Laundry feat. Sneaky Sound System, Jono Fernandez & 2 Square @ Chinese Laundry, Sydney (20/08/05)

Saturday night was a bit of a spur of the moment affair. One of those nights where you’re pretty keen to go out, but hadn’t really planned to. One of those nights that can end up really, really good… or really, really shite. Thankfully (mostly due to Laundry and some good friends) this Saturday just passed ended up being somewhat of a success. I am, however, a bit annoyed at the Laundry – it’s sucked me dry! Week in, week out we’ve had top notch music makers playing whatever their brand of electronica. It’s a nasty habit that I really can’t quit!

We arrived at around 10pm to the funky sounds of Mo Funk who already had quite a few party people grooving away in the Sand Bar. This is where we chose to consume a few G&Ts. I am always astonished with the ability of the DJs to play within a similar genre, but who constantly make it new and fresh. Mo Funk and then the Bang Gang lads have a habit of being able to do this week in, week out, and this week being no exception. You’re always guaranteed some solid party music to get your night started. The Bang Gang boys were playing warm up to headliners Sneaky Sound System, who were to play later on at 1am.

For the moment though, it was down to the Cave to check out Declan doing his thing with some solid tech and electro to an already up-for-it crowd. I had a brief dance, but decided to head in to ole’ reliable Jules Beaumont with some pumping, care-free house music. The Laundry was comfortably packed during his set, probably in anticipation for Jeff Drake and Mikah Freeman (aka 2 Square) who were next up to the plates. The boys were to throw down a set which can only be described as awesome, and they had the Laundry at capacity for the whole 2 hours they played. They got such a good reaction from the crowd, who were obviously loving what they were hearing. I’d probably say they got a reaction not many DJs see, so big ups to the Canberra boys for showing us how it’s done in style!

I did check out SSS at about 1.30am, and they too had a huge crowd going bananas to their tunes. I personally preferred what was going on in the Laundry so I headed back there and continued to dance, with a couple of trips (literally – that little step is a killer with a few gins in ya!) into the Cave. I didn’t want to miss out on Jono Fernandez from Melbourne, and I guess the bits of the set I heard it would be best to describe it as techy and progressive, but with massive bass… great music is probably more appropriate a term! Unfortunately 2.30am saw my departure and I missed Matt Nugent.

So congrats (again) to the Laundry crew for laying out a quality Aussie line-up, but with some new and exciting additions to the expected. It’s on nights like this that we realise that there’s some really good stuff being done here at home, and internationals aren’t the only way to pull a crowd. My only problem is keeping away from the place!