Fantasia: Laser Nation @ Undisclosed Venue, Sydney (26/02/05)
This was the sixth edition in the Fantasia series which was brought to us by the boys at Silver Entertainment, always striving to create a different theme they called this one Laser Nation and with good reason. The lasers were all done by Laser Probe who light the floor up with an array of green beams and white flashing lights.
We arrived at about 11.30pm, the Homebush based venue was the perfect size for me – quite a large hall with a large outdoor chill out area where the music could still be heard. Team Rocket were up on stage playing new school with their DJ/MC combo consisting of Dave PSI, QT and Destiny. The dance floor was already filled with happy party goers.
Next up playing the 12-1 old-skool set was Nik Fish and Peewee, that’s right Nik Fish and Peewee returning to their roots and playing all the really early old-skool tracks, the stuff you don’t hear anymore except on old rave tapes which are hard to get. It was unreal, and they mixed like they had never left the world of hardcore.
After that blast from the past came three of the biggest and most sought after DJs in the Australian rave scene Weaver, Suae and Tom-E. They played a massive three hour set that started of with an hour of what would best be described as uplifting hardstyle with some hard trance thrown in for good measure. I’ve never actually seen Weaver play anything other than hardcore but he still brought the heat. The set finished with all the newest happy hardcore which the crowd went crazy too – because there’s some pretty good stuff coming out lately!
I came back in after going for a walk outside as Amber Savage and Matrix were about fifteen minutes into their hardstyle set. Matrix ripped it up with some pretty out there scratching and Amber answered back with her super tight mixing style. The next set had been long anticipated by all I spoke to. It was Midian and Oky playing some Spanish hardcore, and I know it’s pretty rare so I couldn’t miss it. Although somewhat slower than UK hardcore the crowd loved it and I couldn’t help but have one last dance.
After that set we had to go but the night was a complete success. One of the first raves I’ve been to in a while where they had the right DJs playing the prefect genre for each part of the night. Thanks to the boys from Silver Entertainment (Rob, Shaun and Tommy), Laser Probe for that awesome laser show and Showtime who did all the productions for the night. Can’t wait to see what theme you guys pick for the next Fantasia. Until then..!
