There aren’t too many names more synonymous in Australian trance and hard
dance than Transmission and this is with very good reason. For the past ten years they
have been putting on huge shows in Sydney as well as taking their show along with big
name international DJ’s around the country. The latest instalment of Transmission: The
Magic City touched down in Perth on May 19th. Before this event I wondered who would
headline the Perth leg of the tour and I nearly died with joy when I saw the name
Proteus showing boldly on the flier. The word “insane” is the first that comes to mind
however no single word can give any kind of justice to the Proteus experience!

Every time I look at event listings around the country and see names that don’t
come to Perth I get a major case of the green eyed guzungas. Finland’s DJ Proteus has
always been a DJ on my “please visit Perth” wish list, an entry that I thought I would
never see crossed off. As they say though, never say never! Transmission: The Magic
City would go down as one of the very best ever for anyone who loves their hard
dance.

My good raver buddies and I decided to hit Rise fairly early to sample the appetisers
on offer. Between 10 and 11;40 two real up & coming DJ’s; Todd Perry and DJ Ziad
warmed up the ever growing attendance at Rise with a selection of chunky trance
stompers. Whilst some people got straight into dancing, me and my crew thought it be
best to grab a drink and preserve the energy stores for the madness that would ensue
later. Before the event I noticed that DJ Nervous, the face of Transmission, was missing
from the line up but that mattered not as Todd Perry and Ziad delivered the goods just
as well.

Rise resident DJ Simon Barwood upped the tempo as he took over at 11:45. By this
stage Rise was absolutely rammed and I could not resist the temptation to head to the
dance floor. Was it my imagination or was the laser bigger than usual this time? That was
the last I thought of the lighting effects though as I then remembered who would be
following Simon Barwood! The Rise massive was firmly wrapped around Simon
Barwood’s finger as there was hardly anyone standing still.

The headliner for Transmission: The Magic City loomed large over the 1’s and 2’s as
a few people in he crowd looked like they expected him to break out an electric guitar.
DJ Proteus is from Finland, a country in the Scandinavia region of Europe, which is a
black and power metal heartland. Proteus’ stage presence, the records that he plays and
produces has a strong metal influence which works perfectly. I can’t get enough of DJ’s
who add a visual element to their performance rather than just standing there spinning
records.

This sort of music is not at all for the feint of heart! Just as Proteus began his set the
balcony was empty of bodies as everyone went to the dance floor to see what all the fuss
was about. Rise was so full that the upper level of the club was opened, a sight that I
haven’t seen for ages. Yet as Proteus leapt into action a few people couldn’t quite handle
the tempo being as high as 160 BPM. My friends and I giggled at a few punters who said
it was too much for them. As the saying goes; go hard or go home!

Most of Rise went very, very hard though showing how it’s done to the scaredy cats
who didn’t come prepared to have their minds and senses melted by a fireball of an aural
and visual display. A few Magic Citizens including myself jumped about with pure delight
as we shook Protues’ hand whilst he was in between mixes. Not only is it awesome to see
a showman of such quality but it’s also great to see a true gent as Proteus even stayed
behind after his set to chat to his fans at the bar and sign their CD’s. A definite highlight
of Proteus’ set was his last track; a working by the man himself called “Venia.” This tune
is nothing short of awe inspiring as it juxtaposes a break neck speed beat with
passionate female opera singing. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who had a tear drop or
two in my eyes during this track.

It seemed that no sooner had Proteus’ set had started that it had finished. Time sure
does fly when you’re having fun! Transmission: The Magic City wasn’t done yet though.
Following Proteus’ ballistic performance was a versus set between DJ Weavy and Rousa.
It came as a surprise and a shock to hear Rousa banging out hardhouse and hard techno
but this wasn’t at all a bad thing as it went down very well with the Magic City party
people. It was fantastic to see that the club didn’t empty following the international
performance although it was time for a drink or two with my crew to cool down after
Proteus’ one and a half hours behind the decks.

MadFX and Rod James took Rise from 4 til 5 and these two new kids on the block
shifted the momentum from clubby hardhouse back to darker territory again. It was hard
to resist the temptation to go back out there on the floor although I’m sure it wasn’t my
body not doing as I wanted it to following the enjoyably exhausting experience that was
Proteus’ set. Hard trance and hardstyle was the order of the day as Steven Tranzor and
DJ Mayhem faced off to close out the night before 6. The last remaining Magic Citizens
were treated to a well put together set by these two stalwarts of the Perth scene.

My crew and I made our way down the Rise steps along with many other happy
faces who had experience a night not to be forgotten for a long time to come. A very
special thanks must go to the DJ’s, Rise and Transmission for bringing Perth this
spectacular event and one of the world’s most spectacular DJ’s! Hopefully Perth will once
again be treated to the Proteus experience again sometime soon. We also eagerly await
the Transmission 10th Birthday.