Toxikon’s Gallery

The 2010 Radiothon Opening Party was a night of fun, dancing and a few surprises across three separate spaces in the Astor complex. With Adam Trainer at the music director’s helm, there’s a few experimental concoctions now being added to the party vibe.

RTR’s annual fund-raising campaign was launched with its famous Opening Party and once again, Tomás Ford has proven himself to be the irrepressible “master of the dance floor “and “king of crowds”. There were plenty of prizes, song requests and physical challenges (That was just in the first ten minutes!) Using a half-dozen computer screens and the cinema screen, Ford provided Invaders-era video game visuals that were the perfect backdrop to his hilarious mix of self-deprecating humour and techno beats. A balance was struck between dance floor favourites and mellow numbers that allowed the audience a chance to get close to Ford.

The sassy pop stylings of Milly James started with a blast. Playing such favourites as Indigo and Trip (which she was careful to assure the audience was not about drug use), the crowd was easily pleased. Preferring to go with a simple lighting and stage set up, James created an intimate show highlighting her beautiful vocal strength. Although a sad night for the songstress as she farewelled a band member, she also introduced her new project Millie and Slam.

The svelte dance-floor pop of The Voltaire Twins was a highlight of the night for the party goers. Siblings, Jaymes and Tegan fused 8-bit electro with nu-rave pop to deliver an unexpected assault on the senses. The duo put on a colourful and vigorous show that had the audience dancing and culminated in Jaymes flinging away his keyboard!

No party would be complete without the ‘horns galore’ of The Brow Horn Orchestra. After winning the final of The Next Big Thing, The Brow has gone from strength to strength. Their fantastic show featured back up dancers, beach balls and a whole lot of modern pop that had the crowd dancing and playing a massive game of beach volleyball.

The upbeat vibes of local party makers Boys Boys Boys were a fantastic end to the night, captivating the crowd with their idiosyncratic musical stylings.

The upstairs cinema featured Craig McElhinney, Gilbert Fawn, Mystic Eyes and Rabbit Island. It was transformed into a chill-out area dedicated to experimental sounds. RTR’s Kynan Tan accompanied the performances with a live VJ set. The hypnotic and mystifying screen projections were an amazing addition to each artist’s set. A highlight was Gilbert Fawn with his spellbinding use of various electric instruments that created a surreal experience for the audience.

Upstairs in the candy bar, some of the city’s best DJs in Diger Rokwell, Mama Cass, Charlie Bucket and RTR’s Sardi and Ben Elliott inhabited the space that let the crowed mill over drinks and take in the local talent.

If the opening party is anything to go by, then RTR FM has a massive year ahead. Drawing a huge crowd of dedicated followers and showcasing heaps of local talent, RTR has shown once again that Perth has a talented, thriving and active music industry.

Toxikon’s Gallery