Well then. For an event held just hours after the end of the biggest party night of the year for most of us, Future’s 2004 (ooh, a new year, don’t we all feel special) Summadayze sure packed some punch.

And what an event it was. Though House music fans were certainly catered for in the best possible way, fans of all electronic genres had a little something to celebrate for – acts ranged from the massively popular House-Funk-Rock-Big Beat fusion maestros Groove Armada, to House hero Derrick Carter and English Trance superstar Lange.

And for once, Melbourne’s weather didn’t even attempt to dampen our spirits – in fact, the only damp things in sight were the gloriously sweat-soaked revellers, dancing away the first party of the new year. Unfortunately though – not all the sweat was good, especially when the muzza-riffic crowds ensured that bucket loads of it headed our way, flung from their shirtless, fake-tanned bodies. But I digress – despite the intense muzza-affliction that was the crowd, there was actually very little to complain about – I came for the music, and went home far more than satisfied, and even with a few new “favourite DJs”.

So, a good time was had by me, and seemingly most everyone else. Though it was obviously impossible to catch all of the acts (especially considering the event was, yet again, astonishingly oversold – we were all packed in like sardines), those which I did manage to glimpse generally didn’t disappoint in the slightest. Although I found it difficult to actually drag my tired, tired body from my wonderful tented position at the top of the hill, Groove Armada really made me want to dance (but I couldn’t), with “Superstylin’” – as usual – the stand out of their set. Their mixing was flawless, and as always the boys knew exactly how to get the crowd going, and were loved by all.

But I actually nearly missed the real highlight of the day – my obligatory hangover from the previous night resulted in a regretful sleep-in and rush for the train, and by the time I got in, esteemed breaks duo Krafty Kuts & A-Skillz were just hitting the decks. Though I’d heard much about them and was of course in eager anticipation, I was muchly confused when I arrived to the sounds of Panjabi MC and assorted other Hip-Hop sounds (hey, I know Dance music, not Hip-Hop!) being belted out – I was apparently untold of their Breaks and Hip-Hop fusion sounds. But my doubts were quickly allayed as I realised that anyone with the skill of these two could play whatever they damn well pleased, such was the quality of music. Their mixing; scratching; general fucking around with the decks had to be seen to be believed, and at one stage I swear they changed tracks about five times in a minute – and it sounded fan-tastic.

Unfortunately I didn’t get to see or hear much of French talent Bob Sinclar (sadly, probably the man I was most pumped to hear), as the stage lay-out around the back of the Bowl was atrocious – far too many people (why oh why did Future not realise how popular this man would be, and put him on the main stage where he belonged?), and at the position I managed to squeeze into, the bass from the next stage was clashing heavily. It was just more of the same for Derrick Carter, though I found his set to be somewhat uninspired, actually – perhaps the sound system was substandard – but his tunes were lacking the usual melodies that you might expect from such a renowned DJ, and it felt more than a little repetitive.

I managed to catch a few others – for a local playing music that I don’t enjoy nearly as much as I used to, I really thought Master Kaos put in a fantastic set; what I glanced of Lange was Trance at its best; and Infusion really carved it up, playing a quality soaring bass-heavy set.

All in all, and despite my considerable reservations about the event, my fragile state of mind, and the horrible lack of sleep I’d endured (though, judging by some of the faces around, I wasn’t the worst by a long shot!) the event met – and even surpassed – virtually all of my expectations, and I had a damn good time. I can’t guarantee that I’ll be backing it up next year (though if I do, I’ll be sure to take it a little easier the night before!), but it was definitely worth the effort this time around!