiting for Tiga to play there. My wish is coming true this Friday when he and some of his Turbo Records labelmates light up the main room at Randomland.

Want to go for free? The tenth comment under this post gets two free tickets. Please include your email address. Good luck!

A.D/D. presents:
The Turbo Omnidance Tour at Randomland
Feat. Tiga, D.I.M. (GER), Thomas Von Party (MTL), Matt Walsh (UK)
CiRCA Nightclub
126 John Street
Doors 10pm
Tickets $15 advance at Rotate This, Soundscapes, Ticketweb

Photo: Last Gang Records.