Crystal Chen And Friends

Tāmaki Makaurau-based multidisciplinary artist Crystal Chen will be playing her debut headline gig alongside friends Kédu and DJ Left Hand Loz at Big Fan on Thursday the 2nd of May.

Following the release of her latest single ‘Love Letter’, this evening will be a celebration of the work Chen has been chipping away at over the past couple of years, teasing and testing a soon-to-be-released body of work. Opening the night will be the heart-felt caress of a harp, easing you into jazzy grooves and soulful melodies as the saxophone brings you into an upbeat sensation.

Joining Crystal in her band we have Francesca Parussini on sax and flute,
Joe Kaptein on keys, Holly Webster on bass, Elijah Mcpherson on gat, Adam Tobeck on drums, Harrison Chau on harp and Chelsea Naepi on backing vocals.



Crystal Chen is a multidisciplinary artist known for her work in music and analog photography. In her most recent single ‘Love Letter’ she intersects sonics and visuals inspired by her Chinese culture to bring you back in time to the 40s in Shanghai. Chen is also working on a photography book with her mother Cynthia who has Alzheimer's disease. They travelled to the motherland China, and captured their experience on analog formats across 18 different cities. Amongst this, she is also working towards her debut music album which is an intoxicating melange of jazz, contemporary R&B, and modern soul.


Kédu, otherwise known as Jess Penson, is a multi-faceted musician who has explored many
aspects of her musicality throughout her career. She began her musical journey as a member of
the RnB girl group Techniclr before venturing into electronic music as one half of the producer,
DJ, and live electronic performance duo Kédu Carlö. Her eclectic taste in music is reflected in
her sound, which draws from genres such as Jazz, Soul and RnB, as well as her love for
electronic soundscapes and synth-based music. Kédu has had the opportunity to perform with
artists such as Nathan Haines and Flamingo Pier, showcasing her versatility as a musician
and her ability to adapt to different styles. Kédu’s most recent single ‘Every Day’ was well
received achieving New Tracks placement as well as radio play on bFM, RadioActive and
‘Deadly Tunes With Sin’. With her unique blend of genres, Kédu creates a sound that is both
familiar and fresh.


Left Hand Loz is a Tāmaki Makaurau based DJ and music journalist known for her work as the co-editor of SNIFFERS magazine. Her eclectic sets are an extension of her storytelling, always embracing the left field, prioritising the girlies and underground artists, and spanning a melting pot of global club music. Mixing blurred genres between house, techno, UK garage, breaks, club edits, footwork, jersey club, reggaeton, and more, her intentions are to show you what you didn't know you needed to hear. With a passionate presence in Tāmaki Makaurau’s music scene, she is a resident DJ and co-founder of global club music and queer liberation club night DOLLHOUSE, and has played shows with 100 gecs and Jael (Soulection), as well as having co-presented live shows in Auckland for underground international acts including Brooke Candy (LA) and Wiki (NYC).