Booka Shade, in Canberra, at Transit Bar, live, for free. That’s a big statement. When most dance music lovers in Canberra read or heard this they stared unconvinced for a few seconds before fobbing it off as a poor attempt at a rumour, or at the very least a silly joke. I did. So when the information was confirmed only a couple of weeks before the German duo landed in the parliamentary circle, you can imagine the hype kicked up around our dance music scene. At first there was disbelief: 1. There’s no way we’re going to be able to catch Booka for FREE and 2. Transit Bar is a fine venue, yes, but it’s tiny and not known for presenting international dance acts as massive as this. Even up until the very Thursday night of the event, people were still dubious about every point in that first statement being entirely true. But then, local hero promoters, Pang! went and proved us all wrong. And we’re glad they did.

Arriving just before 7pm, I wandered in past the enormous line of punters. Some had been there earlier than 4pm to make sure they got the best possible spot for the show of the year. Down the stairs and through the familiar door into the bar I went before I was absolutely slapped in the face when I looked at the stage. It was covered in neon blue, pink and green lights and packed to the rafters with equipment. Four laptops sat at varying levels on one side of the stage with a keyboard and synth, while stage left was occupied by a set of electric drums. At this moment it was dead apparent that yes – Booka Shade, in Canberra, at Transit Bar, live, for free – was no lie.

As I turned to the bar to grab a glass of champagne, I heard loud conversation in a non-English language, instantly recognisable (by the fact that they sounded like they were yelling angrily at each other) as German. The Frankfurt veterans themselves, along with their four-person touring sound team, were making final preparations and soundchecking one last time before the fan floodgates were opened. Karma Car came blasting out at the few of us standing dumbfounded in the dead centre of the otherwise empty room and, just for a moment, we were taken from the middle of Transit’s underground den to a far away, intimate, blissful clubbing fantasy. “Ja! Gut!” German voices filled the air again as the music faded off and I found reality, which wasn’t at all bad considering what was about to happen. I could’ve gone home happy right then, but damn this was about to be a good night!

At quarter past seven the doors were opened. A comfortably sized crowd poured in while Exposed DJs Staky and Sean Kelly, warmed up the room from a couple of turntables tucked away to the side of the stage. They spun some nice minimal tech – very pleasant and inoffensive while sipping the first few drinks and discussing the plan of attack for when the crowd really packs in. The general consensus ruled that we get a good, early spot, front corner, as ol’ skool Canberra local Mig-L showed off his experience on the turn tables. Mig-L’s been missing from the local scene for years, but made a bold statement to everyone looking around in a ‘who the hell is this guy?’ fashion by churning out a house play list from times passed. These same people were then up on the dance floor 15 minutes later, unable to resist getting down do some ten year old tracks and by the time Mig-L shut down the cramped DJ set-up with The Crookers remix of Kid Cudi’s Day ‘n’ Night, the venue was packed tight with an audience mixed in age, all anticipating the same incredible experience that was about to happen.

Booka Shade’s Walter Merziger took his place amongst the electronic station of laptops and keyboards as big, bald German number two, Arno Kammermeier, squeezed in behind the electronic drum kit. No time wasted, they started their opening tune Karma Car (I was more than happy to listen to it a second time!).

“Do you want to go up now?”, my boyfriend asked. Before I could say, “Go up where?!”, I was launched skywards on his shoulders and the full scale of this event became apparent. From my spot, about six rows from the front, I could clearly see the band – even when I was standing on the ground. But from up high I also noticed there was not a vacant piece of flooring in the room. People standing or dancing even occupied the chairs surrounding the dance floor perimeter. I took my position back on earth and was instantly thrown into a beat-begotten frenzy as their second track, my favourite Dusty Boots was played.

Every single tune, old or new, that was performed on the night was mind-blowingly amazing and absolutely flawless. Even the lesser-known tracks caused dance fever amongst the crowd who didn’t let up for a second. A lot of Booka’s recorded music is somewhat mellow, technical and enchanting. When performed live, every track had this kind of raw, banging energy making them seem faster and harder. Nothing could stop the unbelievable vibe that hung like an electric glow through the entire venue; not the immense heat making our clothes saturated by our (and other people’s) sweat, nor the crush of the audience that, at times, turned the dance floor into a crazy moving mass. Every single second was total clubbing paradise for each smiling, dancing soul.

It wasn’t only the music making this night such a pleasurable experience. The bar staff and security were on the ball, with pass outs allowing punters to move in and out of the club, and only a short wait to get a drink at the bar. The organisation of the night was structured and the execution very impressive!

We weren’t the only ones having the time of our lives. Booka Shade were having an absolute blast. We didn’t even have to chant for an encore as Arno lifted his drumsticks in the air after finishing their declared final tune and said, “do you want one more?!” Booka belted out two more tracks, closing the night with Charlotte and leaving us all in an air of total content, despite being literally rained on inside by the sweat that had vaporised and condensed on the roof.

The night was well and truly shut down only a few tracks into Scott Fischer’s set with the fire alarm being triggered by body heat! As I was ushered outside, the wind hit me and I felt as though I’d just jumped into a pool fully clothed. Every single person that walked out of Transit Bar had a lottery-winning smile on their face and raved about every moment spent at the best live show they’d seen this year. For me, this was the best live show I’ve ever seen in Canberra. Hats off to Transit Bar and Pang! This event was beyond already high expectations and the Canberra dance scene supporters that attended are extremely grateful to such a generous team.