There are times when a dream comes along and as luck and fortune would have it, that dream becomes a reality. The ITM Queensland community was fortunate to be given the chance to chase a dream. Aiming for a star, the result was landing on the moon – with tech trance sensation Richard Durand coming to Brisbane on January 2.

Dutch wonder Richard Durand was first tipped by Tiesto as The Tip for The Top in 2007 for DJ Mag, with a series of stunning remixes and productions to bomb the world’s dancefloors and airwaves for the next two years, including hits such as Make Me Scream and Lethal Industry. In early December, local trance production crew Lemon & Lime seriously considered the offer for Mr Durand to come to Brisbane following his performances at Sensation Melbourne and Planet 01 in Perth. The ITM Queensland community instantly expressed a firm interest when this query was raised on forums. With his previous experience in pledging to bring Hernan Cattaneo to Brisbane – a gig that Mr Cattaneo has since acknowledged as The Gig of 2009 – Ritual Events then came on board to provide reassurance and assistance. Now armed with plenty of enthusiasm and expert advice, ITM QLD immediately stepped up to the mark on a seemingly impossible pledge. The quest was set: bring 100 people together for a private party featuring Richard Durand on January 02 and have all financials and details in place by December 17. It seemed an impossible feat, with the party a day after New Year celebrations, only two weeks to get this together and no major venue in town keen to take this on. So the questions were asked: how, who and where?

Word spread like wildfire. The ITM community were definitely quick to jump on board, with over 40 people jumping in to register their interest within the first few days. D Day came – with monies still outstanding. Panic stations were on alert, until prominent members of the trance and ITM community The Brandies stepped in and paid for the final tickets. At 5pm on December 17, it was confirmed: Richard Durand was coming to Brisbane on January 2!

Only the “where” remained, until ITM QLD’s State Promotions Coordinator Lady Lex remembered a rather spectacular rooftop central to Fortitude Valley with 360⁰ panoramic views of Brisbane. For the sake of propriety and also simply for the fun of it, the location of the venue was kept secret, with all guests asked to congregate in the Brunswick Street Mall in front of McDonalds distinctively bearing the iconic ITM headphone man. However, all through Christmas to New Year’s Day, Brisbane was flushed with clouds and rain, would the dream of the perfect rooftop party be washed away by Queensland’s tropical weather?

Saturday January 2 dawned – with few clouds in the sky. It was all systems go: ITM and Lemon & Lime would be presenting Richard Durand on a perfect Queensland day. Arriving straight from Perth after flying out from Sensation Melbourne, Richard Durand set to the decks, stunning all in the vicinity with his supreme technical skills and beatific eagerness. The rooftop was overcome with plenty of hollers and screams, particularly when he dropped Lethal Industry. It was an incredible day, however Mr Durand really summed it up when he took to the microphone and told everyone “I came here not knowing what to expect. I was told I was playing to a party of 100 people and I thought what the f#ck. This 100 people is way better than 30,000. Love you.”

ITM would love to thank all community members and guests who contributed towards the day, Ritual Events, Lemon & Lime, ID&T and Mr Richard Durand for an unforgettable event. If only we can read six months from now: “Richard Durand – Gig of 2010: A rooftop party to 100 people in Brisbane, Australia”

This youtube video distinctly captures the perfect moments of the day, with Mr Durand even posting it up on his Facebook.

You can also check out photos here