Phil K vs NuBreed @ Uni Bar (22/06/02)
Reported by Tristan Thursday, August 8 2002
The relief felt by students after completing mid year exams, combined with the memories of an explosive performance by Nubreed at the previous Sound Theory, always meant this one was going to be big. Ever since the now legendary performance at Two Tribes in Melbourne, the dynamite paring of the Nubreed boys, Db, Mykel and Jase together with Phil K, have had the attention of the nation and to a growing extent, the world, firmly focused upon this dynamite pairing.
Inside the venue it was clear a lot of work had gone into the preparation for the night. From the enormous quantities of bubble wrap to the large fabric video screens, the planning of this event had clearly been well executed. The miserable nature of Hobart?s weather also turned the provision of a cloak room from a good idea to a great idea, although at times too great for the appreciation of the volunteer attendants.
Modal, a new DJ on the scene, was first to grace the wheels of steel, playing a darker edged brand of tech-trance. Unfortunately for him, he had the unenviable position of playing to an empty dance floor, but it was better than playing to a bedroom wall and even Sasha and Digweed had to start somewhere.
SMC then proceeded to slow it down at the start of the set mixing out from Modal, holding back early on with some tech-house before starting to warm things up progressing through to some more tribally tinged tuneage. People still sitting down couldn?t help but be moved onto the floor as their feet took control of their bodies and proceeded to move with to the beat of ?Dark Ceremony?, ?The Desert? and the medicine remix of ?Many Members? among others. Scott?s set built up excellently throughout, constantly evolving and moving, simply commanding punters to dance by the deep driving action which at times just failed to cross the border into tech tinged progressive.
At around 11:30 the school bell rang and the lesson in creativity commenced. I thought the volatile plates that had ?rocked? Hobart a week earlier, had shifted yet again, but it was just the bass that SpinFx and Phil K had begun to produce. The type that is so low it almost becomes a feeling as opposed to a sound. The beats had begun and they were most definitely big, banging and broken. Their combined effort was full of rolling beats and basslines, which was not particularly my bag but undeniably infectious nonetheless.
The main set for the night, Phil K vs Nubreed started epically to say the least, with the lights blinding from the stage hiding the fabulous four. But when the lights went out, the beats kicked in and the four leapt into action. The message was clear, the show was on.
Watching the action on stage it poses the question of this unique show, What actually is it? Is it live?, or is it more of an improvised DJ set ? Frankly it?s a question which gives me sleepless nights but not as much as trying to define progressive house. However back to the action upfront, which was always in motion with much variance throughout the set from soulful female vocals to live rapping over the top of the music being created before our very eyes. In between dropping tunes such as a breakbeat mix of BT ?Remember?, their very own ?Welcome? and GT?s ?This is Not a Love Song? with some absolutely mad CDJ-1000 action over the top, they kept the dance floor moving and grooving even thought the sounds the audience were hearing they weren?t really accustomed to.
Following the departure of Nubreed, Phil K was given an energetic crowd all to himself for the first time of the evening. He continued the breaks flavour of the night, giving the audience a glimpse of the skills that he has mastered over 17 years and have made him the Pioneer poster boy on the Australian and International scene. All the hard work having been done, Phil kept the music flowing, only briefly interrupting it to dazzle the crowd with some EFX or CDJ feats more for the spotters than the average punter.
While not putting Delta Heavy to shame, with a smaller more confined space to work in than Future Elements 2, the lighting was noticeably better and a highlight of the night. With less isolation and more concentration in the area, the system was able to be utilised the way it was intended, producing a more than numerous amount of seizure inducing effects. The visuals also complemented the night well, with the close up of the action on stage a welcome feature.
While short of the atmosphere only a fire alarm in the middle for a set can produce, the energy Nubreed and Phil K produce when together is remarkable, and at times was greater than produced by the crowd. The crowd present was not really a target audience for the four being more suitable for a Bodyjar concert, and simply unaware of the skill and precision being created and performed in front of them by people making waves across the world. This was demonstrated no more clearly by the spinning of ?Without Me? which got a large reaction despite it being not an overly remarkable (read shithouse) tune because it was probably the only track they recognised. When asked by the familiar strains ?Can You Dig It?? the audience replied ??maybe if my mates do? or ??maybe if I have another beer?.
Enough of my chin-stroking whingeing though and it says a lot about Nubreed and Phil K that they had a throbbing floor in front of them for the majority of their sets. The chemistry so evidently produced by the four leaves me knowing the crowd left entertained and just that little bit more educated.
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