With the release of Ministry of Sound’s latest CD, Clubber’s Guide to 2008, it was time for the touring juggernauts to swing in to Canberra, all to showcase what’s predicted will be the latest and greatest dance anthems of the year. Who better to do the handy-work than one of Australia’s hottest rising stars, Hook N Sling, who played it up electro-style at Academy.

Newly refurbished, Academy has only just reopened it’s doors, so it was no wonder that plenty of punters arrived in high-spirits for a night of fun. I was looking forward to checking out the new look, and also to hear what tracks had been selected by Hook as contenders to be this year’s best. What was different, and kinda cool, was the new entrance for the club. Sneaking in via the alleyway made it feel a bit more underground or incognito. Once inside the club I couldn’t help but go “hmmm”, as it was still very much the same old Academy surrounds. The bar and seating area remained, but there was the addition of a few extra odds and ends. I loved the new gigantic disco balls and the fibre-optic lights that hung from the ceiling, but there were some things that just didn’t seem to fit quite right. The dance floor was curtained off to appear smaller, and above it there were two large sheets of gaudy fabric. It looked a bit strange… was it supposed to be a tarpaulin? With extra thing to whinge about were the toilets. Two out of the four toilets had broken locks and therefore didn’t close, so I often found myself waiting in a queue.

Anyhow, back to the music… At this stage it was around 11pm and things were just getting started. Ex-Academy resident – now based in Sydney – Chris Fraser was in charge of the decks, and as usual he certainly had the party rolling. People were gathered around the dancefloor, busting moves and having a good time. Fraser played a raw and energetic set full of electro madness. For a cute kid he’s got a loud sound. My next stop was the bar! As I headed over I couldn’t help but notice the overwhelming presence of super-young people. I am only 23 (well, 24 this week), and honestly I actually felt a little old amongst the crowd of big blonde hair, stilettos and smoky eyeliner. None the less, with a few drinks under my belt I soon lost that feeling, regaining my self-appointed diva status. I rejoined the congregation of youngsters on the dancefloor. The large fluoro sign that read “B.A.D. Back Alley Disco” got me thinking, though. I was wondering “why”? Have Academy decided to throw in the classy towel, trading it in for a trashy one instead? Academy has worked hard at setting the standard for Canberra’s club scene, so we can only hope they’ll continue to work at maintaining their spot at the top.

It was now 12.45 and Hook N Sling arrived on deck, ready to unpack his box of party tricks. His set was an electro-fest, which was then infused with layers of pop, house and even a touch of breaks. The opening few tracks didn’t really grab my attention as they were a bit bland, however not too far into the set came on a very cool version of the Chemical Brothers ‘Do It Again’, which I really enjoyed. It was given some electro loving, but not in an overly cheesy way. I found it worked really well… so well in fact, that our whole group of friends were up and off their bottoms dancing. Meanwhile, in the middle of the floor a posse of people were gathered around one guy in particular, who was busy showing off his fancy footwork. He twirled his glow sticks in superior style. It’s not everyday you see someone that can actually dance, so well done kid!

Hook N Sling continued to play steady. Another track featured was Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’. An oldie but a classic, and one that you just you can’t help but love. Tunes by Pnau and Timbaland were also heard, but the one that did it for me was the beautiful ‘With Every Heartbeat’ by Robyn. I certainly agree that it will make the hot list this year. It was played just the way it deserves to be – barely touched. Later on Hook N Sling threw in a surprise, the Stanton Warriors ‘Shake It Up’. The reason this was something out of the ordinary was that I think this would have to be the only breaks tune I’ve heard on a ‘Clubber’s Guide’ CD. Good work, I was loving it. Overall Hook N Sling played a good, two-hour set. It had occasional peaks, but it certainly didn’t qualify as mind blowing.

It was now approaching 3.00 and it was time for local lad Tim Galvin to put the final touches on the evening’s agenda. Tim played an enthusiastic set which was consistent, and he kept the crowd begging for more. It boasted a diverse range of tracks, including some indie, electro and house, all mashed into a great hour of fun. I’ve seen Tim play a few times before and I must make comment that I think he has a great style, and he’s really developed. Great work Galvin, I partied hard to your tunes!