Stacey Pullen, playing both a house and techno set, as well as Space DJ’z, provided the international presence within the House and Elektrick Arena’s at this years Sonik held at the Monkey Bar. Playing alongside them were some of Perth’s finest techno and house talent which was enough to guarantee punters a top night out with some quality music.

Arriving just after doors opened, I was greeted with the sounds of Cee v Tamar who laid down a very nice opening set consisting of light and funky techno and house grooves. At this early stage of the night, there were only a few present in the room however as it neared the end of their set, punters slowly began filling the room.

Next up to the decks was local lad Puff who cranked things up a bit and upped the tempo of the beats. With some rather tight mixes characterized with some clean cuts and use of effects, Puff introduced the style of the night ‘Techno’ in very fine form. Some quality fresh tracks as well as some older favourites highlighted his set including Blake Baxter – Sexuality and Tomaz vs Filterheadz – Sunshine.

Following on from the rocking set Puff laid down was Warren 10 vs Adam Kytka who dropped the edgier techno laced beats and opted for some lighter tech house sounds for the entirety of their set. Although one of the major attractions of the event, Q-Bert, was on over at Metro City as well as Adam Kelly on in the back room, there was still a good crowd presence enjoying the local boys versus set. Many good tunes were dropped throughout their set, one of the stand outs being Natural Rhythm – Freakinthought.

Stacey Pullen hailing from Detroit, the birth place of all things techno, was up next and for the next three or so hours, worked the system and thus the dance floor into a frenzy with his patent blend of funky yet oh so jackin’ Detroit bred beats. Starting out on a more party note, Pullen dropped many crowd pleasers including Erick Morillo feat. Jessica Eve – Dancin’ (2003 Remix) which well and truly got the room worked. Smooth and at times quite subtle mixes as well as plenty of effects and tricks made Pullen’s set more than quality. Most of the time, Pullen was getting busy on the mixer but when he wasn’t he was dancing and cheering along with the crowd, enjoying playing to the punters as much as they were loving dancing to his fine beats. For the last hour of his set, Pullen increased the ‘bang’ factor of his set and started dropping much heavier techno beats such as Kings of Punani – Acid Thunder. This provided the perfect lead up for Space DJ’z who were due on any second.

Space DJ’z then came on and laid down a set unlike any I have ever witnessed before. For a start, their set up consisted of ample hardware, including what appeared to be a DJM600 mixer, CDJ1000 and 3 turntables each as well as other effects units. With two of them up there, both using separate mixers, it could be a problematic set up whereby mixes are way out of sync and thus majorly trainwrecked however this was not the case. In a true act of professional synchronization (call it what you will!) the boys managed to keep mixes right on and beat juggled, scratched and worked the effects constantly much to the approval of the crowd below.

Their set was an amalgamation of all forms of techno, even drawing inspiration from other genres at times however everything laid down always had that trademark ‘bang’ Space DJ’z feel to it. . Keeping it predominantly banging, the boys worked through a stack of tunes including Dave Clarke – Way of Life, Mauro Picotto – New Time, New Place, Adam Beyer & Henrik B – Wombing and Ade Fenton – Second Skin EP.

By 5:30am the crowd was still rocking as the Space DJ’z set gradually neared an end. With the crowded main room at Monkey Bar still so full of stoked faces and enthusiastic dancers, it was clear to see that the Techno and House components of Sonik 2004 were a real success. Stacey Pullen and Space DJ’z laid down quality sets as did the locals and the night was one I’m sure many won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

Special mention should also be made of the Sonik House Arena in the Amplifier Bar which saw locals James A, Adam Kelly, Clint W, Boy and Lee Wilson representing the local house talent and the man of the night Stacey Pullen dropping a class House set which matched if not outdid the goodness of his previous Techno set.