Netflix's Shadow & Bone Premiere Afterparty
Performing as a premiere event DJ for red-carpet events never gets old. The glitz, the glamour, the celebrities, the adoring fans, the fun themes – it all makes for the most memorable evenings. So I was thrilled to be invited to DJ for the Netflix Shadow & Bone Premiere Afterparty on March 9, 2023.
Shadow & Bone came to Netflix with an already large and enthusiastic fanbase. That following has grown immensely as viewers resonate with diverse cast members like Jessie Mei, Amita Suman, and Kit Young. Originally a book trilogy, Shadow & Bone was adapted for the Netflix series and includes elements of the Six of Crows duology. This fantasy plotline takes place in the “Grishaverse,” created by author Leigh Bardugo, and follows the story of Alina Starkov. Though Alina believes she is nothing more than an orphan and mapmaker, she discovers the truth of who she is and that she possesses a potentially world-altering power.
Hosted at the Netflix campus in Hollywood at their very own Tudum Theatre, the Shadow & Bone Season 2 Premiere Fan Experience & Afterparty was a celebration of both the talented cast and crew and the fans who have created a community around the story. Guests were enveloped in a fantasy-chic aesthetic, made even more authentic by the dedicated fans who arrived in full costume, and a trivia host kept the crowd engaged as the cast and crew made their way through the red carpet. The pre-reception offered fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see and interact with their favorite series stars, followed by an exclusive fan screening and an upscale afterparty for the cast and crew. The excitement of the fans as they watched the cast members walk the red carpet was contagious — something I will never forget.
I had the privilege of DJing for both the fan experience and the premiere afterparty. For the fan experience, I wanted to match the dramatic tone of the soundtrack. I chose an eclectic mix of moody yet upbeat tracks, including pop remixes and covers, like the Kungs remix of Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero,” “Pompeii” by Bastille, the Imagine Dragons “Believer” remix by Denis First, Gamper & Dandoni featuring Emily Roberts’s cover of The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony,” and “Unholy” by Sam Smith and Kim Petras.
When the afterparty rolled around, I wanted to create an atmosphere of celebration for the cast and crew to enjoy. I curated a selection of all the best Top 40, dance music, and party classics to keep the crowd hyped and on their feet. One guest even requested Florence and the Machine’s “Spectrum,” which ended up being one of the funnest moments of the night.
Being the go-to DJ for premiere events is one of the best parts of my job. This particular fan experience and afterparty were certainly one for the books. I’d like to thank Netflix and Rock + Paper for having me as their special event DJ for the evening. What a blast!
You can watch Shadow & Bone seasons 1 and 2 on Netflix.