- Despite the unfortunate last minute cancellation of Rhadoo, Raresh and Pedro of Circo Loco, anticipation was high for this past weekend's event at Melbourne's Brown Alley. After all, day parties are something of a rarity in the city, and the promoters quickly drafted in Ibiza vet Jo Mills to fill the trio's spot.
On entry, security staff were friendly and accommodating and the bar was conveniently close. (Brown Alley is one of the few clubs in the city to have a 24-hour bar license.) The two story, dark stone, colonial-style pub has a wide open area, split up with large pillars, tables and khaki mesh curtains. And while access to the mezzanine was restricted, a smoking area was set up outside along the footpath which proved a popular location due to the sunny day and comfortable temperature.
Mills is a staple DJ in Ibiza, having played there for many years and at some of the world's most prestigious clubs including DC-10, Pacha, Space, Cream and Amnesia. With little previous knowledge of her style or DJ sets I was pleased to hear a set full of warm tech house and techno. Keen to set the pace early on, the crowd was rather unresponsive, however it may have had more to do with people just beginning to arrive and with many enjoying their first drinks for the day.
In fact, it took nearly an hour to get things going, but once Sebo K's "Diva" was put on the floor began to fill and the female jock was sent into a hand twirling frenzy reminiscent of a robot in a Kraftwerk video. With a lively floor to work with, Jo stepped it up with Radio Slave's always enormous "RJ," which received much acclaim from those front and centre.
Sure, Mills didn't push any boundaries with her track selection, but given the circumstances—and a reasonably small set time—she managed to put together a pleasant array of party gems.