Transit Bar has seen some big names grace its stage throughout ‘07, and introduced us to some of Canberra’s best club nights. So it was only fitting that we farewelled such a huge year at one of our favourite venues with top service and acts at an intimate and exclusive night. ‘Lock In’ New Years Eve saw ticket holders partake in a night of good food, much booze and excellent entertainment. Local boys D’Opus and Roshambo along with Smish, Pornstylus and Downtown Brown supported headliners 2 Dogs to bring 2008 in with party tunes and hip hop flavor.

Expectations weren’t quite met for crowd size, which falls in the pro pile for anyone on the purchasing side of the usually crowded bar. There was plenty of seating and room on the dance floor; a rarity and welcome change for a new year’s party. Also, for a change, the night was more about being at a safe and welcoming venue with friends, comfort and good service rather than focusing on the music. One of the best things about Transit is the friendly bar staff, made even better for the New Years celebrations with table service (always with a smile) and constant offerings of food being passed around the bar and beer garden. These guys must be commended for their great service, especially considering they were working through to the new year.

Our entertainment for the night included some of our favourite local stars along with national players on the hip hop scene. Smish, Pornstylus and Downtown Brown kicked off the farewell to ‘07, warming up the grooves and beats to a seated audience before passing the stage over to local, live duo, D’Opus and Roshambo. The tiny crowd was hard to get moving despite the awesome DJing and MCing quality shown by the usually vibe bringing, crowd pleasing team. Roshambo did his best to get some crowd involvement happening but at this stage 90 per cent of the party people were still winding down the year with a chat in the beer garden and didn’t show much interest for the dance floor until 2 Dogs hit the turntables.

2 Dogs are better known as Resin Dogs; changing between names when DJ/producers and MCs combine or split for shows. When Resin Dogs are in full force they turn out high energy breaks, dub, dancehall and hip hop live shows. As was at Transit Bar for new years, when 2 Dogs are on their own, they break out the party tunes rather than spinning Resin Dogs tracks without the all-important live aspect. The old school hip hop and dance classics 2 Dogs pulled out on the night were of perfect attitude for the final time on the floor for ‘07.

As always when midnight rolls around, a panic fell over everyone to get ready for the countdown for 2008. Champagne and party poppers were passed out, the DJ searched desperately for a watch with a second hand and people were frantically yelling for friends and loved ones who had gone to the bathroom or outside for a smoke at the wrong time. As quickly as 2007 had come, it disappeared with a mess of coloured streamers, cries of “Happy New Year!” and Tone Loc, oddly enough, coming through the speakers. A nice change from last year certainly; when the first song I heard for the year was Hey Jude by a Beatles cover band.

It wasn’t hard to feel the sense of excitement coming from every person in the room. Hugs were given out to friends, acquaintances and complete strangers in total joy for what will hopefully be another packed year of achievements and good times for the Canberra music community. What a great year it’s been to reflect on and what a fantastic way to end it; and how appropriate that many of us did at Transit Bar where we’ve experienced countless good times throughout ‘07.