It’s the big question on New Years Eve in Sydney - to go out partying, or just to have a quiet one? Maybe watch the fireworks from a park or an apartment with a great view.  And with a plethora of parties to pick from this NYE, the former option was not that easy to ignore.

French electroclash star Miss Kittin was heading up the lineup at Gas and Bohem, alongside DJ T, co-founder of the Berlin-based deep house label Get Physical Music.  Having most recently been in Sydney in the very, very cramped quarters of the Cave at the Chinese Laundry for a live set alongside her collaborator the Hacker, plus a short DJ set, this time Miss Kittin was returning to bigger surrounds for a 3 hour DJ set.

Arriving at about 11pm, I discovered that there had been a large increase in the numbers of couches and chairs in Bohem since I’d last been to that part of the club.  We were offered the choice between lounging around upstairs, where Boogs was spinning some nu-wave influenced tracks and big basslines, or else to head downstairs to the more driving electrotech being dished up by Dave Slade.  My friends and I instead choose to do some mad dancing on the dancefloor upstairs.

Midnight passed upstairs without much excitement, simply a brief countdown before Ajax took over on the decks, leading to hugs and kisses for all around.  It wasn’t actually until after midnight that many people arrived at the club, although it never ended up being crowded. 

Downstairs at 1am it was time for Miss Kittin.  Miss Kittin’s set veered predominantly towards the techno side of things, rather than the electroclash leanings her productions are known for.  She started off with some rather minimalist tracks, before building up with tracks like Inner City’s Good Life to some acid influenced tracks.  For the remainder of her set she mixed it up in general between tech based tracks, some electroclash, and a few big storming numbers. 

A treat was the addition of her singing live vocals over the top of some tracks, particularly on Stock Exchange, which, as she commented, the crowd loved.  Along with more of her own tracks, including Professional Distortion off her latest album, she also included some tracks off the Hacker’s most recent album.  The set was nicely complemented by the tough images on the screen behind her.

Meanwhile, upstairs DJ T played a 2 hour set.  His set moved between synth melodies over strong electro rhythms to deep tech house to beautiful jazzy melodies.  I really enjoyed what I heard of it, and would have liked to have heard more, but I wasn’t really up for dancing with my sore feet and it was a bit chilly sitting down in Bohem.  I ended up spending more time downstairs, as unfortunately many other people did, meaning they missed out on some impressive music.  I recommend catching him later this month when he plays again in Sydney.

Finally, at 4am, Miss Kittin wound up her set, and I decided it was time to head home.  It was a great night and everyone agreed the music was excellent.  However, it was lacking a little extra something special for a New Years Eve party.  Maybe next year I’ll watch the midnight fireworks like it seemed many people did, to make it different.