Ministry of Sound is perhaps one of the better known brands and labels within the electronic music scene today, with CD releases and branded tours being churned out at a very rapid rate. So it was no surprise then, that there was already a steady line forming out the front of Metro City just after doors opened at 9pm last Friday night. The brand itself will always pull a fair sized crowd, but add to that the fact that John Digweed was returning to Perth after a six year hiatus and you can start to fathom what all the fuss was about. Popular interstate DJ Mark Dynamix and Germany’s Mr. ‘I don’t want nobody, don’t want nobody baby… but you’ Tom Novy were also extra flavours on the line as well as some very talented local players.

After a brief stand in the line, (props to the security at Metro’s for getting everyone in as fast as possible) it was a surprise to see Metro’s already bustling full of people. The levels were slowly being opened one at a time as capacity dictated more room was required. The room itself was notably dark and the sound system was sounding a lot more healthy and crisp than usual; even the stage was set up nicely and the bright visuals board situated behind the DJ console was enough to spin out pretty much anyone. Kriece was in the mix and he was blending some smooth yet deep tech house numbers which were all so quality in their own right. It’s no wonder this understated local has done so well both DJ’ing and production wise on an international level.

Adam Kelly had the warm up duties for Tom Novy and he wasted no time in upping the tempo and delivering one slamming house set which attracted punters to the dance floor in a very quick and unrelenting fashion. This got the nights proceedings well and truly underway and by the end of his set, Kelly had the crowd amped and ready for the first international contingent of the evening.

Tom Novy continued on this energetic house tip, dropping a stack of chunky electro tinged house numbers which the crowd so clearly loved and threw themselves into. The dance floor was packed and even random areas near the bars, outside toilets and underneath stairs were used for punters to bust a move or ten. Novy enveloped the room with his music and vibe and kept everyone entertained from the top level all the way down to the ground floor. Looking up at the different levels must have been very rewarding for him, as every level was full of punters dancing and waving their hands to his concoction of beats. Whilst his track selections may have appeared commercial or contrived to some, it seemed the majority in the room were stoked with this German DJ’s set; a testament to the fact that he can make fun music as well as play it.

Mark Dynamix mixed a few interim tracks as John Digweed appeared from backstage, sorting his records and checking out the set up at hand. After a brief intro from Dynamix, the moment most everyone had been waiting for, six years in the making, had come to pass. Digweed dropped a light and very atmospheric prog track which seemed to last forever, a glance around the room saw that most punters were in awe of the return of Digweed, their respectful glances indicating their thoughts. As the beat joined the atmospherics of the track, the room mirrored this change in tempo with their dance moves and Diggers proceeded to unleash uplifting yet very firmly progressive based track selections. Gradually moving through this thick tapestry of sound, Diggers dropped a stack of straight up progressive mixed with a selection of upfront house and even some tech laced prog breaks. His slight, gradual and thoughtful mixes were so well crafted and the levels he used were so perfect, it was as if one track just gradually weaved its way into the next one. His stage presence was a reflection of his music; he appeared to be quite serious and more interested in getting each EQ level and mix just right, rather than ‘waving his hands in the air like he just don’t care’. The absence of any Northern Exposure tunes or other such classics came as a surprise and disappointment to some, however the upfront new selections he came armed with seemed to be appreciated by most regardless.

After such a long and extensive wait for the man to return, I couldn’t help but feel a little let down by his overall performance. Perhaps I had conjured up far too high expectations in his long absence from our shores. Or perhaps he has changed over time and that’s just how he is these days. Either way, he dropped a seamless set and witnessing what I did, it’s no wonder he still has such a solid reputation after all of these years.

Mark Dynamix took the room to close with some funked up electro house tracks and before long, the lights went up, the music went off and the sunnies (for the lucky ones with foresight) came on as the Ministry of Sound Annual had come to an end for 2005. Whilst the music didn’t completely grab my attention for the night’s entirety; I still found myself having a very, very good night out. There was a good crowd and a nice atmosphere to boot.

Props to those responsible, I had yet another wicked night out!