Walking through Kings Cross just after midnight on Saturday night of Mardi Gras weekend, the whole of Sydney seemed like that friend who’s been up for three days and who should just go the hell to bed. Descending into The Bunker for Deep As Funk was a welcome change from the carnage outside; it was packed to the rafters and there was still a special feeling to the night. But it was thankfully a more relaxed and friendly crowd than the circle of hell that had formed outside McDonald’s back on street level.
Of course, many of this merry Bunker bunch were there to see Gui Boratto. I had missed his Chinese Laundry date so was already eternally grateful for a second chance. Rif Raf did a beautiful job of raising the spirits and keeping them up as Gui Boratto took off his jacket, lit the first of many cigarettes (the odd bouncer warning serenely ignored) and settled in (hello Lemur!).
I had concerns that Gui Boratto would more or less just roll out Chromophobia, which certainly would not have hurt one little bit, but this was one artist who was not going to rest on his laurels. The man from Brazil worked hard and kept at it for a good few hours, whipping the crowd up with album corkers like Terminal and Shebang, but also treating us to a whole new trip. Threads of Chromophobia were weaved through breakdowns and build ups in blissfully uncharted territory, and a truly dirty stripped back tech house belt in the middle felt oh-so-right on Mardi Gras night. A constant throughout the live mix was that Boratto ‘bounce’, that groove that he never gets lost and a playful approach to rhythm that could be seen as his part of the world’s very welcome gift to the techno scene.
There was moments where his signature rock slide sounds just exploded, and then receded seamlessly at just the right point, leading one guy next to me to exhale admiringly, “That is filthy!” Maybe the magic Lemur interface action allows this intuitive control that gives the mix such a natural feel – like you’re witnessing, say, a volcano – but Boratto’s set showcased all the way why he’s such a talent. Always in control but never uptight; clear lines throughout but always sexy as well, with a warmth and lift that you couldn’t stop moving to, even if it was just your head as you obsessed over Boratto’s set up and technique up the front, as many a pilgrim was doing.
The sound at The Bunker is one fine labor of love and the minimal lighting situation just seemed to make the stomach rumbling bass sound even better, like you were standing at the bottom of that volcano. Sure, it was hot as hades and such thirsty work had ensured that some of the beer on tap had run out but when you look around and every person in sight seems to be dancing and smiling, with the odd Mardi Gras night tutu and wig thrown in for good measure, you know you’re in the right place. When Boratto’s finale of Beautiful Life blasted out, it sure seemed like a beautiful one from where we were standing.
deepasfunk says...
it was truly amazing night - thanks to all the beautiful people who came and shared this unique underground experience! Look out for more killer night from Deep As Funk crew! We are at the BUNKER every Saturday with more surprises coming very soon...