Sounds Mechanics pres. Producers Night @ Live, Adelaide (18/04/09)

Presented by Sound Mechanics, the Producers Night at Live on Light Square offered a sneak preview of the new and up coming DJs and performers in the Adelaide scene today, pushing their electro/trance/house/dubstep infused beats.

Arriving just as the first set was about to kick off, there was a happy party vibe in the air as I entered the front room of Live. The lighting was colourful, with lasers pointing in every which way through the haze of smoke pouring out of the smoke machine. Turning into a regular haunt for dance music lovers, Live has been opening its doors every weekend since last Spring, all throughout the hot Summer months and now well into the cooler Autumn months.

There was a 15 minute delay with setup issues as DJ Counterpart and Lauren Neko waited to start their set. Finally their set was underway with Lauren, a well-known Adelaide performer, producer and incidentally the new South Australian promotions coordinator for inthemix, belting out popular Basement Jaxx tune Red Alert and Chris Lake’s Changes, and also original tunes I Found You with Mobin Master as featured on the latest Ministry of Sound Housexy compilation, Venomous Type with DJ Counterpart and Fantasy with Matt Reverie which have both had airplay on Adelaide’s Fresh FM. The audience swung into their bopping mode as they enjoyed the live sound that filled the air. After the live component of the set was complete, DJ Counterpart added some ultra smooth and deep dubstep tunes, including Drop by Mistabishi, one of dubstep’s elite’s producers hailing from the UK. Unfortunately because of the late start to their set, it was cut short with only a couple of dubstep tunes dropped.

Up next was DJ Luke hitting the crowd with a mix of electro/house infused beats, while punters trickled in and out of the front doors, chilling in the alfresco like setting outside, enjoying a game of 8-ball in the front room, or sitting on the many lounges which lined the walls.

Following on was DJ/performer duo Shane Cross with Jess on vocals. Smashing into it with some epic trance tunes, such as Above & Beyond Home and Rank 1 L.E.D. There Be Light, Shane looked well at home behind the decks adding an enthusiastic and dynamic touch, and showing that he was loving every minute and so was the crowd. Jess clad in a sparkly silver halter top projected forth her amazing vocal range, singing tunes such as Ferry Corsten’s Made of Love which had everyone singing along, while she added a theatrical touch to her performance by greeting party goers in the crowd. Vocal trance is one of my favourite genres, and it’s great to see it performed live.

Blakwax who recently took out first place in the ‘Judgement Day’ DJ battle held at Mojo West in January, was up next delivery an electro housey set filled with classics such as Hocus Pocus Here’s Johnny, Jam and Spoon Ride in the Night and new electro tune by Sidney Sampson Riverside. Love or hate it, that tune that can stick in your head for days, and always manages to get the dancefloor moving.

Producer’s night indeed showed Adelaide a taste of our local talent, which as always, is abundant. Even though the night itself presented a happy and fun vibe, there was a lack of attendees to witness the local talent presented and it would have been good to see more make the effort to support our local scene, which certainly does cater for every taste and flavour.

Check out the next Sound Mechanics event; Electric City at Mansions, 21 Pulteney St Adelaide, kicking off its weekly night on Sat 2nd May 2009.