It was just over two years ago that Heath Robertson and Matt Parker began the Echo experience at the Soda Room, here in Adelaide. I remember the few Adelaide trance faithfuls turning up to see what Echo was all about; to witness DJs like Matt Parker, Solace, Damage and Melbourne DJ Steve Strangis take control on the decks and blow their minds and ears with sounds far removed from the then Adelaide norms.

Echo has since firmly established itself as Adelaide’s leading trance night and rightfully so. Regular crowds, solid music, relaxed punters and a regular flow of talented acts are the reasons for this success. Last Friday was another stellar example of the pumping trance music that is available to Adelaide fans. I walked into the club a little after 11pm, which had given the club crowd time to gather and settle. On stepping through the doorway, we were treated to DJ Solace delivering some solid and uplifting trance. A nice mix of ‘Chase the Sun’ greeted me as I walk across the swelling dance floor and it only got better from there. Solace continued to drive some serious trance and Micro De Govia by Voller Sterne received an awesome response from the crowd and gave almost a ‘Seven Cities’ feel across the room. A great remix of ‘Wasting’ by Hidden Logic was also met with smiles and respect on the floor.

Not long after this, we were treated to local talent, Systembot. Systembot took the crowd one step further than Solace, and raised the mood to another level. Energised as the crowd was, they maintained their intensity to follow the live tunes… and what tunes they were! The Systembot boys drove it hard and to anyone who has not seen them live before, take the time to in the near future. Systembot are a serious talent and should be supported by as many local trance heads as possible.

Then at 1am, the moment we all were waiting for, John Askew. I saw John play at his resident club in London while living there and he is every bit the DJ he is acclaimed to be. This set was Turnmills revisited for me and reminiscent of the UK where trance maintains a strong following. Askew treated Adelaide to a real trance treat and gave us a smashing two hours as only he can. Driven by purely thumping, electrifying beats, the crowd responded in kind. I am already looking forward to another Askew set and I am sure the Echo boys will have him back again.

After John Askew, ATB and DR D closed out the night to a dwindling floor. This would have to be my only minor criticism towards the crowd. Trance of this calibre does not occur every weekend in Adelaide and when it is on, the trance heads should show their support for all DJs over the course of the night, especially for a veteran like ATB. The punters who carried the flame were rewarded, while those with early bedtimes simply missed out.

That said, I know the Echo crew want to send their thanks to the Trance SA boys for gathering as much local support as they did. Let’s keep the crowds coming and the trance nights rolling. For those of you who got the latest Echo promo CD, you’ll know that it’s a cracker, with Matt’s CD one of the best he has mixed in recent times. Look out for a set from Steve Strangis at Echo in October!