Harbourlife @ Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney (22/11/08)
Well wasn’t Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair the place to be last Saturday! Yes, once again Fuzzy pulled out all the stops to present us party people with the 2008 edition of Harbourlife. With international acts like * Feadz, Felix Da Housecat* and DJ Sneak entertaining us all and of course, the backdrop of Sydney Harbour – what could go possibly wrong?
Sadly, the weather is the one thing we never have any control over. Mother Nature was not really on our side but must admit, and with a top temperature of 15 degrees and a westerly wind that was colder than any we experienced last winter, it only spurred us on to dance harder. Arriving at 3pm I’d already missed Illya’s first hour of power, but I was safe in the knowledge that we would see him again at 6pm and made my way down to the Harbour foreshore – what a city we live in! As the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge came into full view I was more than glad I was lucky enough to attend this dance extravaganza.
DJ Sneak was belting out some great tunes and the crowd was revving themselves up for a bumper afternoon that would roll right into the evening. This Puerto Rican born DJ has certainly perfected the sounds of Chicago house, and is a respected by some of the world’s best. Famous for classic tunes like Fix My Sink and Booty Call it wasn’t long before we were moving and a shaking. Fortunately the sun was shining, and it took some of the chill away however the number of party people on boats was half what it was last year, and there certainly wasn’t anyone diving into the water!
The applause and cheers that finished DJ Sneak’s set grew for the musical onslaught that are the Aston Shuffle. This duo originally from Canberra has taken the electro and tech house genre by storm, and their set had everything an electro fan could have asked for and the crowd was going nuts! I moved quickly up to the Treetop Stage to see what Learned Hand was producing. Not much unfortunately. These DJ’s from well known Funk Trust storm had got it all a little wrong last Saturday. This was unusual for them, but it wasn’t surprising that there was only 15 or so people trying to grasp where their set was heading. Sending out tunes that strayed a little too close to hip hop for such an event, it wasn’t long before I departed back to the main arena.
Van She Tech was next but I will admit I only caught the first 15 minutes of it. They brought an electro sound to be reckoned with. While personally I’ve never been a massive fan of electro house, the 5,000 other people busting moves clearly disagreed with me! Heading back over to the Treetops stage to catch Illya’s second set for the day, he showed again why he’s one of my favorite house DJs and I was screaming for more. This Aussie maestro started out at some of Sydney’s best known and original underground haunts – Icebox and SoHo! I never thought you fit the theme song from Seinfeld into a house set so easily, who knew it was possible but Illya pulled it off effortlessly. But we all cheered when we heard it and his efforts were appreciated. A fair crowd was on the ride with him and the Treetop dancefloor filled with house lovers aplenty.
Grabbing a quick cocktail and a deck chair for the next half hour I could hear the crowd roar as Parisian DJ Feadz drilled out some great tunes. The wind was picking up however and I could tell it was taking its toll on us all. Mother Nature was not sympathetic to our cause, it would seem. But catching the last half hour was a treat and I planted myself on the hill and awaited the master himself. I guess the hill provided some visual entertainment also as tired legs tried to negotiate their way up it without much success and the amount that stumbled down it was growing with every minute that ticked by.
Feadz left the stage to a “woo hoo” from the crowd and a drum roll brought on America’s Felix Staling AKA Felix Da Housecat! Whistle whistle cheer cheer clap clap! Responsible for Silver Screen and Madam Hollywood, the crowd came to a head as a remix of MGMT’s Kids belted the airways. And didn’t we dance, hands were in the air and smiles were spread across people’s faces! What away to go end the day.
As I made my way up the stairs to the exit at about 10pm, I looked back on the end of Harbourlife. It would seem the cold had got the better of a few party people which was a shame, but for those who stuck it out till the end we were well rewarded. Felix’s set was huge and the sound from the crowd as he signed off was deafening despite the dwindling crowd. Thanks again Fuzzy – in spite of the cold temperatures, we had a ball!
stu_jacks88 says...
'and there certainly wasn’t anyone diving into the water!' a dude drowned not too long ago at the party from hitting his head and falling in off a boat. be careful of your phrasing man. in relation to the day...props to Feadz for an awesome set, very underated dj. Felix...was ok.
KyrO says...
Aston shuffle played a mean set! Feadz controlled the crowd from the start with his tempo changes and drops. But Felix da housecat set deteriorated after the Soulwax remix of Kids was dropped, constantly turning the music down and talking to the people behind him, the guy clearly didn't give a toss about us as his set never went anywhere...
cableguy2004 says...
I agree with Kyro, Felix didnt give a shit about the set. He was more interested in some slags behind the decks that he was feeding vodka to than the crowd. It started well but by the end noone was even bopping in the crowd. I had a great day but he could and certainly should have made it heaps better with a good set to end the day
Spoony1984 says...
If you are going to review an event, it would be good for you to review some of the technical aspects too. Felix messed up at least 3 of his mixes; very sloppy for a DJ of his pedigree - you'd think he would have perfected the art of beat matching by now. Feadz was excellent to say the least - he had it ALL down to a tee. Oh and the apparel store would have made a killing if they stocked hoodies. Overall it was a good day but Carl Cox @ Arthouse topped it that evening.