- 2004 has been lookin’ pretty damn good for Damage Events. The opening night in February was a roaring success despite being up against Roger Sanchez at HOME. The whole year in fact has bought some stiff competition, with the likes of Mardi Gras, Alan Thompson & Tiesto all headlining against the new night. To the credit of Damage Events, the night has still managed to consistently pull a crowd – on Saturday night, despite Derrick Carter being in town Lookin Good blew the roof off Candy’s Apartment yet again.
It was “up an comer”, Ben Kelly’s official debut at Lookin’ Good and he started the night with a smooth, dancey, vocal set that got the dancefloor filling early. “Ultimate Funk” Bob Sinclair was elegantly carved into “All that jazz”, slickly mixed and scoring a bonus point for one of my current favorites “Manilla”. As 11pm approached Candy’s was packed and looked to be yet another capacity night for Lookin’ Good.
Craig Obey took to the stage at 11pm with his signature scratching, as ever Craig showed his skill at mixing and scratching but the tune selection I found surprising – had it been 3am, I would have been impressed as it was a beautifully mixed, deep, banging set. However at 11pm the set just didn’t really work for me which is a shame because I can’t fault anything about Craig’s set it was excellent, skillful and beyond anything he played “Yeke Yeke” which is one of my all time favorite classics, but the set just seemed to me to be on at the wrong time for Lookin” Good which is building a reputation for a more vocal build up to the night.
One element of Lookin Good has stood out to me, month after month and that would be the pure class of Mark Dynamix behind the decks, it’s no surprise that Mark has finished #2 in the DJ polls, given the simply outstanding sets I have heard from Dynamix this year. Marks set was once again complimented by consistently excellent performances from Adam Coverdale.
Adam Coverdale played a heavy house set that was littered with some truly great classic tracks, such as “let love in” by Allison Limerick and “Electric Avenue”. Jamie Kaye was up after Adam and hit the decks in his usual “up for it” manner, Jamie’s playing style is slightly different with very few songs getting a full play in preference to a lot more cutting in from the CDJ. The “Sweet Dreams” bootleg was mashed up and cut in creatively and was only beaten in crowd reaction by “INXS, What you need” the Carl Kennedy, Johnny Gleeson (Wasted Youth) remix.
Last but by no means least was the lovely lady of dance herself Kate Monroe, we don’t see anywhere near enough female DJ’s in Sydney and none of her caliber, so I was really looking forward to seeing Kate play. Unfortunately between scratched records and pissed up punters it was a rocky start to Kate’s set, with one guy so drunk he fell over the decks actually knocking the sound out for a couple of minutes. But then Kate got going and it was another skillful, deep set from Kate.
As always happens through a night a couple of songs win the title of most played, this time it was the turn of “Lola’s theme” and “Flashdance” and I have to say if two songs are going to get some extra spins of the deck..then let it be these!
Its interesting watch a new night develop, see how it establishes itself and what its signature becomes. For Lookin’ Good it is fast becoming established as a big night, filled to capacity and rocking Candy’s, it should also be particularly proud of the quality of music a standard which is set by the residents: Mark Dynamix & Adam Coverdale.
The next Lookin’ Good will be on Saturday 3rd July 2004 @ Candy's Apartment, Kings X. 10pm-6am. The line up includes: Jules Beaumont, Mark Dynamix (Resident), Andrew James, Ben Morris, Adam Coverdale (Resident), Woodsy, Doctor Jane, Mish, Marina, Baby Jane.