Live Review: Elefant Traks 18th Birthday Party

You always remember your 18th. Reckless drinking, awkward family interactions and getting home as the sun rises. Tonight's mini festival to celebrate ET's coming of age combined all of these scenarios.

Elefant Traks, the independent music label that deservedly holds the tag as the nicest in the business, return to Max Watt's eight years on from their tenth anniversary party and the room is still an echo chamber. The venue is impressively adorned with an illuminated elephant hanging from the ceiling along with sound-activated flashing wristbands and custom brewed beer.

Following DJ sets from DGGZ and Chasm, The Last Kinection, from Newcastle, launch the night with their positive brand of hip hop with a rich Indigenous angle. Naomi and Joel Wenitong combine seamlessly on stage and we realise how much we need a new album from this group.

DJ Josie Styles keeps the vibe rolling before the latest ET signing takes to the stage. Out of Campbelltown, B Wise has had a huge year, which is in no small part due to his killer live show. The encouragement to get to know your neighbour in the crowd is not only a great gimmick, but it represents a combined feeling of family from the fans.

L-FRESH The LION, along with Mirrah and MK-1 consistently put on one of the hottest live hip hop shows in the country. The energy, positivity and love fills the room as we bounce along to 1 In 100,000 and scream Bulla! Such a perfect fit for the label and a must-see act.

We're treated to a DJ set from Jimblah before Georgia B joins him on stage and we are introduced to Homeward Bound, a brand new group with promises of new music around the corner.

The 'Imaginary Friends' DJs are next and the worst kept secret of the show is officially revealed. Hermitude take to the stage having had a massive 2016 and their set is a groove, dance and head-bobbing walk through their timeline. It's a set that will likely never be performed again; a magical reminder of the uber talent from the Blue Mountains bred duo.

The whole night is hosted by the co-founder and "dodgy uncle" of the label, Urthboy. His constant wardrobe changes keep us on our toes, although we could have done with the Sydney Swans get-up. He reveals the reasons behind the late venue change. Cake Wines were supposed to have hosted the event in their car park, but were nervous they'd garner unwelcome attention and bailed just weeks out from the event.

Horrorshow's MC, Solo, takes the rare opportunity to sing his duet, In My Haze, with the sensational Jane Tyrrell. It highlights a best-of set from the duo that features old and new, including their brand-new track, Push.

Gathering all of The Herd into one place is a rare occasion nowadays. Urthboy and Ozi Batla are spitting fire, diving straight into The King is Dead. Ozi bemoans the fact that they have to sing the scathing 77% , which sadly still feels extremely relevant. We love yelling out the C-bomb. The history of Australian hip hop cannot be told without this group and watching them reminds us of how important they have been in encouraging social awareness.

The birthday is a success. The label has no intention of slowing down and we are warmed by the fact that they continue to sign and release important music in this country. We start counting the days down to the 21st.