Ambar played host to possibly the coolest Christmas party in town last Friday night as the Smirnoff Ice IntheMix party series landed for the Perth leg of the tour. Boasting a rocking line up of local talent controlling the decks as well as the infamous drink specials those in the know have come to love (and loathe – depending on how hard you hit it!), this party had all the right trimmings for a truly kick ass festive bash. InTheMix has certainly had a very good and prosperous year with its ongoing high levels of quality and a complete site transformation as well as the release of an annual magazine (which is mighty fine – check it out if you haven’t already). Whilst most in attendance were fellow members of the site, anyone could RSVP to get entry which meant that throughout the night, there was an array of both familiar and not so familiar faces, all together as one and having a great time.

As doors opened, a small but steady line of punters began making their way into the intimate room, making the most of the sweet as drink specials. Always one to encourage and promote up and coming talent, InTheMix once again allowed for those who RSVP’d to vote for an up and coming DJ to play on the night. DJ Hyfen was the resulting winner and he was first to hit the decks on the evening. He laid down a nice set of funky house, which was the perfect way to get the nights musical proceedings underway. He combined some smooth mixes and rocking tracks to create quite the nice set which those early enough to witness him in action were enjoying.

Ambar selected DJ Resist as their up and comer to play on the night and he followed on from Hyfen, dropping an equally quality set of the house and breaks variety. Getting through quite a few tracks, Resist worked every mix nice and smooth and he was definitely making the most of one of his first experiences of playing in a club environment. It was good to see the few punters already on the dance floor, enjoying these two talented up and coming DJ’s sets.

Well-known locals DJ’s FMT and Lee Wilson then stepped up jacked things up a little whilst still keeping it ‘housey’. Working through tracks across the house spectrum, the duo combined clever mixes to create an awesome set, aimed directly at those on the dance floor. By this stage, the room was rather packed and most notably, the dance floor, which was full of people grooving away to the quality, sounds pumping the system. Chad D and Flex followed on from these two and keeping things on a house note, dropped a rocking set which attracted even more to hit the floor and bust a move or ten. There were smiles all around as the time started to make its way into the early hours of the morning.

Up next was by far the most interesting set of the evening as the duo consisting of local breaks DJ Micah and techno DJ Andrew Utting stepped up to the decks. At first thought, one might think that this contrast in styles would be too much to actually sound quality, but after hearing just the first part of their set, it was easy to see anyone that thought this was entirely wrong. As they mixed their own tracks and then in between each style on the cross mixes, it was apparent to see this combination was killer and the resulting sound and overall set was awesome to say the least. Those in the room were either dancing, or if they were doing anything else, would intermittingly stop to pay attention to the sounds rocking the room.

By the time their set had come to an end, it was Karlsav and Wish’s duty to take the night until close, which they did with a no holds, barred breaks set. They worked so well together, and the overall set was a truly rocking breaks excursion which all those still standing were stoked to hear. Their mixes added to the tracks themselves and they made their way through so many tunes; which kept things fresh and interesting as the sounds kept moving. 

This Christmas party was certainly one to remember and let’s hope Santa wasn’t watching or no one in attendance will be getting presents this Saturday! Plenty of drinks, so much good music and a stack of cool like-minded people made this years Smirnoff Ice InTheMix Christmas Party a most memorable one.

Merry Christmas to all!