Internet.Hotspot
For our latest mini-doc, we dive into the genesis of one of Chicago’s best parties
In recent years, Chicago's party scene has been home to a number of prominent functions that added to the city's vibrant culture. Sundays with the Tigers, Open4Mat, Queen!, Places + Faces, and the original era of Aux Cord DJs all brought people together by embracing the community and the spaces that hosted them. While these events allowed for a majority of guests to celebrate the city's culture, younger individuals (like Brandon Lee) were often left out and unable to participate due to the 21+ age restriction.
A then 19-year-old Brandon set out to create his own event that would allow young people to congregate and share a space to dance. Utilizing the existing infrastructure in his family's Vietnamese restaurant, Brandon and friends founded and produced the inclusive 18+ party, Internet.Hotspot.
In late Febraury, we sat down with Brandon at South Facing Windows to hear Hotspot's origin story and later attended their special one-year anniversary show —which featured Kari Faux as the headliner and local acts SheGo Turbo, Yung Duro and DJ Fefenextdoor.
“We literally had no idea what the fuck we were doing. It was beautiful... It really was.”
“I'm not exactly sure how or when me and Brandon met, but we've been having fun ever since. At the time we met, I was coordinating events for artists and becoming interested in house music, however, it wasn't until much later when we decided we should work on something together. I was in London during winter '18 and I was fascinated by the vibrancy of its nightlife. I had never seen clubs so packed with young people or heard speakers so powerful. When I came back to Chicago, Brandon invited me to his restaurant for dinner... it happened to be a karaoke night. I was unaware Pho Viet had a professional stage and sound system, which had inspiring potential. That night me and Brandon began to speak of the possibilities of a party. With his knowledge of music and my interest in branding and promotion, we came up with Internet.Hotspot.” - Kieran Hush
“I did a large number of the flyers you see for the event, so after the first event went so well I was eager to expand the poster concepts and further express the Internet.Hotspot identity.” - Rory Pipia
Photos From Internet.Hotspot’s 1 Year Anniversary Party
Credits
Directed & Shot by Mike Sager
Interview by Carlos Castillo
Producers: Carlos Castillo, Eric Montanez & team
Photography by Michael Salisbury
Captured at South Facing Windows & Phö Viet