Arriving into Billboards’ glowing warmth provided a fresh break from Melbourne’s recent conditions and set the tone for an evening of fun filled dancefloor mayhem. The stage up the front of the impressively sized venue was set up beautifully with extensive lighting rigs, a surround of LED display screens and an innovatively designed in the round scaffold DJ booth. Not to mention the audio stacks that when running full could blow the hat of any shuffler. This was it. One of Darkbeat’s larger scaled events which was executed magnificently.

Davey J and Rollin Connection were providing some highly digestible treats to a crowd ready for action. Presenting a blend of funky deep house and bouncy tech house creating an exhilarated atmosphere in preparation for Luke Fair.

The Canadian master, Luke Fair, demands a quiet respect when doing his thing. With his relaxed mixing style and eclectic musical taste he embarks on a musical journey throughout his well constructed sets. Ranging from an upbeat progressive electro-tech platform Luke managed to squeeze a consistent blend of genres into the set – I distinctly remember being taken back a few years to Melbourne’s thriving breakbeat scene and enjoying a moment of fond memories.

I was disappointed to be standing in the extensive cloakroom queue during the changeover but after a few plug ins, a quick set up check and an appreciated cuddle, Luke was done and the next headline act was preparing. As Nick Warren appeared, the atmosphere immediately intensified from each chinstroker at the sides to the hardcore boogiers front and centre. Everyone was eager to see what tricks he would pull from his hat.

Nick Warren’s set kicked off with a self produced moody introduction which led into a no-messing-about kick. This was the start of a relentless progressive techno set that had everyone bouncing from beginning to end. I feel the set lacked some diversity but lest we forget that Nick is coming from within the European scene where the slowly-burning progressive sound is in full flight.

Don’t get me wrong though: the set was impressive, the mixing was tight, the selection was more hits than not and the audio visual components were entertaining. Of considerable note were the epic dropping of Underworlds Dark and Long and Luke Chable’s The Shepherd remixed by Hernan Cattaneo and Martin Garcia. The only problem with Nick Warren’s set is that he was unable to perform the advertised four hours. But being the only down point I’d say is a winner.

This is where I departed the train, but thanks to my minions within Billboards, all reports of Sean Quinn’s closing set were positive. Well done Darkbeat – we can’t wait for the next amazing event.