This cold, dark winter’s night, the Vibewire crew were warming souls in the heart of the city with fine samplings from local electronic and dance music artists brought together in support of vibewire.net, an alternative youth media platform.
‘Wired For Sound’ attracted a lively and friendly following who settled into their surroundings with great ease. Early in the evening most candidates took the opportunity to sit back and let the varied beats build around them.
The Abercrombie proved ideal for this relaxed listening experience offering all the warmth of a house party. Mushroom heaters and garden furniture made for a cosy outdoor setting while indoors you could take the opportunity to be swallowed by a couch, or alternatively, give the booty a little shakin’.
Ready to inspire both was a wicked assembly representing the best of Sydney’s electronic talent. Inside, the cross section included the Kooky Gemma and Seymour Butz, Alphatown with their fine tech samplings, Purdy, Deckard, Soul Tech Sound System, Sensum and more.
Soul Tech Sound System, emerging as an unquantifiable, yet unpresumptuous, strength in the Sydney electronica scene, opened strongly with an atmospheric electronic sound scape that progressed into a wildly varied and, at times, flamboyant set. A multiplicity that has begun to characterise their own brand of Soul/Tech sounds.
The night showcased a full spectrum of beats playing back-to-back in short one-hour bursts. The sound technicians approached the model enthusiastically and seemed to enjoy being amongst such an eclectic crew. At times the music indoors did seem a little out of sync with the very chilled and intimate crowd; However, never obtrusively so.
The courtyard area was largely the domain of the live component of the electro/dance music line up and once again, stopped over in many states of sound. The spectrum ranged from the laddish, hip hop rhymes of Chaos Maths, to the pulsing vibrations and flying drum sticks of Percussion Junction. By the time the emotive and spirited Coda, all strings and wigs, were up, the beer garden was aglow with friendly jostling and beaming faces.
The performances were not necessarily the best the artists had played. Chaos Maths grappled with technical difficulties and Coda were by no means redelivering their recent splendour at the Opera House; however, this wasn’t important. The relationship of performer with audience was a very open where a more relaxed and personable performance was fitting.
The highlight towards the end of the evening was seeing Disjunction Reunion warm the courtyard. While his laptop did all the work bringing us some lively, original drum & bass/hybrid beats, his dancing hands orchestrated even more enthusiasm from the crowd.
It was heartening to see so many people coming together in friendly support of both alternative media sources and an awesome line up of local electronic and dance music artists, showing what a strong collaborative force Vibewire and promoters Circuitry, High Jinks, Beats & Pieces and Mumbo Jumbo could be. We shall continue to be engaged and empowered by the offerings at Vibewire.net.
