Richard in Your Mind DJ set,Purple Sneakers @ Transit Bar,Canberra 24/09/10

Tue 28th Sep, 2010 in Gig Reviews

Canberra’s version of Sydney club night Purple Sneakers has been kind of starting to wear out its skinny jeans of late, but that didn’t stop a decent crowd turning up to Transit last Friday night. Of course, it was a special occasion; apart from new local talents Lucky Punk, Kill the Landlord and Lost in Prague hitting the decks, but the fact Sneakers’ favourites PhDJ and Richard in Your Mind marched straight from their ANU Bar gig to guest DJ at their own official after party.

The well-dressed crowd remained fairly disinterested at first; lounging about near the bar as Lucky Punk and Kill the Landlord both played a mix of indie favourites. A few brave souls started bopping along to a more upbeat set from Lost in Prague, and by the time Sneakers’ stalwart PhDJ hit the stage the room was heaving; sweaty, happy and dancing non-stop.

Just after midnight the crowd from Richard in Your Mind started filing in, all dosed up on Richard’s brand of psychedelia and adding new energy to the increasingly packed dance floor. Unfortunately, this buzz seemed to wear off pretty quickly, and the crowd thinned considerably during RIYM’s set. I almost felt like apologising for Canberra’s apparent need to get its beauty sleep, but Richard et al seemed unfazed and, to be honest, a little disengaged.

The boys took turns spinning a decent set blending old and new school, hip hop and indie tracks. At times, the guest DJs bordered on self-indulgent, not always hitting the right notes with a crowd that’s used to singing all the words as they jump up and down, but they kept the partygoers partying and the dancers dancing. That certainly made for one of the more memorable Purple Sneakers nights at Transit.