- Having Marcel Dettmann at a venue like The Ivy seems almost irreverent. As a passerby in the crowd put it: "Dettmann isn't supposed to play in direct sunlight." This event could have gone either way. An airy, multi-story venue with glass and hanging vines everywhere you look, The Ivy has the air of an Ibiza club. More importantly, it boasts one of the most impressive sound systems in Sydney. Still, it isn't the first choice for most serious international artists, notorious as it is for tacky dress, high entry fees and various incidents of violence. The Leased Summer Series aims to pair fun, open-air venues with deep house and techno. But it would be interesting to see if they could pull off such a bold manoeuvre.
Having Detroit Swindle as an opening act was a good way to ease the crowd into Dettmann. The Dutch duo are inherently likeable DJs, grooving their way through funky electro and classic deep house tunes. They took the fall for Defined By Rhythm, who looked as if he wasn't entirely sure where he was, or what he was meant to be doing, before being replaced by Kerry Wallace, who promptly and professionally fulfilled his role on the lineup.
As Dettmann launched into his heavy, resonant techno, the crowd got more and more wild, climbing on each other's shoulders and clamouring to get closer to the stage. It's impossible not to be absorbed into Dettmann's music. He is at once relentless and invigorating, leading you down a dark wormhole of sound. The ultimate silent showman, he emanated an enviable stage presence with only a few smiles and waves. You never once got the impression of him being cold—on the contrary, he was incredibly warm and genuine, just solely focussed on his craft.
In the end, Dettmann at the Ivy was a jarring experience. It drew a fair few Ivy regulars who, despite really getting into the music, were not the most respectful patrons. But it also drew diehard fans, a highlight being when a tall German native wangled his way through security to get his copy of Dettmann's Vedomir Remixes signed. It was a confusing crowd and atmosphere, but the music redeemed it. And anyway, what would the future of Sydney's club scene be if no one took a few risks here and there?
Photo credits: Jack Bennet