If you build it, they will come. Tens of thousands of punters dressed head to toe in white and ready to party, that is. ID&T returns to Melbourne this NYE with the second installment of Sensation, the opulent ‘Ocean of White’, and as the company’s Dutch representative Irfan van Ewijk told ITM recently, it’s an operation that has a hugely elaborate setup process.

“The containers arrived last week, we’ve commence the pre-rigging and production preparations,” Irfan told ITM. “It is a pretty hectic time right now to get everything in, arranged and fully prepared in time but all is looking very good.” Included in the setup for the party is a 160-meter stage stretching right across the field of the Etihad Stadium, which features a 30-meter high centre stage along with two catwalks, each stretching for 80 meters with more than 10 water fountains installed. Add to this firework drapes, explosions and special effects, dancers, acrobats flying through the air as well a ridiculous amount of water (all recycled, of course), and you can expect a show that’s heavy on the spectacle and eye candy.

“‘The Ocean of White’ is an infinitely better show compared to the ‘Oak of Love’,” Irfan told ITM. “There’s a reason for that, as when we started touring some years ago we could never have dreamt that we would go overseas, so we created our shows for other European arenas. Coming and going to other stadiums around the world, we learned that one size doesn’t fit all! The Etihad Stadium is so huge that the ‘Oak of Love’ was nice, but it could have been bigger. This year we have improved the show. Not only in size also in choreography, styling, decoration, technical production, show and effects. It really is so much better, but don’t take my word for it!”

The result is a party that has always been just as much about the ‘event’ itself, as it is the DJs who are providing the soundtrack for the evening. “The music needs to be, and always will be, a crucial element of the show. But we’ve proven that the event is an incredible success without just adding big names in the line up. Sensation is so much more than just putting a headliner on the billboard and selling tickets on their reputation… I have toured ‘Ocean of White’ throughout ten cities in Europe and each and every time I have witnessed the opening show and the Megamix I was blown away. To this day it gives me goosebumps!”

Sensation ‘Ocean of White’ comes to Etihad Stadium in Melbourne this Thursday 31st December, tickets on sale now at ITM. Check out ITM’s Festival Page for all the info you could possibly need!