If you spent your Friday the 13th hiding under the covers, you missed out on a much more productive way to risk your health: a high-voltage baptism of drum and bass at The Timber Yard with legendary British producer and DJ, Sub Focus.
This massive Port Melbourne industrial space is essentially a giant, fancy shed that was never meant to hold this much bass, yet it managed to stay standing while Sub Focus attempted to vibrate it into oblivion.
The night kicked off for my plus one and I with 1991, who apparently didn’t get the memo that he was “just” a support act. He absolutely killed it, delivering a set so high-energy it felt like he was personally trying to power the entire CBD. His remix of ‘Smalltown Boy’ and ‘Insomnia’ had the whole warehouse jumping and the ground shaking.
By the time NERO stepped up for their first Australian show in a decade, the crowd was already at fever pitch. Ditching two members to perform solo, Dan Stephens set was a bit of a curveball, slower and moodier than the chaos that preceded it and acting as a perfectly timed “calm before the storm” that gave everyone a chance to remember how to breathe before the main event. Their visuals were also one of the highlights of the night with moody Bladerunner / cyberpunk’esq city scapes and mysterious figures in space. Their 2011 hit ‘Promises‘ and mix of ‘crush on you‘ hit the spot.
When Sub Focus finally took over the decks, any remnants of a “chill” Friday had long since disappeared.
While Melbourne got the DJ set version of his Circular Sound tour, the production was still top-tier. He shredded through a decade of anthems, proving why he’s still the king of the genre while the crowd turned the dance floor into a unified, sweating mess.
We left with our hearing slightly compromised (note to self: invest in ear protection next time) and a newfound respect for an often overlooked genre. If you weren’t there, you’ve got some serious catching up to do.
– The Plus Ones
Sub Focus is touring Australia with dates in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Perth. Book tickets here.
This venue is accessible.
