Sniff sniff went the sniffer dogs, creating a touch of uninvited excitement at The Greenwood today. Scratch scratch went the DJs, with an awesome line-up of locals on the bill to entertain the punters. Sip sip went the crowd with the bar excessively busy from beginning to end and kiss kiss went the couples, with love and Christmas spirit filling the air.

There has recently been a touch of controversy on the ITM forums recently over the music policy of the main courtyard area at Sounds on Sunday, but the reality is the promoters have been filling out the venue week in week out, making it one of the most consistently popular weekly events on the Sydney clubbing calendar. Putting any personal musical misgivings aside, the exciting lineup of DJs that were on the bill this week certainly got a great reaction from the punters, causing the venue to fill and the queue to stretch a mile long outside the venue.

There were four excellent DJs in the Courtyard today, however the fact that I was sporting a hangover from a heavy night of clubbing the evening before meant I was only able to catch the final three. I was told that Johnny Rad played a typically monster set, as is his style, successfully motivating a venue that was already decently crowded by that stage.

I caught most of Trix & Goodfella’s set, who were really moving Sounds on Sunday through some uncharted territory with some of the music they were playing. The main event however, the man that everyone had come to see (or hear) was Ajax. It’s easy to see why he was voted #1 in the Technics inthemix50 DJ Poll in 2006, as his revved-up personality, varied and incredible musical selection and all-round genius behind the decks was on display for everyone to see. Ajax certainly blew everyone away. Some of the tracks heard from this manic master of the DJing craft included a remix of Guns & Roses’ Sweet Child O’ Mine, as well as the old Khia track My Neck, My Back seamlessly being played over some wicked unknown beat.

Even the Chapel had a decent size crowd today, suggesting to me that a love and appreciation for quality house music may be on the rise in Sydney. But it was a pity that with such a packed venue and a busy uptake of alcohol all day, that the bar in one of the side rooms was shut. It may have been because of staff calling in sick or underestimating the number of people who were going to turn up, but either way it was a minor downside to such an incredible day.

Q45 was also magic in the Hijack room, his excellent selection of breaks and party hip hop winning over even the most dubious of hardcore electro house fans. The main man himself, Shamus, closed up the night with a massive three-hour set in the courtyard. I’m a bit of a fan of Shamus and what he’s able to do with two decks and a mixer, and he is also a great guy to have a beer with. His selection of tracks inspired and entertained the masses, and between him and Q45, Ajax, Trix & Goodfella, Johnny Rad, James Taylor and MC Losty, it made for an incredible day for both me and the few hundred other people who chose to spend their Sunday at the Greenwood.