Remember those days back when you were a young inexperienced eighteen year old clubber and you set off in search for some of the better clubs around Sydney? Maybe for many this is still the case, but for others like me Saturday night represented a trip back to one of the places where my clubbing days began. Returning to The Arthouse was always going to be an interesting experience: I wasn’t there though for the atmosphere, the social appeal or the glamour. I was there for one man who has taken the dance music scene by storm. A superstar in his own right, undoubtedly his innovativeness and showmanship was always going to make for another great night of music, no matter where he was performing.

Lucky enough though, in anticipation of long queues and the possibility of missing the start of Tocadisco’s set, it was in our better judgment that we got there early enough to get swiftly through the front door and listen to the bass infused tech sounds of Telefunken, who were warming up the mixer knobs quite nicely. Telefunken was playing music that enhanced the sophisticated perception, and quite adequately provided the ever growing crowd with something to harmlessly listen to while waiting for Shamus and Tocadisco to really start beating the mixer around. Shamus played his usual popular electro house set consisting of remixes like Chris Lake’s Changes and The Red Hot Chilli Pepper’s By The Way. Sure his track selection was more than a good smidgen of the latest Ministry of Sound Annual, but there were no complaints from the crowd as they all secured their tight dancing space in anticipation for the set that was to follow.

With the lights dimmed low and the searching strobe lights drifting across the room, it was time for Tocadisco to cause mayhem on the mixer. After just seeing him a week ago on New Years Eve, there was still a further need to witness one of most rated rising stars in dance music and this was going to be my last chance for a while. With darkness cascading through the room, Tocadisco quickly got his act for the evening underway, showcasing his new introduction and some really banging techno tracks early on in the piece. This was occasionally mashed with more mainstream tracks including Dave Spoon’s At Night, The Creeps by The Freaks and his remix of Sharem’s PATT (Party All the Time). Tocadisco laid all his DJ skills out on display, from multi-layering, sampling, and majestic build-ups beyond comprehension. In some ways really teasing, but also enticing the crowd ever so more. Tocadisco’s remix of The Egg’s Walking Away had multiple samplings throughout the set, adding to his technically divine array of tricks. The surprise packet however of the set was definitely the classic track by the Chemical Brother’s Hey Boy, Hey Girl. From the banging tech sounds, to electro house and even a little smidgen of deep and progressive house, Tocadisco had offered it all. It wasn’t long until he was nearing the end of the set and his time at Kink. Some tasty tracks were still to follow though including Soul Central’s Strings of Life, Mason’s Exceeder and even a remix of The Prodigy’s Breath. He soon ended with the track of the moment, Mandy vs. Booka Shade‘s Body Language, before bowing to his adoring crowd. This was just before Ben Morris had to carry on with the formidable task of keeping the crowd sufficed with his blend of tracks.

It was James Taylor who had my attention though as we were walking out the door, as suddenly the Breaks and Beats room exploded with people flowing out of the main room into the beats room to enjoy some great party breaks. Tracks included a remix of Bang Gang’s I Like to Move It and the Gorillaz’s track Feel Good Inc. Another big night and even though I can’t say that it was my all time favourite Tocadisco set, it was gratifying enough that it meant it was time to go home and enjoy some well deserved slumber.