- Friday, 5 March 2004, 7.10pm
Something that I’ve begun to really enjoy lately is the road trips to Canberra. It’s the mission of travelling such distances in search of great music that makes these trips uniquely special. A year ago I wouldn’t have thought that driving for three hours to the nation’s capital in order to see a DJ would have been a viable option. It’s something that would not have crossed my mind. But here I am, one year later, sitting in my hotel room on a balmy summer’s night, relaxing and getting ready to see Hybrid perform a DJ set at one of Canberra’s premier club nights, Friction Intimate. The drive down was what you would expect it to be when you’re with a great group of friends. It’s fun! Sitting in an air-conditioned car with tunes ranging from James Zabiela’s latest Essential mix through to Sean Quinn’s Two Tribes mix made the trip even more enjoyable. I can tell you there’s nothing like hearing Infusion’s ‘Girls Can Be Cruel’ vibrating through the car to get you in the spirit of things.
As an avid fan of electronic dance music, I have high expectations for tonight. I’ve been listening to a lot of Hybrid productions these last few weeks, especially their brilliant ‘True To Form’. I’ve also been listening to a lot of progressive breaks, which is something that I’ve only begun to appreciate lately and am certain will be played tonight by this groundbreaking English production team. Given the length of their set, I know there will be so much more on the cards so I can’t wait to actually get to Lot 33 and experience what will be on offer. In a few hours, the rest of the Sydney crew will be here and together we’ll partake in another Canberra adventure.
Saturday, 6 March 2004, 10.09am
I’ve spent the last hour or so sitting infront of my laptop trying to write an opening sentence. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to try to explain what you’ve experienced in a way that will make the reader completely understand where you’re coming from. It’s not often that I’m at a loss for words but this morning I just can’t find the right words to tell anyone how brilliant Hybrid were last night. Yes, I did have high expectations but from past experiences, I’ve learnt that sometimes it’s better not to have any preconceived notions about a night because ultimately, you find yourself less then satisfied. Last night however was one of the few exceptions. For the duration of their four and a half hour set, Hybrid owned Lot 33!
But before I get ahead of myself, I have to mention Jeff Drake and Mikah Freeman otherwise known as Two Square. I first saw this dynamic duo when they played support to Danny Howells in Canberra last year. Without question, that night they were exceptional in not only their track selections and technical skills but also the energy they transmitted. They were a pleasure to watch as well as hear. Recently, I saw them headline the last Junction party, which saw them play a tougher style of progressive. Last night, as support to Hybrid, they were in their own territory and they excelled. Their blend of progressive breaks and progressive house had the dancefloor heaving and the energy they created was electric. These guys are as passionate as they are talented and their popularity will continue to rise. You only have to watch them work, watch them interact with the crowd and with each other, to understand that they truly love what they do. On Friday night, as warm up to Hybrid, they shone. Their set reflected a variety of progressive house and breaks and helped get everyone up and dancing and ready for the main act.
When Hybrid stepped up behind the decks, laid down the first track, Lot 33 exploded! For the next four and a half hours, all who were there were treated to probably one of the best sets from any international to have been played in a long time. Their set ranged from fresh sounding progressive breaks through to a more epic style of progressive house. In between, there was a smattering of twisted electro sounds and dirty rolling basslines. Given that the set was a back to back effort, it was apparent that the music styles were changed depending on which Hybrid member was playing. Mike Truman would play the progressive breaks and electro sounding tunes while Chris Healings played the momentous progressive house numbers, many of which had the deep rolling basslines that I love. The alternate styles worked perfectly together and allowed the set to be as interesting as it was varied but never, ever dull. It also enhanced one of the most electric crowd vibes I ever experienced. While there were a lot of unreleased tracks used, there were a number of well know tunes that were heard such as Chable & Bonicci’s ‘Ride’ as well as new remixes of old classics, in particular Prodigy’s ‘Smack My Bitch Up’ remixed by Seb Fontaine. During the entire length of their set, they kept me and everyone else on the dancefloor, wishing that it would never stop.
It’s not often you get to experience a set that’s so perfect that you don’t even think it’s happening. It’s not often that I found myself crying either but that’s what happened. As 6am approached, the large crowd that remained was treated to one of the most emotional endings to a night that I’ve seen in a long time. It started with Hybrid playing Mike Koglin’s ‘The Silence’ followed by a cheeky breaks remix of Men At Work’s ‘Downunder’ (yes, Men At Work!) and ended with New Order’s timeless ‘Blue Monday’. Before the last beat of New Order’s track was completed, the crowd was already screaming for ‘one more’. The encore track? Hybrid’s ‘Finished Symphony’. After four hours of perfection, to hear this classic track being played by the very people that created it was too emotionally stunning for some, including myself. Looking around, wiping tears from my eyes, I could see that I wasn’t the only one. From the Friction promoting crew to the people on the dancefloor, you could see that this was an almost unbelievable experience. And it was in that moment that I think everyone realised that they had just been a part of something special. It would be two more encores before Hybrid finished their monstrous set with the last track being played after the house lights went on. The smiles on everyone’s face, the look of unbelievable pleasure that everyone had was something that I hadn’t seen at the end of a party in a long, long time. It was THAT good!
There’s nothing more disappointing then going to see a DJ who can’t mix and people use the excuse that he or she is mainly a producer so they can be excused for a lot of mistakes. I personally don’t there should be any excuses. If a producer wants to call him or herself a DJ as well, then I expect them to have the matching skills. Hybrid proved that it’s possible. Their technical skills were close to perfect and they didn’t treat the job of mixing as if it were some kind of chore. Not only that, just watching the ease with which they worked together and interacted with the crowd added another unique element to the set. As much as the crowd was overwhelmed, so too was Hybrid. It really was an amazing night and one that I will never forget. As an added bonus, Proton Radio recorded the set and was given immediate permission from Hybrid to air it as soon as possible on .AUdio. Look out for it in the coming weeks because quite frankly, this set just begs to be heard.
A huge thank you to the Friction crew for putting on one of the most amazing clubbing experiences I’ve ever had. This is how it should always be. A huge thank you to Hybrid for playing one of the most stunning sets I’ve ever experienced. This is how music should be played and enjoyed.
Sunday, 7 March 2004, 8.22pm
I still have a smile on my face. I still feel overwhelmed. I still think it was all a great dream.
Much respect!