04 Nov, 2002:  Dance music's first lady Sonique announced for New Year's Eve party

Cream to host New Year's Eve party in Blackpool - Line ups just announced for End Of Year Party extravaganza

Cream are set to relive the magic that was seen at Cream's 10th Birthday Party over the festive season, as they exclusively announce their plans for the Boxing Night & New years Eve 2002! Italian Superstar DJ Mauro Picotto, the man whose responsible for taking his trademark mix of trance & techno to the masses, will be carrying his arsenal of vinyl to both events, and delivering a sonic assault on both dancefloors, to get those feet warmed up for some serious dancing.

Following on from the 2 previous sell out shows in Blackpool, Cream have chosen the magnificent Empress Ballrooms as their backdrop to their biggest date of the year, hosting three Arenas including Future Trance, Feel Madhatters Ball and SugarBear. Mauro will be joining the 5500 beautiful people in the Future Trance Arena, and will be joined by dance music's first lady Sonique, Scott Bond, John Kelly and George Thompson. Keeping the party vibe alive in the Feel Arena will be the Mad Hatters Ball (Bring your own hat…make an effort!), with Allister Whitehead, Tom Wainwright, Da Mentalistz and Richard Napier. Bringing a touch of Ibizan balearica back to the UK, the eclectic vibes in Room 3 will be provided by SugarBear, the freshest club in the Northwest presents Stanton Warriors, Justin Robertson, Louis Edwards (Cream Sonyminidisc Resident 2003) and SugarBear Resident Andy Purdon.      

Cream's unbeatable sound and light show plus festival frolics including fire-eaters and Mardi Gras performers complete the carnival, add to this a granted 6a.m. bar licence and this looks set to be one of the more diverse entertaining debauched social gatherings this year. This event will also be broadcast live on Rock FM.

Boxing night sees Cream return to its spiritual home Nation in Liverpool for their traditional Christmas carousal. This has and will always remain an important date in the Cream event calander, and will be the first visit back to Liverpool since their 10th Anniversary weekend.

Boxing Night is always a firm favourite with the Cream faithful! Operating a full house, in the Main Room the usual suspects are of course Mauro Picotto, John Kelly, Guy Ornadel & Paul Bleasdale. Recreating the memorable birthday party atmosphere in the Annexe, to do it all over again Cream brings together Seb Fontaine, Jon Carter & Louis Edwards, another birthday highlight and one to watch for next year is DJ Montana from Holland. He will be joined by Cream favourites K-Klass and Paul Kane (Desert) in the Lomax.

Tickets available from: Cream Ticket Line: Tel: 0870 242 7326,
Ticketmaster (24hr) 0870 902 0001: Blackpool Live Box Office - NYE: 01253 292029

web resource:    www.cream.co.uk

02 Oct, 2002:  Sonique supposed to join one-off Cardiff gig on Nov. 2nd

Cream is continuing its 10th anniversary celebrations with a special event in Cardiff. Sonique will be headlining along with her DJ mate Judge Jules and Mauro Picotto the gig at the Cardiff International Arena on November 2nd, 2002. They will be joined at the 5500 capacity venue by Danny Slade, Marco V and Big Al.

web resource:    www.cream.co.uk

22 July, 2002:  Sonique's not quitting for a time yet!

If you were at Torquay's CreamX10 event, you'll have known for sure Sonique wasn't about to quit DJing any time soon. About two thirds of the way through her set, she died the music down ... about two tracks after singing "I'm a DJ" over the top of one of the records ... and told everyone in no uncertain terms, that she wasn't going to be giving up DJing to live the superstar life, and not to believe any of these reports about her supposedly wanting to quit.
She then turned the music up loud and continued to sing "I'm a DJ" over the top of it and the cheering crowd.
                Thanks to UK fan Lee G for this report!

14 July, 2002:  Sonique performed in South Africa

According to a report of Sonique's no.1 fan in South Africa, 19 year-old Bernadene Klein, the diva had an amazing appearance at a place called Gallager Estate. Sonique's continuous ability to keep the crowd dancing with an unique style in mixing the records let arouse serious doubts if she really wanted to quit as a DJ. At least, don't miss the chance, if you have, to see her live at the turntables and the mic. She's better than ever but it could be your last chance to see her performing!

another source:    Realsa.co.za

Click on left image to download an enlarged version of the flyer (600 x 866 px, 126 kB).

03 July, 2002:  Sonique will co-headline main arena at CreamX10

Cream tenth anniversary tour heading south to Torquay, English Riviera. Sonique and Fergie will headline the main arena at CreamX10 at the Riviera Centre on July 20. Also on the bill are Matt Hardwick, Anne Savage, Ian Mckenzie, Tom Rox, DJP and Charma. The Torquay date follows successful CreamX10 outings in Blackpool and Newcastle. Tickets are on sale now. Further details are available from www.rivieracentre.co.uk or www.cream.co.uk/creamx10.

28 June, 2002:  Sonique to play Zenith in Ibiza

Zenith in Ibiza has announced its full DJ line-up for the season. Playing regular sets at the Saturday night residency will be Sandy Rivera, Todd Terry, DJ Sneak, Smokin Jo and Sonique. It takes place at Amnesia every week, with residents Reche and Carlos Diaz.

Highlights include Zenith's seventh anniversary party on August 10 with DJ Sneak and Alex Neri, and the closing party on September 14 with Sneak and Sonique.

The full line-up for the nights Sonique will appear is:

August 24 - Alex Neri, Sonique, Joe Montana, Reche and Carlos Diaz

September 14 - DJ Sneak, Sonique, Reche and Carlos Diaz.

08 June, 2002:  Sonique - Rearranged date for Club 54, Guernsey

After missing out a first date, thankfully, the management of Guernsey's premier nightclub «Club 54» had been able to secure another date for Sonique to appear at the Club. FRIDAY 07 JUNE 2002 was seeing the internationally acclaimed SUPERSTAR DJ behind the decks and mobilising the dancefloor in her own emphatic style! She enthralled the crowds who paid to see her. Sonique came across as a very friendly down to earth person who exacted a great set throughout the night.

The decks kept spinning and the tunes just reverberated right through the building. Sonique was stamping her own individual seal of musical genere within our four walls. Interjected with her unique formidable vocal tones, she wooed and conquered the amassed into an ending frenzy! Repeatedly shouting for more, their thirst was quenched by Sonique playing towards 2.30 am. Normally we would conclude by saying, "We hope that you ALL enjoyed yourselves..." - There is no need, we know that you ALL enjoyed yourselves!

Tickets weren't available for this event - Admission was soley at the door. Due to the disappointment of not seeing SONIQUE at the Club for the last date, the management had renegotiated a price of £10 at the door all night. Happy all those who took advantage of this opportunity to see "an unequivocal night"!

25 April, 2002:  Sonique at The Gallery at Turnmills, London (UK)

Turnmills will host the 7th birthday party of The Gallery on 26 April. A star studded DJ line up will ensure the celebrations last late into the night, featuring sets from Gallery favourites Tall Paul, Fergie, Sonique, Darren Christian and Steve Lee. Soundworx host the second room, with Kev "KGB" Bird playing house and twisted beats. The Gallery is now one of London's longest running nights - congratulations to all involved for seven successful years.

Sonique will playing her first Gallery date of the year at the seventh birthday bash, plus Fergie, Tall Paul, Steve Lee and Alex Anderson. T2 features Soundworx Sessions with host Kev "KGB" Bird plus Nils Hess and Rowan Blades.

Meanwhile Sonique appeared at Club M, Newmarket, Suffolk (UK) - see picture snap left. On Wednesday, 31 May, UK singer/DJ Sonique of S-Express fame was joined by DJ John E. @ The Guvernment, 132 Queen's Quay East, Toronto, Canada.

08 April, 2002:  Sonique announced for Cream in June

Sonique is amongst the stars confirmed for a massive Cream event in Newcastle.

'Cream x10' takes place on June 1, 2002, at the Newcastle Telewest Arena. The 7,500 capacity party, Cream's first visit to Newcastle since 1998, will see DJ appearances spread across two rooms.

Confirmed so far for the all-night club are Seb Fontaine, DJ Tiësto, X-Press2, Sonique, Tall Paul, Scott Bond, Corvin Dalek, Oliver Klein and Luis Paris.

28 March, 2002:  Miami's WMC sees Sonique hosting and spinning

At this years Winter Music Conference held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, on March 23 - 27, Sonique had a welcomed appearence on the 6 days of non-stop action. She co-hosted the 17th annual International Dance Music Awards for the Year 2001 together with Daniel Glass on Tuesday, March 26th, and gave a good spin during the after party. The evening's sold out presentation at Level Theater in South Beach featured performances by Thea Austin (Pusaka, Soul Searchers, Snap), Georgie Porgie, Soluna, Aubrey, Kim Sozzi and Nicole J. McCloud and special appearances by Christophe Chantzis and Erik Vanspauwen of Ian Van Dahl, Mark Taylor and Jeff Taylor of Metrophonic, DJ Rap, Aphrodite, Ann Nesby, Pepper Mashay, Samantha Cole, and more.
IDMA winners included Pusaka, Janet Jackson, Danny Tenaglia, Hex Hector, The Neptunes, Gorillaz, Enrique Iglesias, Madonna, Daft Punk, O-Town and more. The nominees are selected by their music industry peers for their exceptional innovation, perseverance and achievement, both in front of and behind the scenes, which have lead to the growth enjoyed by the worldwide dance music community. More than 10,000 ballots are distributed to industry professionals across the globe to select the winners in what is perceived as «dance music's ultimate honor». For more Winter Music Conference information follow the links below.

web resources:    WMC homepage    WMC report at DJ Central

12 March, 2002:  Sonique opens for Chicane in Malaysia

Chicane and Sonique will be belting out their blend of mixes, tunes, and talent on Friday, March 15, 2002 at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur from 9:00 p.m. onwards. Tickets are priced at RM70 and it's free seating/standing for both acts. (In other words, it's a party, when you get tired, you go look for a seat on your own!) Tickets are available at all Salem Cool Planet Outlets.
With the release of «Offshore» in 1996, Nick Bracegirdle, or Chicane as he's known to the world, paved his way to stardom. His tune was soon heard at clubs and discos and was even featured on the «Cafe Del Mar» series. Opening for Chicane is the famous DJ and S-Express songwriter, Sonique.

7 March, 2002:  Sonique appears at World Music Awards 2002 in Monaco

Enrique Iglesias triumphs at Monaco awards

The ceremony was hosted by reggae singer Shaggy and actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, and presenters included Naomi Campbell, Sonique and star of TV series ER, Eriq la Salle. The show, which honours the best selling recording artists from around the world, is broadcast in more than 160 countries.

Enrique Iglesias, Shaggy and Alicia Keys were among the many winners at the lavish event presented on behalf of Prince Albert of Monaco. Iglesias won two awards on Wednesday night (6 March, 2002) - world's best-selling pop male artist and best-selling male Latin star.

Irish singer Enya beat off competition from Britney Spears and Dido to pick up the world's best-selling female award at the World Music Awards. Brits winner Dido did win three awards for best-selling British artist, pop female and adult contemporary but was absent from the event. Enya also won three awards as did Destiny's Child.

Host Shaggy did not leave empty handed, picking up the world's best-selling male artist gong, beating the likes of Robbie Williams and Michael Jackson. Alicia Keys continued her winning streak by picking up the best-selling R'n'B award, fresh from winning five Grammys.

Kylie Minogue performed at the ceremony in customary short dress at International Sporting Club in Monte Carlo before being awarded the best-selling Australian artist gong. Ja Rule won best-selling rap artist, beating Eminem and Jay-Z.

Singing star Alizee was the best-seller for France while Kristina Orbakaite won the Russian award. The best-selling German group was No Angels and Michael Cretu was presented with the country's individual award. The Swiss battle was won by DJ Bobo while singer Nicholas Tse represented China as a winner. Soul diva Gloria Gaynor was presented with the Legend Award by Prince Albert, the event's patron.

Who would have thought that playing records could be so rewarding? It is for Sonique. The dance star reckons she is the world's highest-paid DJ — earning more than £200,000 for some gigs. Sonique, who was Prince Albert's date for the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo, told British newspaper The Sun: "I earn more than Paul Oakenfold or Pete Tong. It's ridiculous how much DJs earn playing other people's records!"

So, what does the world's highest paid DJ do with all her wonga then? She moves to the country and gets a gallus gaff [or 'Priceless Palace' to non-Scottish readers] next to Posh'n'Becks, that's what. Are they bezzie mates then? Well, as Sonique says: "I always see Posh Spice in the local M&S." It doesn't get much more glam than that, does it?

13 Jan, 2002:  Enrique Iglesias on his relationship with Sonique

Heartthrob Enrique Iglesias practises his skills as a Latin lover in an intercontinental interview with Babalwa Shota of Sunday Times South Africa

Enrique has proven that he's not shy to talk about anything (except his family), and he sounds pleasantly surprised to discover that South Africans know of his relationship with DJ and singer Sonique. "We were dating but she broke up with me," he says. "We dated for about four months and I wanted to have kids but she didn't. I'm not seeing anyone right now. I'm trying to get back together with Sonique." Before Babalwa can utter good luck words, he spoils it by saying: "I want to have, like, 20 kids. It depends, it can be with different women. My plans for the future are to tour with the album, and then I'm going to retire, get married and have lots of kids."                                          (web resource: Sunday Times South Africa)

05 Jan, 2002:  Sonique was first guest DJ at Singapore's Zouk Club in 2002

Sonique was the first guest DJ to spin in the main room of Zouk Club in Singapore this year. The night was either fantastic or normal, depending on how your mood.
Although she is slated to do a DJ set, the latest news on the DJ is that she is quitting the world of DJing. Instead she will get more into making records for a new generation of DJs. This could well be a farewell tour for Sonique if she keeps to her word.
Dressed in black, this vocalist-DJ from the UK, will be remembered for being the only DJ that sang and danced during her set. While it was entertaining and refreshing, the entertainment came at a price - her mixing was less than stellar.
Clubbers that went down to hear Sonique the DJ were sorely disappointed. Although her set was filled with funky and thumping techno, the tempo was start-stop the whole night. Every so often, she had to put on tracks with slow introductions, which would allow her to sing. Her singing, done every 15 to 20 minutes, was the main reason for the slowdown in pace.
But those drawn to Zouk based on the catchy tunes of Sonique the singer and performer would have, no doubt, had an enjoyable time. She mixed, she sang, she danced and she entertained. There were times when she laughed with the crowd and even seemed to interact with some of the people on the dance floor.

Like most DJs, she teased the crowd several times into thinking that she would drop her hits. When she did, reactions were mixed. Some went mental but others were indifferent, perhaps tired out by the long wait that Sonique put them through.
As a DJ set, Sonique failed to leave a deep impression on music lovers. But she sure did provide a very different night for a change.                          (Report given by Patricia Chow;  web resource: getasia.com.sg)