DJ Marky is undoubtedly one of the new dons of global drum ‘n’ bass. Never have I known so many people to be so unanimously excited about an upcoming gig, irrespective of the type of drum ‘n’ bass they usually go for, they knew Marky would deliver the goods, just as he had on his most recent CD releases, “The Brazilian Job” and “In Rotation” (with XRS). Stamina MC was an additional cause for excitement having impressed the Sydney massive supporting SUV at another breakandenter party last year. This party being presented by both breakandenter and 50/50, two of the really energetic crews directly responsibly for the ongoing upsurgence of drum ‘n’ bass in Sydney was just the icing on the cake (what sort of cake you ask? Chocolate mud cake. Not too dark, not too light and so smooth. But enough about cake). Not many were going to miss this, Thursday night be damned.

And indeed by the looks of things almost every d’n’b head in Sydney braved Friday morning hang-overs and grumpy bosses because the Gaelic club was totally packed when I arrived, later than intended at about midnight. Not just packed but jumping, with the crowd pressed in tight against each other in the area in front of the stage and the density diminishing only slightly all the way to towards the back of the room. Upon inspection upstairs was also nicely filled out with several rows of people hanging into the railing and a smattering of bodies spaced out behind them. Marky and Stamina weren’t on until 1, a time I feel bound to point out is quite late for a Thursday night (I’m looking at you breakandenter) and were playing until close, something else I’m never a huge fan of as it’s nice to have  wind-down set after the headliner. But enough with these piddling complaints, the party was rocking!

Shuey and Tiddwell were down to play the lead-in spot together but as far as I could tell they didn’t actually play back-to-back but rather Tiddwell took the first half and Shuey the second half of the set. Both performed admirably bringing the rolling, driving funk. Shuey in particular really got the dance floor pumping as more and more eager bodies pressed forward, getting into position for what was the follow. The last echoes of Shuey’s closer faded away and up stepped the man we’d all been waiting for DJ Marky, looking relaxed and happy behind the decks, and to one side the more imposing figure of Stamina MC. “Check check one” he booms, as if the check the mic’s working. It is. The crowd cheers back enthusiastically and we’re away.

Marky knows how to bring the funk and he brought it in spades on this night, the opening half hour was truly exhilarating as he whipped the crowd into an ecstatic lather, ably assisted by Stamina MC who is probably the best MC I’ve seen, he knew just when to talk, when to sing, when to stay silent and let the music do the talking. But the focal point, the controller, was Marky. He exuded charisma and gave off such positive energy you couldn’t help but feel affected by it. I’ve rarely seen a DJ with such enthusiasm and energy behind the decks, he truly looked like he was having a great time which is so refreshing (because, seriously, what’s not to love from his perspective?). He jumped around, played air guitar, shared jokes with Stamina and chain-smoked cigarettes throughout, making it all look so effortless. He regularly looked like he was paying no attention to getting the next track ready, only to drop it in perfectly, every time. His skills were suburb, playing the spinning vinyl like it was bongo’s,  manually hammering out a beat to overlay that provided by the other record, beat-juggling, scratching and seamlessly dropping in track after track or nice, lush rolling music. It was summery without too much of a latin flavour (thank goodness) warming the room and leaving barely a person standing still amongst us.

And of course we were all waiting for it, knowing that “LK” would be played at some point and despite its exposure there was never a doubt that the crowd would go nuts. And go nuts we did. Stamina MCs live singing gave it a new dimension and that sweet familiar guitar riff burrowed straight into our brains as the crowd heaved, hundreds of extremely happy punters jumping their little hearts out, big grins plastered on their sweaty faces.

It was all over far too soon and we were left to face up to the realities of the cold night outside and the painful day to come. But it was worth it, it was so worth it.