As the dust settles on last weekend, we’ve had time to reflect on Sunday’s virtual party with Heineken and UEFA, and how lucky we are to connect people all over the world through music and football. The Kick Off was a culmination of all the work we had done to spread positivity during lockdown, and keep the world dancing despite challenging circumstances.
With eight DJs playing across eight locations for eight hours of dance music excellence, the stream came as the opening party for the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League Finals, bringing together the worlds of football and music to unite fans for a very special party.
With an all-star line-up including electro music icon Bob Sinclar, global superstar Idris Elba, crossover hit machine Purple Disco Machine, as well Defected favourites Low Steppa, Melvo Baptise, Aline Rocha, Ferreck Dawn and Monki, the music on Sunday was second to none. Pair that with appearances from some football legends, including Thierry Henry and Andrea Pirlo, we thought it only right to take a look back on some of the day’s highlights…
In case you missed it, you can watch the full eight hour stream on the Defected YouTube page or click below…
Melvo Baptiste closes out his set with forthcoming debut single 'Bad Company' with Phebe Edwards...
@MelvoBaptiste is killing it in London right now! Can’t wait to party again with you guys in person @DefectedRecords ❤️ from ????????
— Philip Pratt (@Masteredit18) August 9, 2020
The only way to do a Public Holiday/Bank Holiday Sunday in South Africa ???????? is with @DefectedRecords @Heineken @ChampionsLeague and the very ???? @MelvoBaptiste bringing the ????????????????????????
— Darryl Stanford (@darryl_stanford) August 9, 2020
Ferreck Dawn delivers an hour of house slammers from the old brew room at the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam...
???? @FerreckDawn ???? https://t.co/CNT4Ug438A
— John Julius Knight (@jonjuliusknight) August 9, 2020
Low Steppa brings the heat with a set filled with exclusive, previously unheard and forthcoming cuts on Defected...
Yeeees @Lowsteppa hit the ground Running! #TheKickOff ???????????????? Listen up brum and the rest of the world !! Good work @DefectedRecords @ChampionsLeague @Heineken????????????????
— Damien Williams (@Damienw251076) August 9, 2020
@Lowsteppa takin me places I didn’t know I needed to go on Sunday afternoon @DefectedRecords
— Andrew Broughton (@AndrewBrought14) August 9, 2020
Bob Sinclar gives a masterclass in house mastery from his infamous home studio...
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Oh @bobsinclar I just love everything about you ???? So much Energy from that @DefectedRecords set ????????????This is why you are a ???? Still takes me there ????????????????????
— ▼ Sam Divine ▼ (@samdivine) August 9, 2020
Purple Disco Machine went green for the night, with exclusive edits, mash-ups and some classic favourites that gave us all the feels...
I'm such a rebel without a clue!! My Fitbit says it's time for bed, but I'm having WAY too much fun with @PurpleDiscoM @DefectedRecords & @Heineken_SA Sunday Disco!! That's what Bank/Public Holidays are for, it's Party time!! ????????????????????
— Darryl Stanford (@darryl_stanford) August 9, 2020
this set got me feelin so freeeee & aliiiive ✨???? @PurpleDiscoM @DefectedRecords pic.twitter.com/yTcSCRkKQH
— monica (@psychedeliasnob) August 9, 2020
Thierry Henry makes a guest appearance on the stream to introduce the next DJ...
A message from the one and only @ThierryHenry... ⚽️@idriselba up now! ????#HouseMusicAllLifeLong pic.twitter.com/UTaAgQFr8r
— Defected Records (@DefectedRecords) August 9, 2020
Idris joined us from the A’DAM Lookout, accompanied by the UEFA Champions League and Europa League trophies by his side.
@idriselba not only had a fire ???? set but the entrance to his @DefectedRecords Kick was beyond intro status ????????
— Mr. V (@djmrv) August 9, 2020
@idriselba playing bangers only here! ???????????? @DefectedRecords #Defected #TheKickOff pic.twitter.com/eqfOIivXes
— Jamie Whitehurst (@jwhitehurst1989) August 9, 2020
Former DJ For The World competition winner Aline Rocha blends house classic and future anthems seamlessly live from Sao Paolo...
@DjAlineRocha wow, this set is just wow ✨@DefectedRecords
— ???? (@ecobuggg) August 9, 2020
After 7 hours of house music goodness, hosted by Monki herself, she closes out the day with an hour of bangers...
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You can also stream all the tracks from The Kick Off on Spotify...
