This is the event that everyone had been waiting for. New Years Eve – with a special live performance by Perth bred Pendulum, a DJ set by Pendulum’s El Hornet and Perth’s 1st time seeing Chase & Status and The Next Men along with the Godfather of drum&bass – Grooverider closing the night.

Tickets went on sale and in just about 2 weeks, it was already sold out. Some ticket’s were even being sold on eBay ranging from prices like $250 to $300 each – just showing how much demand there was to be at this gig. Sure enough, it did deliver – probably being one of the best New Years Eve shows Perth has ever seen in a long time.

We got there at about 8:30pm, unfortunately missing Shock One’s set, which was actually said to be quite impressive by a lot of punters who were there early. We managed to catch a bit of Downsyde’s performance, a very chilled hip-hop experience which then turned into a faster tempo style of hip hop which got the crowd going. By this time, the whole amphitheatre was pretty much already full and we knew the night was going to be a big one.

The Next Men then hit the stage – I’d never heard of them before nor seen had any idea of what kind of act they were, but it was such a refreshing set, filled with variety, even dropping tracks like “Back in Black” by AC/DC and many more classics. Scratching over the top and MC Dynamite hyping up the crowd – The Next Men certainly pleased the crowd amping them up for the next act.

Chase and Status was up next, unfortunately only Status was playing as Chase could not make it to the Australian tour. I had been waiting to see Chase & Status for a very long time as they have to be my favourite drum&bass producer/dj duo. Status did not disappoint. I headed down to the huge dance canyon and every single mix was spot on – hard, fast and relentless. His track selection was impeccable, and his set would have to be the highlight of the night. He closed with the epic tune “In Love” featuring Jenna G which got everyone in the mood for a super New Years Eve celebration.

El Hornet stepped up next and provided more relentless spot on mixing. His set was tight and varied in tempo playing some electro breaks and even some electro house styles. He definitely showed his versatility when it comes to mixing and blew the place away when he mixed in the Smashing Pumpkin’s classic tune “1979”.

The countdown started and the crowd roared as there was 15 seconds to midnight, chanting all the way down till the clock struck 12 and a huge “Happy New Year” vibe spread across the whole amphitheatre filled with hugs and jubilant expression. 2007 was finally here and boy did it start with a bang.

Pendulum Live started an act which can only be described as amazing. Live guitars, drums and opening with a specially remixed edition of “Blood Sugar” got the crowd moving. Seeing about 5000 people rocking out to the sounds of drum&bass in the amphitheatre was a sight in itself. The lighting, production and sound was all top notch. They were incredible on stage with a great presence and definitely did what they came back here to Perth to do – to entertain us. I’d have to say this was probably one of the best New Years Eve gigs ever held in Perth. The promotion and organisation was top notch, people seemed well behaved and it was a super start to the New Year.

Grooverider came on at 1am and started a set which was stated by the MC that this would be recorded live here in Perth and then played on the legendary BBC 1xtra show in the UK. His set was alright, but unfortunately we did not stay till the end so that we could beat the crazy onslaught of 5000 people leaving Belvoir at the same time at the end of the event.

All in all it was a momentous occasion – One of the best New Year Party’s ever. Thanks to Triple J, Trafik International, Pendulum and all the other artists and punters that made this an event to remember.