inthemix | Event Coverage | Bang Gang pres. 100% Mega Dance @ Arq Nightclub, Sydney (04/04/08)

The buzz surrounding this event was quite large, since it had been a while since the Bang Gang crew had rocked the infamous Arq nightclub. If a group of Sydney’s biggest DJs and one of the most frequented clubs in the city wasn’t enough, the international line-up was sure to bring a massive turnout. The Tough Alliance, Flosstradamus and Munk were also featuring in this night of nights.

I arrived to a very short line, which was a pleasant surprise. After some initial confusion over the bizarre system of entry, I made my way in to the fairly empty and spacious venue. Regulars assured me that the venue would be soon become full, and rest assured that after one beer and a trip downstairs for a quick cigarette, the influx of people into the venue became huge.

By the start of Ajax’s set in the main room, the dancefloor was very busy. I have always enjoyed Ajax’s sets and in particular, his track choices. I was pleased that tonight was no different. After the solid warm up set by Hoodrat, the #1 DJ in Australia got the crowd on their feet. His electro, baile funk influenced set was fairly unique from most others I have seen by him. I am fairly sure there was more than one M.I.A. track in rotation throughout the beginning half of the night, with signature brass sounds tracks XR2 and Bamboo Banga hyping up the crowd. The infamous Paper Planes was also featured. The crowd also responded to the increasingly popular Crookers’ remix of Kid Dub’s Day n Night and a banging Beat Vandals track.

By midnight, the bottom level of the club was also a little busier, more indie/hip-hop influenced with tracks such as Bumblebeez’ Rio and N.E.R.D.’s Everybody Nose giving the punters a little more relaxing environment (but only just). Back in the main room, Chicago deejays Flosstradamus took to the floor with their very unpredictable set. Despite the genre hopping, the crowd was thrilled with the R&B, disco infused pop and gritty electro. With tracks from *P. Diddy*, Chris Brown’s Kiss Kiss and even Alice Deejay’s Better Off Alone, sending everyone back to the 90s, it was a cocktail of vocal booty shaking music that was perfect for Arq. Like most club nights, the music became a little harder as the night progressed. The other Bang Gang deejays that followed spun tracks such as Prodigy’s Smack My Bitch Up, Benny Benassi’s classic Satisfaction and even Zombie Nation.

By 2am, the deejays started to infuse a few more progressive sounds into club, with Laidback Luke’s Be and other tech-house floor fillers shifting the atmosphere for the persistent crowd.

Of many club nights I have been to recently, it seems that few are in it for the long haul. The difference on Friday was that most were there to club until the eerie morning sun reared its ugly head over Oxford Street. The crowd didn’t ease back until at least 4am and at this stage, it was still relatively full. The Bang Gang Deejays and Modular put on a night to remember, and as far as the music, the venue and all expectations of a trashy club night go, they lived up to everyone’s expectations.