Add one international techno artist, class-A local DJs, top notch sound and venue, and a great underground party series. What do you have? A guaranteed good time!

Vince Watson is the producer of many a top tune, including my personal favourites Intuitions and the Renaissance EP, so I was – along with quite a few other fans of techno – rather excited that he was coming out to Australia. It also helped that it was Soma bringing him out to play at one of their ‘Blow Your Own Way’ parties. Previous ‘Blow Your Own Way’ parties have included underground stars like Alex Smoke and Robert Babicz. Both had played live, and this is what Watson was to do as well.

I arrived not long after Ben Cromack had started as I always make an effort to go see Ben play whenever I can. I think he is the best DJ in Australia; a big call, but everyone that sees him play can understand why it’s my opinion. He is just always so on it, and tonight was no different. He was everything you wanted to hear; tight and funky. One notable track early on featured a female vocal, “give me every little thing, don’t stop”. It was very retro sounding, and interestingly this was also a preview of what was to come later on.

A feature of ‘Blow Your Own Way’ parties is that everyone is there fore the music, having a deep appreciation for it. The crowd on this night was really friendly, and it seemed like a bunch of old friends getting together for a party rather than your standard club event. By the middle of Cromack’s set the venue was about half full, but it didn’t take much longer to pack out. Ben mixed it up more than I had seen him before, playing a – what I would call – epic remix of Deetron Life Soundtrack. Then, out of nowhere though he picked it up a notch and dropped in a massive tribal number with lots of high hats.

Cromack is a tease, in a good way of course! You know he is holding back, and he just seems to make you groove (and make it all look) so easy. He builds sets like a pro, giving you a bit more each time he drops another track. He got really soulful towards the end, with lots of big black diva vocals and with big bass to match. He finished with Inner City Big Fun, and by this time the dancefloor was packed and eagerly awaiting Watson.

I thought the sound quality was good when Cromack played, but when Watson started it seemed to get even better. It was so clear, full and lush. Vince started quite minimal and atmospheric. It also had traces of acid and was almost trance-like, but also banging. I guess it had a bit of everything! I really enjoyed how he would build up songs during the set, then give you a break. The breaks where just a breather, still containing gorgeous melodies and hammering basslines. It was what you’d call a peaktime set, quite harder than I was expecting, but not overly so.

Being a live set, the flow and set progression was outstanding and he didn’t miss a beat, jacking away behind the console. He picked up the pace in the second half, leaning towards more traditional techno. I haven’t heard anything like this in ages, and I, along with everyone else there, was loving it. I haven’t seen a club be so focused on the main performer for quite some time, but Watson just had that pull.

Almost as soon as he’d started, the set was over. I shouldn’t say it was a set, as it was an experience, and I have to thank Watson and Soma for it. My weary legs got the best of me soon after Watson wrapped up and I left, missing out on Christian Vance and Dave Pham, who was set to play a versus set with Watson later on. It’s no wonder ‘Blow Your Own Way’ parties are so revered, with top-notch acts and a friendly crowd. Well done Soma, yet again!