Okay, I’m going to get this part out of the way straight away… PLUR.

Well now that’s out of my system, let’s get on with things.

For those of you who are old enough to have remembered raving in the 90s, the Still Buggin’ crew is here to intermittently remind you of exactly why it was so damn fun. For those (like me), who were still in elementary school when Dye Witness’ What Would You Like To Hear Again? was getting a thrashing, it’s not exactly a trip down memory lane, but it’s still loads of fun to get a look in to the music and partying of yesteryear.

Having never even been to a rave, I was feeling a little daunted at the prospect of attending a night dedicated solely to the old schoolers. But the vibe at Techno Blueprint, the latest Still Buggin’ party, was so warm, friendly, welcoming and music-focused that I could have shown up dressed as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and the crowd probably wouldn’t have even batted an eyelid. And that’s what it was all about back in the day, or so I’ve been told: acceptance, respect, music, and most importantly – fun. It’s such a shame crowds these days don’t have the same kind of attitude towards going out.

Before getting stuck in to the music though, a little needs to be said about the production. Two words spring to mind immediately: god damn. Promoters – where’s the effort these days? Techno Blueprint put just about any current promoter to shame when it comes to extra production. The venue might have been a pretty average bar opposite UTS, but the effort that went in to the lighting and sound certainly didn’t go unnoticed by this reviewer. And the lasers were definitely the icing on the cake.

But enough blabbing, on with the music. Now while “back in the day” (or so I’m told) most of what was played would have just been called “techno”, in today’s wonderful world of sub-genres, it’s a little easier to get a better description of the music across to you the reader, so I’ll be using some modern terms, but keep in mind it’s only out of necessity.

Jade started out the evening with a thoroughly enjoyable set of 90s piano house that was so fun it should have been illegal, and Reaver followed on superbly with a tight live set of Hi NRG and old school rave sounds that featured both his own material and a couple of classics such as Ravesignal’s Horsepower and In Trance by General Bass.

Next up Shade jumped on to the decks and put most of Sydney’s current DJs to shame with his technical skills. Reminding this reviewer of new age techno hero Dave Clarke, Shade cut, scratched and juggled his way through an hour of what could best be described as distinctly Euro-trance and hard house sounding tunes – there were plenty of big basslines, warm synths and riffs, and of course the ubiquitous pianos. Beyond his phenomenal technical skills which just have to be seen to be believed, Cortina’s classic Music Is Moving was definitely the highlight of the set.

E-Tek then took over the controls and picked up the pace a little more, laying down a great mix of hard house, rave techno and even some piano house. While one laid down the tunes, the other scratched and played samples, adding a great element of spontaneity to the set. Musical highlights of the set included Passion by Gat Décor, Marmion’s Schöneberg, Voodoo People from The Prodigy and one of my personal favourites, What Would You Like To Hear Again? by Dye Witness.

Next up, Kevmo & Omb put a stupidly massive smile on my face (and the rest of the room’s, too) by playing an absolutely outstanding set of cheesey as all hell, but oh so much fun, euro dance and old hard house that included a great remix of What Would You Like To Hear Again? (again) and the Praga Khan monster Injected With A Poison.

Taking care of the 3am set, Abel demonstrated that he knows the way to anyone’s heart is through acid, and lots of it (the 303 sound, not the drug). Playing some of the most twisted, thumping acid techno and hard house I’ve ever heard and mixing like somewhat of a demon, Abel took it back to the days where the 303 and hoover ruled the synth roost, dropping bombs like Tony De Vit’s Throw Your Hands In The Air , and for his effort receives the coveted “set of the night” award.

When 4am rolled around, Paul Holden, one of the most respected DJs in Sydney… well, ever… emerged from the shadows to rapturous applause. He wasted no time getting in to the swing of things and played an absolutely outstanding set of hands-in-the-hair, fluffy, cheesey hard house, breakbeat hardcore and happy hard, including Paul Elstak’s My Love, which got possibly the biggest reaction of any tune on the night. A great way to end an excellent night.

So there you have it…a non-raver attending an old school rave night. And you know what? I’d do it again in a second. Promoters, punters, producers and DJs could learn a lot from looking back every now and then. Go on, give it a shot, you might just like it. I know I did.