Every first birthday is important as it signifies a year of intense growth and expansion. Seeing the need to add more glamour to Brisbane nightlife, Fluxe were determined to bring plenty of dazzling fashion and fresh style through the GPO Hotel’s doors with fashion shows, undiscovered talent and a refreshingly youthful attitude. Now, with twelve months under their belt, Fluxe has blown out the candles to look toward another year of progress – and what better way to herald their move forward than with Carl Kennedy riding the storm.

On a warm evening with the stars in the sky I waltzed into GPO’s main room to be immediately surrounded by the pounding beats and throttling melodies of Brett J. He had unleashed a tribal atmosphere, inducing anarchic wildness in all who stood in the path of his beats. With his arms askew as his hands touched at the mixer he seemed immobile to the screams of glee that reacted to his vibrant musical textures. Poignant vocals tugged at heartstrings as soulful hymns were enveloped in strident rhythms and thick encompassing melodies. The sound system was overpowering in that box of a room, and the sounds emanating from Brett J’s hands seemed a little too intense, while the consistency often came across muddy and unclear. Still, my heart was certainly meeting the frenzy of the beats; palpitations thumping nicely to a rapid BPM. Brett J performed superbly; warming up the room nicely for the main event with all the thrill of unruly foreplay.

Then, soon enough, Carl Kennedy was behind the decks. His presence was immediate. With tattooed arms shining under the severe lighting and his long hair pulled back into a pony tail, he unleashed a maelstrom of music that assaulted the senses and penetrated to your very core. His sound was pristine – each texture and grain translucent in the wall of resonance that he had masterfully produced. His ear was excellent – clear, concise and peeling with layers. His bass lines reverberated from the back of the wall to the front and back again; undulating with brutal force. Such a manipulator of sound! As you stood surrounded in flagrant rhythms, you were teased; waiting with keen anticipation for the bass to drop. And just as you were pushed to the edge waiting for it, the bassline would propel the entire room into a frenzy. His beats thrust into the heart of the club as the lights blared across the room. Down the rabbit hole you fell, unsure of where you were going or how you were getting there. Only Carl knew and beneath his rampant rhythms, you obeyed – such precise and clear sounds with defiant beats breaking down your resolve.

Happy birthday Fluxe. May you continue to blow out many more candles with a future that burns bright long “into the night”.