Though still recovering from a massive New Year hangover, Sydney was treated to a night of aural delights on the Australia Day Long Weekend from Sweden’s most recognisable export since Ikea or Volvo. Not satisfied with bringing out only two of the members of the ‘Swedish House Mafia’ over the New Year season in the form of Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso, Future Entertainment delivered noine other than Axwell to Sydney’s superclub Home for the second year running. And what a night it was!
The night began in fine style with The Potbelleez, the duo who’ve been whipping up a storm in Sydney over the last six months with their smashing track Don’t Hold Back. Not only technically flawless on the decks, the pair who are comprised of Irishmen Johnny Sonic and Dave Goode are two of the most approachable and friendly DJs on the circuit, always keen to provide a raised hand for a high five from any adoring fans. Known to most for punching out an electro-fused sound, it was delightful to hear the Potbelleez push the music toward the tech house region, not only for showcasing some quality tracks that mainstream Sydney hasn’t been exposed to, but also because it gave a pretty certain indication of the set Axwell would be playing. As the clock struck 1:00am, the Potbelleez handed the reigns over to Axwell and the night began.
Axwell immediately picked up from where the Potbelleez left off, beginning with some more 90s-flavoured house, a sound he has reinvigorated recently with such anthems as I Found You and his remix of the Sunfreakz Counting Down the Days. Early in the set Axwell had the crowd singing along to a remix of Stardust The Music Sounds Better with You, and not long after could be heard toying with an accapella of Daft Punk Technologic (the Daft Punk tracks seem to have made a resurgence in DJ crates and laptops since the mania that swept through the city late last year). As it approached the halfway point in Axwell’s set, one could hear the sawtooth bass and dirty electric piano in the breakdown of Axwell and Ingrossio’s epic collaboration Together. This track marked a turning point in Axwell’s set, where the recognisable tracks came to the fore and where his mixing, though faultless, became more ruthless, where the five minute intros were left out in favour of the dizzying highs and creamy middles of the tracks. Later highlights in this Axwell megamix included Josh Wink’s Higher State of Consciousness, Basement Jaxx’s Where’s Your Head At and Buy Now For Sale.
For a few brief moments in the middle of his set, Axwell took hold a microphone to thank the Home faithful. From the back of the room (correct me if I am wrong please someone who was there) I heard him say “Sydney you know your shit, that’s why I like you!” Clearly Axwell was feeling the vibe in the room, and was showing his appreciation for the many punters still hanging onto the last remaining hours of the long weekend. As his set came to close at 3:00am, the club was still full and he left the decks to rapturous applause and shouts for an encore, but to no avail.
Future Entertainment put on an awesome night with friendly bar staff, security, and above all, the one and only Axwell. It was a great way to spend the Australia Day Long Weekend, in spite of perhaps the constant appearance of a Swedish flag on the screens behind the DJ booth: though I don’t think anyone appreciated the irony!
cronullaguy74 says...
are you sure you were actually there?.... i think you'll find it was Goodwill that kicked the night off and not the Potbelleez
Fewsion says...
no the night started with axwell, didn't you read the article shirenob?
lxgrandfrere says...
yeah that's embarassing.. I Was there from the start; Goodwill warmed up.. and potbellez played after axwell O.o
JukeBox says...
Axwell immediately picked up from where the Potbelleez left off????? wtf Goodwill was before axwell, you were not even there, proof is you said the potbellys were good.
deejayvice says...
well done great review ur were right on the money hahahahahah did u go to this event?
DJ_PK says...
I'm pretty sure he went past his 3am finish by a good 45 minutes.
jarrardscott says...
and you should have at least mentioned how good goodwill's warmup set was.
jarrardscott says...
sorry but counting down the days nad i found you were played later in the set. your didnt even mention watch the sunrise, tell me why and feel the vibe. and there was no technologic accapella, it was kingston logic. and he DID play an encore of half an hour. seriously you just asked somebody who went for details and made up this shit. you dont deserve to review. EPIC FAIL
Briza says...
ahah obsessed with you deejayvice..
pking says...
"The night began in fine style with The Potbelleez" haha, you nob fewsion, and your calling cronulla guy a nob for not reading your article! Did you read your own article, the night didn't start with axwell!! And axwell played till 3:30 am not 3...
Fewsion says...
wow i'm glad i touched so many people. just a few things in my defence: -was at the event and wrote the review based on my own experience. -clearly an honest mixup with goodwill and potbelleez. obviously review for the potbelleez goes to goodwill. -goodwill threw me wearing that hat that is a virtually a trademark of Dave Goode's, honest mistake. -axwell finished 3:05am, no encore. -"the night began with axwell" - figuratively speaking - does that really need to be explained? -when I mentioned "I Found You" and "Counting down the days" i didn't say when they were played but referred to them in the context of Axwell's recent productions - *reread that paragraph jarrardscott* maybe that should clear a few things up, thanks for all the wonderful feedback, how'd the rest of the article go :)
Seamus Ryan says...
awesome review. either you wern't there or you took some wicked drugs that made you seam like you were there. i beheaded duck could have written a better review.
pking says...
Stop digging your hole fewsion, your not helping yourself! Axwell played till at least 3.30. And the night started with axwell, figuratively speaking?? That does need to be explained when you have a go at someone for saying goodwill played before axwell... I look forward to your next review!
angy says...
Guys guys guys... The reviewer got the warmup DJ wrong, but that doesn't really matter TOO much in the scheme of things. As he said, it was an honest mistake. As someone who didn't make it to the event but wished he was there, I really enjoyed reading the review! :)
DJ MVC says...
i'm from melbourne and i flew up to Sydney to see Axwell on this night. There is no doubt in my opinion, he is the best house DJ in the world. Goodwill opened the night and was shocking in my opinion, his mixes were messy, some on a 4 track, whilst others on an 8, track selection way to hard for an opening set. Axwell rocked on past 3:30am, as I actually left at 3:40am and he was still playing...great set! Cant believe the reviewer forgot to mention "Show me love", "Tell me why", "Feel the vibe", "Toca Me"...those tracks were massive in his set. I'm going to see Axwell tonight in Melb. QBH in Melb is a much better venue than my recollection of Home, however, im expecting the crowd to be ultra young (as it was in Sydney) and probably a little more fluro!!
haroula says...
hhhmmmm... like everybody else is saying goodwill started the night....and axwell did do an encore ...he played till 3.45..... i think people that were there remember him screaming into the microphone "SYDNEY...DO U WANT MORE".....