Chinese Laundry celebrated its 9th birthday this weekend just gone. From the outset we were promised a stellar line up including the likes of PQM and Rowan Blades, who just happen to be two of my favourite DJs. Not only this, but there was the lure of a surprise guest. Now “surprise guests” generally give me the shits. You arrive, and it’s “DJ Nobody” who happened to meet Mylo when he toured the North Coast and has a pair of headphones handy. Thankfully, and as I should have assumed, Jam Music and Chinese Laundry pulled through with the goods once again – the surprise guest was none other than Sandy Rivera, one of the most revered (get it?) house DJs in the world. He may have played the back catalogue of house cheese like a five year old at We Love Sounds, but his performance at the Laundry was fantastic, and no-one who was there on Saturday could disagree with that!

Arriving at about 9.30 and heading downstairs, there was a media/members celebration thing going on in the Laundry at this stage, and I am more than happy to say the beers and shots were flowing freely. Nothing says “good night” like free drinks. And as I downed my third shot of some delicious liquor, I knew I was in for something special. Add to this (the drinks that is) the cooler than cool crew who make the Laundry what it is week in and week out, and we’ve already got one hell of a celebration… and it wasn’t even 11.

PQM was up in the Sand Bar throwing down some very tasty hip hop and funk, and he had the girls going crazy, and the boys going crazy for the girls. Oh, and the music of course. I stuck around for a bit, but I prefer PQM’s more tech breaks influenced sound, so decided to do my thing down in the cave where Gus and Jaime put us through our paces – and had the Cave absolutely foaming at the mouth. Think big bass, big beats and that sweet tech/electro feel they’ve become infamous for. In the Cave we also had one of the kings of progressive play one of the phattest sets I’ve heard in quite a while. Rowan Blades is one of those DJs that doesn’t really have the status he deserves. He has this amazing ability to rock a room or a warehouse, or a stage like the Hordern. His tune selection and energy behind the decks is beaten only by the skill he holds in his little finger on the more technical side of things. And he certainly knows what DJing and producing is all about – US!

In the Laundry a bit later on I noticed Mr Rivera already comfortable behind the plates with a room full of dancing bodies and smiling faces. He played a great house set, and as with Mr Blades, really has an ability to influence the vibe of a dancefloor. Whilst his style isn’t really my cup of vodka, I enjoyed the way he was able to make so many people happy. At the same time as wanting to catch Sandy’s set, I was also interested in our own Steve Lind who was up in the Sand Bar. If I wasn’t doing enough aerobic dancing downstairs, I was forced to run up and down those bastards like 500 times so as not to miss out on either performance, whilst also keeping an eye on the Cave and trying to see some of my mates. As always, Steve was average. I’m joking, he was awesome. Again. He played a great mix of party tunes and some cool hip hop all with a touch of old school. There was a great party atmosphere up in the Sand Bar, most likely due to the great sounds being pumped through the system and I was happy to jump around like a tool and watch the man at work.

The vibe I have mentioned over and over was the most noticeable thing on Saturday. It was one of the best nights I’ve had at the Laundry – and trust me, that’s a big call. I mean the DJs on the night are all world class, the venue is great and the party people are fun. Add to that the secret ingredient of “vibe” and you’ve pretty much got what everyone is looking for in a night out. So, happy birthday Chinese Laundry, I look forward to many happy returns.