- Sweetchilli and Sounds are two of the hottest promoters in Sydney at the moment and to say I was excited by the prospect of them teaming up to put on a Renaissance party (one of the worlds great dance music brands) would be a huge understatement.
There were a number of ‘unknown’ factors about the evening that would reveal themselves throughout the night and answer the backlog of questions I had walking into the gig. How would “Sydney’s newsest venue” hold up against my weight of expectation, having only ever seen Sander perform at festivals how would he go in a club gig and the new ‘live’ room concept; would it work?
Arriving at the venue, I was greeted by a short queue (always a good start) and a friendly face at the door. Within 2 mins we had boarded the lifts upstairs and bang when the doors of the lift opened the party began.
Girls, guys, DJ’s and promoters all shaking it to some of the funkiest tunes I have heard all year. Where was I? Not familiar with the venue it was time to check the compass and register my bearings. Not before a quick boogie to the ‘live’ sounds – great concept and throughout the night offering a totally different perspective to the main room I’d have to say this one was a winner and we will no doubt find the likes of ‘Sneaky Sound System” at regular Sounds/Sweetchilli parties in the future.
Now it was my chance to venture through the undergrowth of people and smoke to the busy main room, a packed display of bodies moving to the sound of Sydney’s very own Ben Korbel. A DJ whose growth of the last two years as both an industry figure head and DJ is a true reflection of his ability on both the decks and as a promoter. His progressive sound is a far cry from the boring label that is so often attached to one of the world’s great forms of dance music. It’s an upbeat sound, traveling through sound loops and musical house caves and a delight to listen to over a few beers and in anticipation of the main attraction.
Sander Klienenberg, a musical genius who has stamped his footprints in the dance music sands of time with his production work and Djing was soon to take up from where Mr Korbel had left off and with a 4hour set instore, the crowd was eager in its anticipation of the Dutch master.
Starting off harder than expected, he had the crowd in the palm of his hands, however I was surprised that he had begun with such pace. A four hour set is not the equivalent of a 1500m swimming race, more of an 800m and was Sander K going to be able to sustain his pace throughout the duration. Halfway through with a hint of things starting to perhaps drift away from him he pulled out two monster tunes. Luke Chable’s production master piece ‘Ride’ and the Cass and slide mix of his original work ‘My Lexicon’. Both were greeted with huge applause and smiles – Sander K was back on track and eager to finish with a bang.
Sweeping melody’s, drifting full basslines and subtle vocals were all included in a fine display of freestyle progressive house. Touching the wall and handing over the reigns to another one of Sydney’s favourite progressive stars, Robbie Lowe, he had come to Sydney with much expectation, swum a great race and taken our minds, bodies and emotions on the ride with him. A great performance, from a DJ who looked a lot more combatable in the club (intimate) environment as opposed to the larger festival warehouse experience.
Congratulations to Sounds and Sweetchilli on another great performance. Missing your parties is never an option and if you keep raising the bar, things can only get better for 2004.