- Once again, the Motorola Dance Music Awards provided a forum for the Australian public to express their dance music preferences and for hardworking artists, producers and DJs to be acknowledged for their contributions to this fledgling scene. What better way to celebrate a successful awards ceremony, the first to be telecast live nationally, with a killer official after party at home nightclub?
The impressive and varied line up included a headlining set by UK breaks master Adam Freeland, a live set by DMA performers Etherfox and DJ sets by Goodwill amongst others. I couldn’t help wondering however, if the line up had been organised prior to the DMA winners being announced. The performers’ sets were poorly timed as Adam Freeland had to compete with live legends The Resin Dogs and Etherfox.
Being no stranger to the breaks genius and general trickery of Adam Freeland, I was anxious once again to see this wonder boy of Fabric fame carve it up once again. After all, I had brought in the new millennium grooving away to a wicked Coastal Breaks II inspired set.
But would the international man of DJ fame live up to the giant expectations the Australian clubbing public now places on him?
To a very vocal, grateful crowd Adam Freeland showed once again why he most certainly deserves the “Best International DJ” title at this years’ Motorola Dance Music Awards. The fact that he won this prestigious award and happened to be playing at the official after party must surely be more than coincidence!
Either way, Adam gave the cheery punters a flying start with some meaty, heavy breaks and bass lines. Always one to please the crowd, memorable moments included an original version of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ and a remix of Beastie Boys’ ‘Fight for Your Right’ He showed just how much the Australian public loves him, and demonstrated why he is so keen to return to our shores summer after summer.
In other Adam news, the breaks legend has recently released ‘We Want Your Soul’ which is a furious tirade against US-style consumerism.
The rationale behind such a release? “I feel if artists aren't going to speak out and say something, then who is?” he told In The Mix. “It's very un cool to say something these days, it's not cool to say what you actually think and it's certainly not cool to have a political opinion in electronic music.”
I must also extend sincere kudos to the other winners on the night that once again showed why they are Australia’s finest by offering absolutely stellar performances. No exception to this was live performance award winners Resign Dogs. This cheery crew was constantly surrounded by inspired onlookers as they carved up the packed dance floor.
Other highlights of the night included impressive performances by Etherfox, BLIM and Goodwill. If only the sets had been timed a little more effectively!
As for the crowd, a real mixture showed their faces at Sydney’s premier night clubbing establishment. Included was a mixture of regulars from Together, place being filled up with the DCM crowd. Random people had even found their way in too. I spoke to a lot of tourists who had obviously thought ‘Stuff it, lets go here for the night”. I'd never seen so many people with there shirts off. Once again the venue was packed, especially the terrace.