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Tropical Wax NYE 2024: A Sonic Odyssey on Sri Lanka's Southern Coast
As the final hours of 2024 waned, a distinct energy pulsed through the historic corridors of the Closenberg Hotel in Galle. Perched atop a cliff with sweeping views of the Indian Ocean, the 19th-century manor was transformed into a haven of sound and sensation—for those seeking more than another New Year’s countdown.
Tropical Wax, the brainchild of Paloma Monnappa and Emanuel Siddhartha, has long stood at the intersection of vinyl culture, underground music, and the untamed spirit of island life. For this year’s NYE celebration, they joined forces with surf, music, and hospo collective Good Story and new-generation lifestyle hotel brand Otherland to create an experience that didn’t just entertain—it transported.
Luna Terrace: Movement in the Moonlight
Luna Terrace featured James Grant of Anjunadeep (the deeper sister of Above & Beyond's Anjunabeats), Jay Carder, the London-based heavy hitter and Rinse FM resident, Leandro, founder of Surfer's Guide, Paloma bringing a bass-heavy sunrise, and Bombay’s uber-talented producer Kumail. A Tropical Wax NYE always features vinyl, and this year the terrace grooved to the analog rhythms of label owner and sound engineering wizard Thoma Bulwar, London-to-Lanka’s soulful selector Kevin Fernando, and Emanuel, delivering a journey from trance to techno to disco.
The 1860 Stage: Intimate, Intentional, Immersive
Inside the old heart of the Closenberg, the 1860 Stage offered a more introspective path—curated with precision by Max Aplin of Good Story. It featured Powerhouse Moscow founder Algo, Good Story crew member Gework, multi-instrumentalist Koyla (live), Dawnstate Records founder Tom Haus, and the eclectic Swiss DJ Wheeling.
The Afterglow
Tropical Wax NYE 2024 wasn’t about the spectacle. It was raw, real, and resonant—a coming together of the curious and the committed. Beneath ancient ceilings and across moonlit terraces, a space emerged where community, culture, and deep frequencies intertwined. For those who were there, it wasn’t just the start of a new year—it was a memory etched deep under the skin. The kind that hums long after the music fades.
Follow Tropical Wax here.
