Review – Boogaloo + Back To Battle
Last weekend saw a veritable feast of electronic music. With such a large range of events to choose from in recent days, a sampling of what is currently on offer here in Perth was definitely in order.
Friday night saw a large swath of punters descend on The Nine for the inaugural Boogaloo tracksuit part held in the Bar Open area downstairs. Forgoing the usual route to the upstairs Dnb arena, our group entranced Bar Open, plonked ourselves down, orders drinks, and took stock of our surrounds.
The dulcet sounds of Midnight Star pumped, the dance-battles ensued, and the night was on. Upstairs the DnB continued to pound away, but it was curious to note that many of the Nine regulars were, instead, sitting down below in Bar Open enjoying the smoother sounds of old school electro, boogie and funk whilst we watched the parade of track suit festooned individuals getting down and dirty.
Sardi opened up, and he along with Phetsa, Aswon and Joe Black regaled everyone through the evening with such a diverse but synconistic load of tunes that it was hard to pick a favourite! The highlight of the evening though had to be the Special Lucas/Greg Packer combination. Playing as Special Package, these boys really know how to funk it up – their tune selection was second to none and some of the rarities they popped out had everyone glowing with enthusiasm.
Despite the somewhat overly heavy handed attitude of one pony tailed individual, and a few moments spent outside in bemusement, the evening was one of the best nights out this year. The Nine crew, especially Special Lucas and Greg Packer (who I believe were the brains behind the event), can be lauded in their efforts for putting together such an eclectically pleasing evening. Let’s hope that this turns into the monthly gig that I hear it’s going to be!
The second weekends mission, and this time it was off to the Bakery for Back 2 Battle. This gig, put on by the boys at Inhibit, was a continuation of a series of events that they have held at the venue over the past few months. Arriving at a fairly early time, with those funky robots doing their thing on the big screen, the place wasn’t exactly pumping – but a small dedicated crowd pumping along to Jazza who played masterfully. 1-1-7 was up next, and this newer face also pulled off a great set.
Turning around to take stock at midnight, I was suddenly confronted with a packed venue, as Illusiv and Access finished off a great little repertoire. Dub Alley unleashed themselves next and blew the roof down as they all so often do. Standout set of the night? Rufkut and Rintel! The boys have definitely got it, and it was great seeing them in the Inhibit line-up – Ruffy looked hyped and gleeful and Rintel was in perfect form. The night closed with Dub-z, who didn’t let up and kept everyone on the floor til close. There were so many MCs we were spoilt! With such a huge line-up, it was hard to tell a standout, but for me, it was the old familiarity of Rippa that I most noticed, but all of them did well.
The entire Inhibit crew deserve accolades – the event went off almost completely without a hitch. The DJs performed well and enthusiastically, and the crowd loved it. After only a year in the game, the Inhibit crew give Perth a fresh taste to a scene that could easily end up as a bunch of sad, jaded junglists train-spotting in a corner. Their exuberance and enthusiasm as they continue to grow into a mature, professional promotions crew is obvious. The addition of showcasing rising stars of DnB here in Perth, alongside some of the old favourites, gives one a glimpse of the future of the scene here in this city – and, I for one am looking forward to seeing what they come up with next.
Tags: 1-1-7, access, aswon, dub alley, dub-z, greg packer, illusiv, inhibit, phetsa, rintel, rufkut, sardi, special lucas, special package, the nine