Think of the party brand Space, and one is taken to an island far away, where the parties are big, the beats bigger, and the experience is usually one that is rarely forgotten. For the first time ever, that same Space name was heading down-under, and on no less than the first day of the year, would grace Sydney with its presence. While it was a miles away from that dance-infused island known as Ibiza, the line-up had potential, as did the idea, and as the grey skies cleared up for a mild yet generally overcast day, many wondered how it would all turn out.

To the very last day, the final line-up remained a point of contention, with rumours a plenty about guest appearances from superstar international DJs. Set times were just as dynamic, with a late shuffle on NYE causing some angst among many punters. While some may squirm in their seat uncomfortably as the names Dirty South, Derrick Carter and Smokin’ Jo are placed in the same sentence – regardless of what you might think of any of them – having them so early in the day was just not cool. In fact, given that most Sydney people had partied until the wee hours of the morning, trying to convince your friends to turn up at a festival anytime before 3pm is either causation to soon be asking for new friends, or just one big massive headache for all involved. This was especially the case given that most of the punters that arrived through the course of the day – let alone early – looked like they had in fact been dragged through a hedge backwards.

Harder work would however be waiting for those that had been victim to some sort of ticket scam that suggested free entry for some 500 punters that got there early. Gullible or not, some people believed it might actually happen, only to be told on arrival that said allocation had been exhausted, but that half-price entry was still available. That pleased a few, but many would whinge incessantly for hours. Some can still be heard muttering about it today.

Back to the music though, and for those that were punctual, they witnessed a Derrick Carter set loaded with jackin house that had the crowd bouncing, and in perfect festival form, if nothing else, was fun. The small numbers troubled the Chicagoan little, and he got a good part of the crowd up on its feet and dancing around. A fair effort given that some peoples’ faces seemed to resemble tall glasses of water, namely: colourless.

Elsewhere on the “Terrace” – looking more like a hot-dog stand than anything else – D Ramirez was shaking it up for an ever growing crowd. The tunes pumped out, although given the proximity to the Main Stage, leakage across the two was annoying at times, and downright inescapable. We soldiered on though, and as we pulled up a nice piece of green grass on the main stage, we, like many, had found our spot for the day, and got ready to see what the man with one of the most recognisable voices in EDM would dish up.

It may not have been “Radio Uno in Ibiza” but as Pete Tong wished Sydney a happy 2010, the sun graced us with its presence, friends rolled around on the grass together, new years’ pleasantries were exchanged everywhere, and fun was seemingly front and centre, festival life was good life. Tong’s set played like a what’s what of the Beatport top ten from 2009, but it was fun and just what the day needed. No chin-stroking here, just good vibes. Hey Hey from Dennis Ferrer and Strobe from Deadmau5 both got the crowd up and in arms, and as far as relaxing festival experiences I have encountered in my partying days, this was right there up the top, and wholeheartedly welcomed.

It all went a bit pear shaped when Tong exited stage left, especially as the act to follow was…the Potbelleez. Odd choice? Yes. I didn’t understand this before the day, on the day, and I’m still struggling with it. For me, the Space party seemed to be offering something different to the other festivals that seem to attract the same young electro-loving festival-uniform wearing crowd. With names like Carter, Ramirez, Carl Kennedy, Malente and even Tong, Space seemed to be targeted towards a more discerning, mature and maybe even musically educated crowd. What the Potbelleez were doing on the lineup remains beyond me though, and probably explained the exodus from the main stage as they appeared. Gave me a chance to check out Camillo Franco though, who took it right up to the seasoned punters on the Terrace. Not sure who the old man hanging out with the big Spaniard behind the decks was, but he looked to be having just as much fun.

A fleeting shriek from Sam Sparro on the main stage was enough for me to realise why he’d come on immediately after the Potbelleez, and while I treated him accordingly, there appeared to be plenty of heaving masses enjoying it. Life was good. As early evening began to set in, crowd numbers were seemingly given a sharp bolt, one punter musing that maybe everyone had realised how relaxed and chilled the day was and wanted in on the festivities. Maybe.

M.Y.N.C dropped in with an hour of nice festival feel good house before we switched into the final act for the night: Tiefschwarz. Or half of them anyway, with only Ali reporting down under for duties. Even more of a shame was that not fitting the last hour of a festival set, Ali took it back. Way back. And given the mood that most of the punters were in, and on a pleasant Sydney evening, it was probably just a little too chilled for that time of the night. Great music, but hey, there’s a time and place for everything, and this probably wasn’t it. It didn’t appear to matter too much though, as like they had all day, the punters appeared to take it all in their collective stride. Similarly on the “Terrace” where Malente offered up a solid set of his usual style of electro-infused breaks. No agro, no fights, no pushy crowds to contend with. The music was good without being fantastic, and while there clearly were some teething problems, it could be a welcome addition – and alternative – to the 1 January festival landscape in years to come.