Every year it happens on this night, 31 December, when everyone wants to come out and play and start in the New Year with partying, drinking and more partying… It starts out at a friend’s place around 3pm and then kicks off when the clubs open up.

Or if you are sound minded, it starts with the 9pm fireworks, continues with the midnight fireworks and countdown and then finishes at a club, pub or home in bed asleep… or not, for those lucky ones!

But every year, the parties and clubs all seem the same. However, every now and then a gem pops up that rekindles the whole love of clubs and what it is all about.

Altitude put on a great party last year, they came back with a new name this year, and put on yet another fantastic party that didn’t disappoint. Or bring in the crowd.

There is just not enough recognition or commitment to the trance scene in Sydney any more, so little wonder that nye for Halcyon was yet another great night that went unheard or even acknowledged.

When you have events pulling in the big names like Tiesto and Bob Sinclar, it’s of no surprise that the majority of Sydney-siders went elsewhere, while this great night at this great pub was all but silent. What is happening to the dance scene in Sydney? I mean Halcyon had the plan to open at 4pm, allow people to get in the party spirit and then still have plenty of time to join in the night’s festivities if pre-planned. But why did people chose not to?

What is the real disappointment here is that you have so few people dedicated to bringing trance back, promoting new and upcoming DJs, giving the trance scene what it needs, but there is no one there that will support it.

From 4pm until 2am there was nothing but pure magic being spun out by all DJs and every song was better than the one before. The whole night was one big journey. Each DJ just started where the previous one left off, all the while, never missing a beat. But from 4pm to 2am there was no crowd, no atmosphere and no sense of being with the usual Halcyon crowd.

But of the minority that was there, the night was still great, with an intimate atmosphere and of being witness to and support of trance as it is.

DJ Way made his DJ debut and played a great set, but to no crowd. Such a waste. I mean this guy has some talent and the potential to be up there with the big guys. But how will someone who is “out of the realm of what the dance scene is about” be recognised, let alone heard. And yes sarcasm does become me! But I would take the chance to see him perform again should his name appear… do yourself some good and get into some trance.

Next up was Adrian Wells who performed as would be expected. The likes of Agnelli & Nelson oozing out of the speakers and into yet another empty dancefloor. By this time the floor should have been seeing more and more people, as the favourites Diggs & Morro were due up next. They did manage to draw a crowd, what would be the maximum number for the night. For those that witnessed Diggs & Morro were treated with Eternal, The Return of Nothing and Cry – one of my all time favourites – and the vocal version this year! But the real winner of the set and pretty much of the night was the new mix of Carte Blance by Veracocha. Wow!! That song has always been great, but is now just indescribable.

Then on came Joshua Van Aalst, who is probably one of the quiet achievers, and only other DJ besides Sample G to play Suburban Train…... Josh went for a change in direction, but kept all the trance elements. He played a set of nice uplifting vocals, and when you start with Am I On Your Mind, how can you go wrong. But I will say that I have never heard suburban train be so well mixed with time after time….Even that one surprised me.

The night then eased on into the likes of Cameron O’Shea, Stamna, Freefall and Liquid M finished up the night, with an intelligent harder set, that included Ferry Corsten’s Rock Your Body Rock and the collaboration with Armin, Exhale.

It was a real shame to see and hear so many talented DJ’s in one place, with so little support. What has happened to this once favoured event? Has it lost its spark or are people evolving with their musical likes and no longer care for or appreciate the club that has tried, time after time to give Sydney what they want. So get off your arse’s Sydney and start appreciating what you have before it is once again a distant memory.

I ask you: Where have all the trance addicts gone?