Game-Changing DJ Residency

DJ Steve Aoki, Surrender Nightclub at Encore

He’s in the house, all right. When Surrender opened, it made a bold statement, hiring this DJ/entrepreneur/fashion designer as musical director and resident DJ. Aoki does double-duty, holding down Friday nights, a.k.a. Aoki’s House, while also helping steer the musical ship, so to speak. While not all of his time at the wheel has been smooth sailing—multiple DJs had their sets cut short during Surrender’s first season—Aoki’s role as celebrity DJ and musical director is markedly different from most residencies—and, overall, a success. Not only is Aoki one of the most fashionable DJs on the Strip (he’s designed for KR3W Apparel, Supra and Burton, among others), he also boasts the longest hair and the wackiest headwear (anyone catch that Native American headdress?). Meantime, his signature sounds are a hit, and he’s brought in some big-name talent (Steve Angello) to help establish Surrender as one of the best-sounding and most stylish spots on the Strip