A perfectly sunny day greeted revellers as the gates swung open to the Stereosonic faithful, The showgrounds abuzz with fluoro wearing freaks, kids in homemade Deadmau5 masks, and boob tubes, oh so many boob tubes.

With five stages to choose from you could always find something to enjoy, Bang Gang DJ’s, Darren Brias and local breaks master, Micah were the early day highlights, keeping the crowds moving and the vibes happy. The only downer on a perfect day was the lines, early to middle of the day lines, for beer, for money, even to get into the mist tent at one stage.

Chicane drew the first of the big main stage crowds, band leader Nicholas Bracegirdle was joined with a live guitarist and drummer, which added to their dynamic live show. Offshore had the crowd bouncing, before the huge 1999 smash Don’t Give Up finished off their most awesome set.

Over on the Outrage stage, a storm of heat and frenzy was brewing for the Bloody Beetroots, without doubt the most insane act on the bill. After caning the crowd with singles Warp and Cornelius, they busted out some festival favourites. Beastie Boys’ Sabotage the most notable, causing an impromptu mosh pit.

Zombie Nation rolled along dropping Kernkraft 400 before blending in crowd favourites The Presets’ This Boys In Love to a loved up audience, Axwell, who had spent the previous days in freo eating fish and chips and swimming at Rottnest, bopped between Soulplayaz tunes and his own solo material.

Fedde Le Grand had a swell set rocking the main stage with his Breathe/ We Are Your Friends (Prodigy/Justice) mix that had the happy clappers singing their hearts out. Walking On A Dream was a sentimental highlight before Ida Corrs’ Let Me Think About It had thousands of feet stomping in sync. The only let down being Put your Hands Up For Detroit – a shit song made even worse by the never ending intro.

Crookers pulled out his AC/DC remix of Thunderstruck, Cut Copy DJs rocked out and put on a sterling set for the stragglers on the lounge chairs near the rocket stage, but the set of the day went to Laurent Garnier, effortlessly dropping between electro, dub step and drum and bass, the first and only time such variety was dished out during Stereosonic 09.

Grafton Primary were good but not great, the man most had came to see, Deadmau5, was average with dance chart topper I Remember losing some of the feel in the open air mix. With the promoters threatening eviction if punters took their shirts off, Outrage stage closer Jus Haus broke all the rules, winding a lively set, shirtless.

Of all the dance heavy festivals I’ve been to, this one was easily one of the best, the crowd was full of good vibes, the tunes were great and the weather simply awesome. Bring on Stereosonic 2010.

NOTE: There are no photos from Stereosonic as it is festival policy to refuse access to media photographers.