Since bursting onto the scene merely 18 months ago with the launch of their first party in Melbourne, Conquest has deeply imprinted its brand within the psytrance scene, having toured some of the biggest names of the genre to our shores, and extending their party reach to include Sydney, Cairns and New Caledonia. This weekend Conquest’s scope widened to host an outdoor party at beautiful Byron Bay, with none other than mega-stars GMS (Growling Mad Scientists), Michele Adamson, and Space Tribe (AKA Ollie Wisdom). Originally the party was to be held on private property which boasted lush rainforest surrounds and pool-side tranquillity, but due to reasons outside Conquest’s control was favourably moved to a more suitable location at Red Devil Park. Favourably, because as an in-house guest at the original rainforest retreat, given the wet weather in the lead-up and the ultimate number of party attendees, can’t fathom how the small area would’ve logistically and safely accommodated the event. However as everything eventuated, it was obvious that the Universal Powers were guiding proceedings, as from the punters’ aspect the whole day turned out to be nothing short of wonderful!

A delayed start didn’t allow Child his scheduled opening, but as traveling interstate chaperone to the visiting international headliners, was probably just as well. As fate would have it, local producer Lost Keys also didn’t play as scheduled, making way for DJ Nokturnal from Canada who by chance was on holiday in Byron Bay extending his stay to attend the party. With the opening set kicking off at 1.30pm, Nokturnal played a fitting opener with a relaxed comfortability that matched the immediate surrounds. With the stage set up backing onto the tree-line perimeter, two large tee-pees set up either side of the sound desk provided shade and shelter in the natural amphitheatre space. Looking around the open sparse, the majority of folk were taking in Nokturnal’s afternoon delights while kicking back outstretched on blankets and the naked lush tufty grass; though whilst not many were dancing upright at this point, the expression on faces, and the obvious movement of bodies made it clear everyone was grooving. There was a familiarity with DJ Nokturnal that at the time I couldn’t figure out, but later when I spoke to him all fell into place. Nokturnal is Darvin Knorr, who just happens to be a well-known promoter in Canada – associated with massive festivals such as Motion Notion, Burning Man and Shambhala; he is also one half of Sons of Aurora, but when he plays as Nokturnal he does so as a Zenon Records label DJ – the familiarity being that I knew of Darvin and Zenon is the psytrance label of our very own Sensient. An hour and half of suitably ambient progressive psytrance with the Zenon sound, Nokturnal warmed the atmosphere nicely for the first of the headline internationals.

English born Michele Adamson is no stranger to the ears of many a dedicated devotee of psytrance with her distinctly recognisable vocals that have long featured in many esteemed artists’ work, such as Younger Brother, Ott, Sub6, Violet Vision, Infected Mushroom, Sub6 and Psycraft. With what seemed to be a prerecorded set, as soon as the sound issues with her microphone were sorted, we were treated to a live performance from the delightfully energetic psychedelic trance vocalist, songwriter, producer and DJ. With the opening track of Wizzy Noise – Sabotage Pt 2, some of the crowd, especially the females arose from our comfortable posses to give it up for Michele. Into Ultravoice – Electronic Playground, with the afternoon sun beaming down, the heat of the dance floor was maintained as she continued for her brief hour performance, giving us Dino Psaras – Firewall, and finishing with the ever-popular Astrix – Closer To Heaven.

At 4 o’clock, the elusive Riktam and Bansi were unleashed to the stage, and with lots of the ‘growler’ sound that triggered their name, the Growling Mad Scientists (GMS) raised the levels into overdrive, almost blowing the system into oblivion. With a discography pages long, that features work from seven artist albums, multiple movie scores, and sports network themes, their remix works are multitude. Almost their entire set with the exception of a few of their well-known tracks such as Juice, Mescaline and Money For Nothing (as 1200 Mics), were their GMS remixes for 2-hours of non-stop mad fun. Starting with Who Da Funk Shiny Disco Balls drew more of the crowd to their feet, and with The Age of Love the trance heads arms were elevated reaching into the endless sky. With a clever mash of Adam Freeland Free Your Soul into David Guetta The World Is Mine, the crowd cheered as the vocal emanated, with everybody breaking into song. Michele joined the boys on stage, this time out in front for a couple of songs, but the Eurythmics Sweet Dreams with Michele’s haunting vocals was without doubt a crowd favourite. With everybody ‘shaking that ass’ to Groove Armada I See You Baby, right through to Depeche Mode – Enjoy The Silence, GMS again asserted why they’re so huge on the International circuit. It had been over four years previous since the guys had been to Australia and played, and with so much anticipation in the lead-up to their return, many of the punters were certainly satisfied with the pleasure of their performance.

Come 6pm we weren’t seeing double, though the two lads of Double Vision were the second duo on the billing. Following on from the full-on driving set of GMS, Double Vision dropped a couple of gears bringing the speed of sound back to an appropriate progressive pace suitable for dinner-time. The atmosphere Double Vision created with their melodic arrangement as the sun began to set and the darker clouds thickened overhead was the perfect accompaniment to recover, replenish energy stores, and have our stomachs settle – all in time for Space Tribe.

With the Conquest crew returning Ollie Wisdom home, he appeared rested as the local community welcomed his return as he took to the stage, which now was wonderfully lit with the lighting and lasers bringing to life the psychedelic decorative décor. With his live outfit and head mic in place, Space Tribe got us going again and took us on one hell of a driving ride with his full-on psy style. In typical rainforest fashion, the sky opened up shortly into his set and with the lasers cutting through the rain creating a visual spectacle, unfortunately was a little too torrential causing some technical issues, which thankfully with quick action and many hands on deck, allowed Space Tribe to continue. Though the tee-pees were full with standing room only, many unperturbed revellers wouldn’t allow the weather to dampen their dancefloor spirits, staying put in front of the stage. For another hour Space Tribe was in total control, until again the rain created more havoc, which for many including this reporter was the cue to depart to warmer comforts. However, the party continued with Larrikin taking over from Space Tribe after 9.30pm, and by all accounts continued on late into the evening as planned.

With the first instalment of Conquest presents to northern NSW, they certainly showed why their brand is a solid fixture of the psytrance party movement, and many are hopeful it’s not before too long they again return.