The unfortunate consequence of having such a great list of DJs at a festival like Stereosonic is that the sets are usually only meagre appetisers and not the full course. Sometimes a one or two hour set from some DJs can feel like an unsatisfying hurry.

With an act like Ricardo Villalobos (who is used to playing until the sun rises in Ibiza or the last person is standing at Watergate), the idea of a playing less than three hours seems like a small injustice. So, the whispers back in August of a four-hour sideshow were very greeted warmly by lovers of Villalobos, who would give their undivided attention for as long as he would have them.

Last Friday, with the Prince Bandroom filling rapidly during Mike Callander’s deep house set, waiting for for the Chilean-born German to embark, the anticipation was tangible. However, while we waited, the room became infected by Callander’s deep house grooves, making people almost unaware to the fact that Villalobos was a half hour late.

As the many crates of vinyl were placed behind Callander, it made even the most moderate techno follower salivate. It was set up to be a deep long journey into his tastes, all played by one little needle. As a very much a purist, with aversion to all things digital, it was expected that the set would be raw and special- one filled with his unique sounds that he creates on his elusive productions.

However this side of Villalobos, which makes him such a figure, did not transpire throughout last Friday. He catered very much directly to the crowd rather than letting us be taken down his path. Refraining from entering his brand of micro-house with its unique blips and blops, he played the records that you wouldn’t be surprised to hear from any other house DJ at the moment.

He seemed to be riding the train of the early ‘90s house wave that is overcoming us all, rather than delving into the unique aspects we have known from his infamous Fabric mix and the Alchichofa. These are productions which blur the line between artistic electronic music and the dancefloor.

Friday night was too focussed on the latter. The only thing that allowed me to recognise it was Villalobos was his noticeable gangly frame and his hair flick every five seconds, rather than what was coming out of the speakers. However this disappointment didn’t spoil the party. With every climax and drop, the hands of the Prince Bandroom went up in the air. His choice to play I Called U by Lil Louis and the World at length was rewarded by a wild reception from a responsive and fun crowd.

The capacity of the room hardly waned with enthusiasm, especially peaking with the classic track Good Life by Inner City. The nonchalance of Villalobos was momentarily gone when he beamed a smile, enjoying the track and the crowd’s reaction to it.

The party went on to the early hours of the morning, the four hours seeming like a blur. However, this probably reflects more your average party rather than a long journey into his crates and tastes. For an artist that has productions so layered, that after the 100th time of listening to them it still unravels itself, this performance was relatively two-dimensional.

He has stated on many occasions that soon he wants to hang up his club boots to save his ears for producing until he is grey and old. If it means he keeps creating what he has, rather than playing what’s hot, I support him wholeheartedly in his decision.