Genesis pres. MaRLo, tyDi & Alex Morph @ The Hi-Fi, Sydney (09/06/2012)

For the Genesis crew, this month’s Armada Nights proved yet another successful trance event headlined by several of the genre’s leading international artists. Despite the somewhat different setting – being held during the day in the middle of winter – the Genesis event still wound up being an amazing day. The success of the event was down to all the usual successful elements that we’ve come to expect from Genesis events: amazing music, an up-for-it crowd and well-supported production.

Firstly, I can honestly say that Tenishia was a jack-in-the-box experience. He was crisp, enticing and inviting, inducing a loss of inhibitions hastening our pace on your journey to the front of the dance floor. The best thing about Tenishia’s set, I’m glad to say, was that it was well suited to the time-slot that he played. Settling in for an inviting, innovative soundtrack, it was easy to enjoy the bouncy waves of energy and edgy, gritty tech sounds bursting out of the speakers as the dancefloor pushed towards capacity.

With the floor now filled with a very enthusiastic crowd, MaRLo stepped up and made his presence felt. After easing us in, he delivered a delectable selection of freshly-made favourites including John O’Callaghan’s Big Sky, though he erred on the side of dependable tracks rather than trying something different. As MaRLo’s time on the decks came to the end, local duo of Thomas Knight and Nick Arbor followed with their arbitrary set, adding a second rush of energy. The Hi-Fi was transformed into a state of sweaty room of euphoric ecstasy as the classic sound of Cosmic Gate’s Exploration of Space eroded the melodic nature of MaRLo’s music.

TyDi cautiously lead us down the path of the usual fun and pleasurable – if predictable – feeling of what was to follow. TyDi’s well-known style of big room tracks and on-stage antics suitably delivered, as his set energised with Gareth Emery’s Concrete Angel and Tiesto’s Traffic. TyDi reacted well to the crowd’s demands, dropping the sort of big room bass-driven tracks usually reserved for later on in an event’s proceedings. TyDi had me captivated whilst I waited patiently to embrace Tiesto and BT’s Love Comes Again.

But this was the big moment: when the ever-recognisable physique of Alex M.O.R.P.H. appeared on stage. As Morph was engulfed by the explosion of cheers, I knew that he was going to deliver a unique experience that I’d yet to experience today. I had experienced Alex Morph on numerous occasions before and he’d never let me down then and as the sounds of his infamous Imperial March (Intro Edit) began, it was clear tonight too would deliver.

Morph’s combination of melodic, soothing sounds with sharp instrumental baselines kicked in and prompted the perfect atmosphere. Morph progressively built his set, hyping the crowd into a frenzy as we waited for him to progress his set into something greater and more spectacular. Morph’s personal remix touch on both Aly & Fila and Jaydwen’s We Control the Sunlight and Armin Van Buuren’s classic track Shivers hit the mark and added credibility to his set. Morph thanked the crowd, retreating slowly back into the shadows behind the stage and leaving behind an impressive image of what true artistry means.

Before the night wrapped up, Myon & Shane54 took over to drop a series of trance favourites. Included in the set was Andrew Bayer feat. Molly Bancroft Keep Your Secrets (Myon & Shane 54’s Summer Of Love Mix) and Fonzerelli vs. Tom Fall & Ben Nicky’s Moonlight Hammer (Myon & Shane 54 Miami Mashup). Then there was that well contented nightcap in the form of more popular, timeless vocal trance tracks including Gareth Emery vs. Delerium’s This Is Silence (Myon & Shane54 Collision), Alex Kunnari vs. Rex Mundi’s Nothing The Sun (Myon & Shane 54 Mashup) and Elektra Satellite (Myon & Shane 54 Mashup).

Yet again, Genesis provided some grand moments. As the quality of trance music events in Sydney continues to grow, knowing that brands like Genesis are expanding and bringing more great events along with them is heartening. I look forward to what Genesis brings next.