Fight The Future 3 feat. Davide Sonar @ Bar Broadway, Sydney (24/05/08)
Securing a hard dance international is usually a feat that requires the might of a production powerhouse (the Q-Dance/Transmission ‘made in hard dance heaven’ partnership springs to mind). On that note, it is heartening to see a small promo team emerge specifically to tour hardstyle DJs. Hardforce Industries, who cut their teeth on the A-lusion/Zatox/Bobby V triple debut tour event in August last year, have succeeded with yet another inaugural gig. Enter Davide Sonar.
Sonar is currently signed to Scantraxx Italy, a sub label of record label giant Scantraxx, owned by demi-god The Prophet. His musical career predates this alliance with a 2002 release Dusky Noises, on Italian label Suntec under the alias Analogic Disturbance (a collab with Giuliano Capello AKA Julian DJ). Notable gigs at Defqon1, Q-Base and E-Fect Outdoor in 2003 brought him to the attention of the hardstyle world, and in 2006 Sonar teamed up with Scantraxx Records and created Scantraxx Italy. Under this sub label, Sonar has released several massive hits including Reactor, Sarabande, and Beats 4 U. For those of you who know the tunes, would it surprise you to know Sonar was a choir boy in his youth?! His 2006 Techno Boheme, on Kickin’ Tunes, even uses (with authorization) the classic opera of ‘Boheme’ by Giacomo Puccini. This then is the DJ who graced the Off Broadway Hotel.
Speaking of venues, the Off Broadway Hotel gets my thumbs-up. It is in easy walking distance of the public transportation hub at Central Station. Entry was a breeze, inside was clean and spacious, and the bar staff didn’t bat an eyelash at my odd drink requests. Whilst a good-sized crowd attended the night, the dance floor was quite roomy, and the sound was solid for a club system. This is a new venue for the Sydney EDM scene, going to show that if promoters look beyond the obvious there are other places willing and able to host dance gigs. More events here please!
Sonar, thoughtfully given 120mins of air time (longer international sets FTW), made excellent use of his DJ spell. Of course we were treated to his own tunes – Reactor, Sarabande and Techno Boheme amongst them. A mate had his fingers crossed for Here We Go Again and, upon requesting it from Sonar, was pulled behind the decks and shown what was cued up on the turntables. The grin on his face said it all. Mindful that it was his debut Australian tour, Sonar worked his old school magic and dished out 2003’s Go Go Go. It was an energetic set that complimented both his Italian and Scantraxx roots. Nasty Boyz Angel and Tatanka Let’s Rock lay next to Headhunterz Forever As One and Frontliner Tuuduu. And showing he was a genuine sport, Sonar happily chatted to the crowd and handed out signed promo CDs. Sonar was ably supported by a local lineup including Arbee, Suae, Nitrouz, S Dee and MC [D].
Another successful event, another ‘must see’ hardstyle DJ marked off the list. And it doesn’t end there… The 19 July 2008 will see Zatox and Bobby V return to our shores along with… drum roll please… Mr “I’m a Natural Born DJ” himself, Activator! Stayed tuned to ITM for more info kids…
