I recently got into the habit of starting my week ends at the Opera Bar for a few beers, watching the sunset over the city and listening to DJ Son of the Sea’s chilled out mix. Somewhere between Hotel Costes and Café del Mar, it is a great place to get you in a party mood. Beautiful people having a light snack before going to the Opera meet Manly beach crowd supporting their favorite local DJ, over the best spectacle nature has to offer. No cover charge and beers for less than $5 just makes it perfect to start our busy summer weekends.

Unfortunately, I got tied up there a bit longer than I expected and got to the Basement a little late. About 10.30, which was way too early last time I went. Anyway, I still was able to catch the last 20 minutes of Koolism set. I had listened to their “Agent manipulated” album a few times and read a few articles naming them the best OZ hip hop producers, apart from that I didn’t know much about these guys but was really excited to see them live. The Basement was packed, as usual. The crowd was on fire; you could just feel it walking through the doors. I made my way to the front of the stage to discover all that beat was coming from just two guys. One of them Mc-ing. The other one going totally nuts on two turntables and an Akai’s MPC. The end of their set was absolutely phenomenal and I was really pissed to get there that late. But, one thing’s for sure; I won’t miss them again, especially now that I got their album. One of my new favorites.

The next band, Kid Confucius, was different. Hip-hop meets R&B, with an OZ ethnic sauce. Those guys really know how to work a crowd. The audience, already really hot from Koolism’s explosive set, was boiling with excitement. I am usually not the dancing type, but I just couldn’t help it; I had to shake it, just like everybody else in there. Some of the tracks were a bit too R&Bish for me. I found lyrics like ” the sun is setting on my mind” (or something like that) a bit too much, but everybody else was enjoying themselves and singing along. I was more into their hip-hop tracks.

Overall, they are an amazing band. All of them are really talented and the venue is just magic for an 8-piece live band. Each band member would be great solo, showing off how good they were. And all of them were excellent. I was particularly impressed with one of the guitar players.

Another great night, showcasing some always impressive Australian talents. The more I discover the OZ scene the more I like it. It just keeps me wondering why everybody’s rushing to international acts, when the local scene is so varied and rich.