In the early 2000s, Delhi’s nightlife paled in comparison to its global counterparts—until a visionary talent booker and the owner of Elevate nightclub sparked a revolution, bringing bold ambition to life. Nestled in Centrestage Mall (now DLF Mall), Elevate wasn’t just another nightclub when it opened its doors in 2004. Conceived by Monty Chadha, it was a daring experiment aimed at rivaling the iconic club scenes of London, New York, and Tokyo.
But what many didn’t know was that behind its pulsating beats and packed dance floors stood a Nepali tastemaker who curated lineups that would define the city’s Electronic Dance Music (EDM) culture. This talent booker, armed with a deep understanding of global sounds and the raw energy of India’s youth, turned Elevate into a phenomenon.
Elevate wasn’t just a nightclub—it was a statement. With ambitions to match the prestige of Shanghai’s Elevator, Tokyo’s Womb, Singapore’s Zouk, and Hong Kong’s Prism, it promised more than a night out. Monty Chadha spared no expense, installing cutting-edge sound systems and booking high-profile international DJs, bringing Delhi’s nightlife roaring into the global arena. It wasn’t long before Elevate earned the title of the Best Nightclub in India, forever transforming Delhi into a hub for electronic music, and cementing its place in the global EDM map.
A key figure in this transformation was Shital Singh, hailing from Kathmandu. Monty reached out to Singh’s talent booking agency, sharing a vision as ambitious as it was improbable—one that would elevate Delhi’s club scene to international prominence. After hearing Monty’s vision, Singh knew he had to bring the world’s elite DJs to Elevate. But securing these musical luminaries was no simple task. Used to performing on meticulously curated global stages, these DJs demanded nothing less than perfection. Singh had to navigate exhaustive background checks, scrutinizing every aspect of Elevate’s operations—from its organizational integrity to the cultural resonance of its audience. To win their trust, Singh had to position Elevate not just as a nightclub, but as a true outpost of the global electronic music scene, worthy of standing shoulder to shoulder with the legendary clubs of New York, Tokyo, Berlin, Miami, and London.
Delhi Meets the World
In early 2006, Shital Singh accomplished what felt like an impossible dream: booking DJ Sasha to perform at Elevate. Always in demand and consistently ranked among the Top 10 DJs since 1997, Sasha wasn’t just an artist—he was a phenomenon. His pull was so magnetic that a group of dedicated fans, myself included, flew from Kathmandu to Delhi solely to witness his electrifying set. It was a pilgrimage.
Sasha was more than a DJ—he was a cultural icon, a name that carried a kind of reverence that transcended the dance floor. For me, the night held an even deeper meaning. In 2003, I had written a cover story for WAVE magazine titled “God is a DJ,” an ode that sought to immortalize Sasha in the eyes of Kathmandu’s nascent EDM scene. The article didn’t just praise his technical brilliance; it elevated him to a near-mythical status, declaring him the undisputed king of EDM.
Sasha’s music is more than sound—it is an experience, an entry point into something transcendent. Among Delhi’s electronic music community, the anticipation for his set at Elevate was electric, brimming with the kind of fervor reserved for once-in-a-lifetime moments. This was the chance to witness a living legend at the peak of his powers, and for those of us who made the journey, it was nothing short of extraordinary.
When the night finally arrived, Smirnoff’s extensive promotion ensured a packed house, and though there was a 45-minute wait to enter, the anticipation was palpable. Once inside, the energy was electric as Sasha took his place behind the decks. He set the tone immediately, crafting a seamless blend of progressive house, electro, and a touch of trance that kept the crowd in constant motion. With each track, he elevated the energy, ramping up the tempo with infectious, funky effects. As the night wore on, Sasha pushed the crowd further, bringing them to a euphoric peak during the fourth hour when he dropped Orbital’s "Nothing Left" from Global Underground Ibiza. The shift to harder, electro-driven sounds marked a bold departure from the ethereal vibes of earlier in the set, showcasing Sasha’s unmatched skill. Tracks from Renaissance pulsed through the venue, and when he dropped his own "Wavy Gravy," the crowd was given a brief yet welcomed respite before diving back into the night’s relentless energy.
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As dawn approached, Sasha’s energy showed no sign of slowing down. He extended his set well past 6:30 AM, dropping iconic tracks like Killa Hurtz’s "West On 27th" and Schiller’s "Ruhe." By this point, the crowd was lost in the music, dancing as if there were no tomorrow, their faces alive with joy. For many, it was their first experience of a DJ set of this caliber, and it was clear they were witnessing something extraordinary. What unfolded wasn’t just a mind-blowing show; it was a master class in EDM, with Sasha guiding the crowd through a sonic journey that felt transcendent.
What made that night truly unforgettable, however, wasn’t just Sasha’s flawless performance—it was the profound realization that Delhi’s dance music scene had officially arrived on the global stage. With Sasha’s performance, Delhi was no longer a passive spectator in the world of EDM. The doors had swung wide open for international talent to bring their sounds to the subcontinent. For those lucky enough to witness it, there was no denying it: India had just experienced a landmark moment in its ascent to the forefront of the global EDM stage.
In fact, after Sasha’s unforgettable set in Delhi, a survey by DJ Mag, the London-based authority on dance music, ranked Elevate as the world’s 35th best nightclub for its music. Shital Singh, building on that momentum, brought other EDM heavyweights like John Digweed, Tiësto, and ATB to Elevate, further cementing Delhi’s place as a true powerhouse in the global EDM scene.
Sasha: The Pioneer
DJ Sasha, born Alexander Paul Coe, has long been a pioneering figure in the world of EDM. Raised in Bangor, Wales, he began his career spinning at the local Student Union and small venues, quickly gaining recognition in the underground music scene. His journey in music began in the 80s, inspired by Manchester’s “The Haçienda” and the acid house movement, laying the foundation for an illustrious career as a DJ, producer, and remixer.
Sasha’s early work helped define the progressive house sound of the 90s, and his performances were celebrated for elevating the role of the DJ from mere entertainer to live music creator. As one of the first DJs to experience the rockstar lifestyle—private jets, lucrative bookings, and international fame—he became an iconic figure in EDM, revered for his technical skills and emotional depth behind the decks.
A pivotal moment in Sasha’s career came with his remix of Madonna's "Sky Fits Heaven." After this remix, he was hailed for its ability to transform the original track into a powerful global anthem. By blending emotional depth with infectious beats while staying true to Madonna’s artistic essence, the remix not only elevated the song but also showcased Sasha’s innovative approach to dance music. This track helped catapult Sasha into the global mainstream, solidifying his reputation as one of the genre’s most influential figures. The remix didn’t just capture the zeitgeist of the time—it became a defining piece of dance music, with heavy rotation on MTV further amplifying its reach and Sasha's prominence in the global music scene.
In recent years, Sasha has turned his attention to studio work, producing ambient masterpieces like “Scene Delete” while continuing to enthrall audiences with his live performances. With a career adorned by numerous accolades, including a Grammy nomination, Sasha remains a towering presence in the dance music world. His recent appearances at prestigious events such as Glastonbury are a testament to his enduring brilliance in the ever-changing landscape of electronic music.
Despite the evolution of the genre, Sasha's influence remains profound. His contributions were formally honored when Bangor University awarded him an honorary doctorate in music. The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew Edwards, praised Sasha for his outstanding creative achievements and his transformative impact on the electronic music scene, solidifying his legacy as a true pioneer.
Scoring Da Vinci in the Digital Age
Sasha’s latest endeavor, Da Vinci Genius, marks another milestone in his extraordinary career. This groundbreaking exhibition reimagines the iconic works of Leonardo da Vinci by merging Renaissance artistry with cutting-edge 21st-century technology.The project seamlessly fuses Renaissance art with AI-driven visual effects and Sasha’s evocative, genre-defying soundtrack.
This exhibition represents a meeting of eras: the analog mastery of da Vinci and the digital fluency of modern creators. Through AI, the Mona Lisa shatters into a cascade of digital fragments, while da Vinci’s other celebrated works morph into glitchy, electronic distortions. Sasha’s 17-track score mirrors this interplay, melding the elegance of classical music with the energy of electronic production. Released under Night Time Stories on November 29, 2024, the album invites listeners into a soundscape that balances reverence with reinvention.
The creation of Sasha’s score for Da Vinci Genius was fraught with unique challenges. Collaborating with Dennis White, Dave Gardner, and Barry Jamieson, Sasha composed the soundtrack without direct access to the exhibition, instead relying on mood boards and conceptual briefings. Drawing on inspirations like medieval choral music and the cinematic compositions of Steve Reich and Nils Frahm, the result is a daring blend of classical and modern elements.
Sasha described his process as taking something classical and “flipping it on its head,” crafting a soundscape that engages in a contemporary dialogue with da Vinci’s brilliance. Premiered in Berlin in 2021 and Amsterdam later, Da Vinci Genius is now captivating audiences in India, underscoring the timeless relevance of da Vinci’s vision and the boundless possibilities of merging art and technology.
After captivating audiences in Berlin and Amsterdam, Da Vinci Genius made its Indian debut on November 30, 2024, at Mumbai's Nesco Center, where it ran until December 15. The immersive art exhibition, conceived by Phoenix Immersive and brought to India by Theia Enterprise in collaboration with Black Tie Production, reimagined Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpieces through a cutting-edge blend of AI and electronic music. Following its Mumbai premiere, the exhibition will embark on a two-year tour across India, visiting major cities such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, offering a visionary experience for art and music enthusiasts.
Delhi’s Changing EDM Scene
Elevate’s legacy, much like Sasha’s pioneering artistry, is a testament to the transformative power of music and vision. For one glorious night, a nondescript mall in Delhi became the epicenter of a seismic cultural shift, marking India’s entry into the global EDM scene. As the sun rose over Delhi and Sasha’s final beats resonated into the morning air, it wasn’t just the end of a legendary set; it was the dawn of a new era. An era where India’s dance floors would no longer be on the periphery but at the heart of the global conversation.
For those of us fortunate enough to experience it, that night at Elevate wasn’t just history in the making—it was a movement, a memory, and a promise of all the possibilities still to come. The era that followed saw a flourishing of progressive house DJs, who carried forward the underground spirit that had made Elevate iconic.
Yet, the echoes of Elevate’s golden years persist, a poignant reminder of a time when every beat felt groundbreaking, every set an exploration, and every night a journey into the unknown. Those who danced through that era know that its legacy lives on—not just in the history of Delhi’s music scene, but in the hearts of all who witnessed its transformative power.Elevate was more than a venue; it was a cultural touchstone that shaped an entire generation of music lovers, offering a space where music, innovation, and community collided in ways that were both unprecedented and unforgettable.
Shital Singh’s masterful talent acquisition strategy and Monty Chadha’s bold vision converged to redefine the identity of Elevate, transforming it from a mere nightclub into a global cultural epicenter. Singh’s relentless drive attracted world-renowned electronic music acts, while Chadha’s foresight anchored the venue as a beacon of innovation. Together, they turned Elevate into the pulsating heart of an electronic music revolution, bridging international artistry with a local audience hungry for new experiences. Their efforts not only reshaped the nightlife and dance music landscape in Delhi but also served as a testament to the latent potential of cities like Kathmandu—a city on the cusp of its own sonic awakening. As Elevate once revolutionized Delhi’s underground, Kathmandu too yearns for a renaissance that amplifies its unique rhythm on the global stage.
Perhaps it is time for Sasha to bring his transformative alchemy to the heart of Thamel—to step onto the stage at Lord of Drinks (LOD) and ignite a long-overdue renaissance in Nepal’s EDM scene, which has grown undeniably stale. LOD, for all its promise, will never attain the iconic stature it aspires to until Sasha steps onto its stage, infusing it with the pioneering spirit that turned Elevate into a force to be reckoned with on the global stage. A club's true measure, its place in history, is not defined by its size or décor, but by a single, undeniable truth: if Sasha has graced its stage.
