- Do a google search on the internet on the topic of “Drum Workshop” and you’ll most likely be bombarded by a plethora of sites describing the therapeutic values of beating a drum. Could it be another new fad? Perhaps not, as I walked up the stairs of the Two Floors Up club in Lonsdale street to attend Melbourne’s newest and hottest night: “The Drum Is God” (henceforth abbreviated TDIG).
TDIG is the brainchild of DJ Promo (Ministry of Sound/UK) who is now in charge of heading the events at Two Floors Up since the club changed management a few months ago. The concept is a refreshing change to our usual staple of electronica, finding a niche market for the percussive tribal and twisted tech-house genre.
Walking into the club, I could see that much had changed since the last few months. While before, it was brightly lit in corners with oddly placed spotlights, the overall club now looks darker and more lounge-y, the addition of cornea-searing lasers and a smoke machine to the main dance floor slides the party vibe up a few notches with a good crowd in there.
Scott Feigan was laying on the funky house tunes downstairs to a packed room. Upstairs, Nick Dem Q (Bamboo Music) warmed up the main room as the crowd slowly packed in. The first hour of his set had more house tunes with heavy basslines before progressing into more percussive territory in the second hour. It was an excellent warm up for the party. Behind the DJ booth, 3 large posters flanked the wall. On each one was a drum, with the words “Redemption, Worship, Sanctuary” written above each drum. A befitting image as it was clear that everyone in the room was enjoying the drum worship.
DJ Promo took over next, deftly building up a tribalesque landscape of percussive rhythms and pounding basslines. He played some of his own productions, one of which included a wicked sample of Martin Luther King’s famous “I have a dream” speech which cumulated in an amazing breakdown of tribal beats. Promo showed a great talent behind the decks with technically precise mixing and good track selection. Looking totally at home jumping behind the decks to the music, he was clearly thoroughly enjoying himself too.
Loosing myself in the ecstatic beats, the time flew by all too fast. Before I knew it, the encore track was already being played upstairs as what remained of the crowd still shouted out for more. Wearily, we dragged ourselves downstairs where the recovery party played funky house music till the early hours of Sunday morning.
No doubt I’m certain this night will be a success, offering a different approach to music as Melbourne wakes up to the beating of the drums!
Thanks to RA, Matt Solo and the people of TFU for organizing the event