When the promise of Miguel Migs, a stellar line up of lush house sounds, chilled breakbeats, The Tivoli’s famed acoustics and plush settings, smooth bass lines and the sun shining over a patriotic crowd was offered, one could only be unwavering to the red, blue and white and assume to role of a devoted Aussie house fan. Sounds Boutique promised it all – a gourmet BBQ, hot house music and lush dub; all enveloped within a cape hinting at glamour and sophistication and held within the confines of one of Brisbane’s most charming venues.
The colour fluro was not touted at Sounds Boutique; nor would it have been welcome. This was a boutique festival for the grownups where tastes in food, culture and music were tipped towards the exclusive. The Zero Hour Collective were at the wheels, and in a characteristic display of Aussie mateship, the ADICTS’ Shake n Breaks Festival was assimilated into the event, a course of action that would certainly have tried and tested the very limits of all involved. It is indeed a testimony to the combined forces of Zero Hour Collective, ADICTS and the performers that Sounds Boutique was absolutely amazing; leaving incredible lasting impressions on all in attendance.
The acoustics of The Tivoli have not achieved its distinguished glory for no reason – the venue after all was built in a time where sound properties were important and architects knew their physics. One walked immediately upon entrance to The Beats Bar, where deep broken beats lulled you into a state of bliss, with the corners of the room enticing the sounds to float around your shoulders. The red decor of the room was perfectly in harmony with the frantic syncopation of these beats; the animated meters profoundly reflected in the fiery energy of the flaming terrain. A massive arch led to The Theatre Stage, where mammoth screens discharged a fascinating light display. The dance floor was colossal, flanking the large stage and surrounded by Matt Smith’s superior skills of illumination as enormous television screens broadcast the current test match between Australia and India. House music, a brilliant sound system and cricket – definitely my idea of heaven. With the upstairs balcony cordoned off as the VIP area and thus providing a spectacular view of the Theatre Stage, Joel Bow stylishly garbed alongside his equally glamourous hostess Pieta Farrell, encouraged all VIPs to experience a cocktail – or even two. A flash of bright light served as the doorway to the outside world; with an expansive stage awash in music gear and microphone stands setup against the building. The Garden Stage was full of sunshine, enticing the Australian within us all to come out and bask in the bright cheeriness of a perfect summer day. Indeed, the setup was immense and wonderfully assembled. Sounds Boutique seemed the ideal playground.
The local contingency was well met and well received. From the Theatre Stage, home favourites like Cool Hand Luke, Jason Rouse, DJ Freestyle and Jimmy Ellis pounded home cool basslines, intoxicating melodies and effervescent beats that enticed and seduced. Gavin Boyd and Kieron C nobly entertained from the Garden Stage, the light shining brightly upon the crowd as these DJs traversed through verdant dub beats, Hip Hop rhythms, disco meters and lush harmonic textures. Particularly, newly live collective The Outfits unleashed an outpour of luxuriant funk, their incredible musicianship immediately apparent. From Mark Henman’s astonishing metrical skills on drums to Peter G’s sumptuous textures from keys; Nick Agg’s seductive grooves on saxophone alongside Shannon Marshall on flugel with the spirited rhythm section, The Outfits took the sunshine, their unflagging energy, musical influence and set free funk inspired melodies upon an eager crowd.
From the Beats Bar, Lectre, DJ Noodles, DJ Brazen and Mr Gaunt and Tsuli & Yeti discharged throbbing bass lines and pulsating melodies that entwined around one’s head like an overpowering primordial fragrance. Especial mention must be made to the ADICTS Collective who had the entire room bouncing throughout their set, as Devastatin’ Dave, Verner and Sang nimbly performed back to back on the turntables, flanked by Disco Daz on muted trumpet, Steve ‘El Nino’ on percussion and KNO as MC. ADICTS have a proven track record as stellar beats masters and party revelers – and their set was certainly a testimony to this. Particularly, KNO’s incredible vocal techniques and charismatic personality aided beautifully in binding the wonderful Breaks fabric to this House styled event.
The southerly-imported Australians for the day propelled the event nicely with their partisan efforts: Sharif Galal was quite incredible from the Garden Stage, his mix pristine and the selection of melodies churning through the system with all the finesse of a grooving train. Mark Walton had luscious bass heavy lines deliciously winding through the system, while expressive instrumental lines churned within the dub loaded mix. The outdoor setting captured the mood wonderfully, ensuring the high spirits of his audience. N’Fa of the 1200 Technics variety, surprised me as he stood behind the decks, the timbre of his patter smooth and flavorsome, though his DJ mixing was understated and uncomplicated. As the sun sunk below the horizon, his straightforward tunage was a pleasant tonic to take us into the evening.
Honorary Australians for this day, international House imports Julius Papp, Miguel Migs, Lisa Shaw, Marques Wyatt, Karizma, and Breaks Master Tayo took the event from merely ‘special’ into the realm of spectacular. Tayo in The Beats Room kept the space bumping late into the evening, as his audience grooved energetically to his dub beats and precocious reggae rhythms. His tunes definitely held an edge of dirty rhythms, their agitation transferred eagerly from the dominant meters.
From the Theatre Stage, Julius Papp unleashed searing vocal melodies across firm bass lines and resounding beats. The overall effect was decidedly sexy, as the incredible lighting show emphasized his muscular torso and the sheen of his hairless pate. Marques Wyatt admirably took over the stage from Mr Papp, his dark skin glowing under the illumination of the massive video screens and laser luminosity. Karizma undoubtedly topped the evening off with his riotous beats and smooth Baltimore sounds. The Hip Hop rhythms neatly surrounded by smooth vocal melodies and velvety instrumental lines carved through the terrific sound system. The dancefloor churned beneath his benevolent gaze.
The climax of the entire day was courtesy of ‘The Master of Chilled Beats’. When Miguel Migs took to the stage with his cap firmly planted atop his head, it seemed that his lanky frame engulfed the expansive stage – the sheer charisma of this marvel making the platform seem far smaller than it actually was. With his tall form dwarfing the turntables beneath him, the improvised saxophone and trumpet lines moved gently though our bodies. The dancefloor was awash with bodies as his beats influenced hearts and minds; the turbulent meters delicately sheathed beneath Mr Migs’ powerful musicality as his authority penetrated our insensible minds. Miguel Migs proved he was an orchestral wizard, the melody lines lulling us all into a tranquil state of mind while the beats worried our bodies into a helpless feverishness. Smoothly braking from his devastating sounds of seduction, Miguel thus presented Lisa Shaw. As she clasped at the microphone in a glittering chocolate dress that made her dark skin glow under the lights, her incredible diva voice resonated across the hall. The superb sound system caught the depths of her extraordinary vocals, and she was a goddess; her soft eyes pinning you to the spot as her mellow voice penetrated your heart. And all the while, Miguel Migs orchestrated each harmonious nuance, his music encircling all in the vicinity within a loving embrace.
That Sounds Boutique was a highly professional and sophisticated event is undisputed. With the perfect example of Aussie mateship observed in the assimilation of Shake N Breaks into the event, Zero Hour Collective have emerged as a highly proficient crew with an eagle eye for detail. From the venue selection, to the superb sound system, the layout, choice in artists, performance schedule, attendees, fabulous catering and stylish ambience, they’ve established their proficient expertise in the field of event organization and promotions for Brisbane. With such a successful event as Sounds Boutique under their chic belt, I look forward to any future efforts the Zero Hour Collective may offer.
ZEROHOURCOLLECTIVE says...
7 days have since past from our defining moment. What a week/s, month/s, Whoa. We set out 4 months ago to make our mark with Sounds Boutique. We believe this is the beginning of the future. The memory of the 1st will remain with Zero Hour Collective