This years Belfast NYE played host to one of the early pioneers of techno, Richie Hawtin. This was a major drawing card for attendees both young and old who hold Hawtin in an almost reverant state in Melbourne. His minimal techno sets using final scratch are legendary to those who love his style. This set the stage for a big night at the Melbourne Metro.

Having witnessed the fireworks in the city, myself and a group of friends hit the Metro just after midnight, the heatwave of 43 degrees Celcius winding back, giving Melbournian party goers some mild relief into the night. Entering the Metro, it was immediately evident it was going to be a difficult night, as the venue was steaming inside, so instantly the bar became a water sanctuary. Richie Rich and Jayse were playing many of the Melbourne old school favourites at this stage, with tracks including Move any Mountain by the Shamen, Voodoo Child by Voodoo Child (Moby), Anticapella, Bizarre Inc. playing with Knives, and the Quazar double, seven stars and midsummer nights dream. Despite the oppressive heat the crowd were up for these tunes and getting right into it early.

I decided to check out some of the other areas within Metro at this stage, with different levels provided a wide range of music from early 90s house right through to early hard trance. I did not see many of the side room sets, although it was clear the Pharmacy Hard Revolutions area was extremely popular. There was no escaping the heat as all areas were suffering from high temperatures throughout the night. The time I spent in the Laser Gun vs Chinese Laundry area was minimal, with few people dancing here, the punters more interested in kicking back listening to the tunes rather than the floor getting major use. Again I attribute this to the oppressive heat.

A popular strategy for the evening was to sit right at the top of the Metro club where seats were plentiful and a slight breeze on occasion providing some minor relief, and to look out over the vast floor. It was a great location to kick back and enjoy the scenery. I perched myself here for most of the night settling in to hear Richie Hawtins 3 hour set, with the occasional visit down stairs for a dance. He arrived on stage at 1.30, there were some technical difficulties with the music and the start of his set began with Anonghay and Red 2 by Dave Clark and unusually with Run DMC and Jason Nevin. With technical problems addressed, Hawtin instantly began his set with deep, minimal tracks that would have appealed to the minimal Hawtin fans. He took the crowd on a driving experience, the music seeming to walk hand in hand and interestingly compliment the difficult heat conditions of the venue. For those who are used to being at Belfast and hearing all the classics right through the night, may have been dissapointed as Hawtin moved in a completely different tangent from the usual format. The Hawtin fans were given an added bonus of hearing him for an extra hour, as Nick Fish, who was billed to be playing after Hawtin, did not play. Some of the more recogniseable tracks Hawtin played included Beltram, Energy Flash, Lil Louis French Kiss. Jaydee plastic Dreams. He played a great deal of his own music, tracks under the guise of PlastikMan. One of the standouts of Hawtins set was the VIP area, beng able to stand behind him and watch how he used Final Scratch to the full extent.

Richie Rich again took over after Richie Hawtin, bringing back a steady stream of the more well know classics, including Abfahrt Come Into My Life Breathless Mix, I do say Acis by NASA, Paragliders by Oliver Lieb (Humate Mix), Blue Monday by New Order, and Yeke Yeke (Hardfloor Mix). This short set was soon followed by Jason Midro, who I caught the start of, and he played Cosmic Baby Heavens Tears, Nexus 6 Tres Chic. Seven O`Clock struck and it was time to head home, to take advantage of the last free trains, and to finally be rid of the sauna like conditions in the Metro. Overall the party was entertaining, however the heat made it hard for the crowd to really hit a strong vibe.