To coincide with the release of his latest mix album Moments, Anthony Pappa played an incredible three hour set at Rise, setting the benchmark even higher from his previous sets in Perth. Supported by a quality line up of locals, it was inevitable the night was going to be a quality foray into the techy, grindy, sometimes trancey and always percussive variations of 4/4.
Whilst Rise might have seemed like an unlikely venue for the night, it provided the perfect setting for the quality sounds on offer. For those unacquainted with Rise, the sound is supreme and the layout of the club is such that it allows for the perfect resonance of sound, no matter where you’re standing. Starting the sounds of the night was Sike, who worked through a range of tech driven tracks, highlighted with a few heavier tempo tunes throughout. It was a good introduction to the sounds that were to follow, and the crowd present seemed to enjoy the faster sounds at an early stage of the night.
As the club began to fill, Sean Chee took to the decks and stripped the sound right back. An imperative move considering he was playing right before Pappa. Working with the sound left by Sike, Chee gradually replaced the faster tempo with a more driving, progressive and techy sound which enticed many punters to the front and centre of the dance floor. Focusing on a more steady sound, Chee worked through a range of upfront quality tunes, held together with a consistency of fluid mixes. Working with the dance floor to keep the punters moving whilst holding the tempo back a little so as to allow for the peak-time sounds of Pappa, Chee maintained the fine balance and pulled off a quality set.
As midnight approached, Anthony Pappa appeared in the DJ booth and after a loud welcome by way of cheers and whistles from the crowd, dropped his first track. Working through a range of progressive tracks, Pappa’s first hour was defined by significant build ups and breakdowns, many of which featured an array of synths. The crowd was hanging on to his every track as he worked it a little tougher and out of the more uplifting vibe of his set. And then he took it to a whole other level.
The second and third hours of his set were what truly could only be defined as absolute quality. Nothing but. His trademark layering up of tracks as he mixed was flawless and held the tunes together so well that it became more about the overall sound rather than individual tracks. One merged into the other so incredibly, always a new level or sound coming in or out at any time. The percussion became the focal point and he moved through techy, grindy and sometimes even tribal percussion layers, all laid down on a progressive foundation. The dance floor was packed for his set’s entirety and looking around the room, you could clearly see that this was something special. And everyone knew it. As his set neared an end, the room was full of punters who were clearly stoked with what they had just heard. After a massive round of appreciation by way of cheers and whistles, Pappa stuck around afterwards, signing posters, CD’s and having a few photos with punters and fans.
Travis increased the tempo and sound quite significantly, and proceeded to play a techno laden set, to the mass of punters still dancing away. The sound and tempo of his set was well suited for the time of night and kept the dance floor moving.
As you can no doubt derive from the review, yes it was an awesome night. Quality music all night long. What was also notable, was that the Rise regulars absolutely loved the music, regardless of the fact that it wasn’t the usual sounds played at Rise. It provided an education for them in regards to sounds they wouldn’t normally be exposed to; and they loved it. Fans of Pappa who had headed to Rise were equally as stoked too. A truly memorable set, one that has set the benchmark even higher for his next visit to Perth.
liseyt says...
Great review Miss M!
SA_spec says...
nicely written - makes me sad i missed it!