Live Review: Richie Hawtin, Mad Racket DJs

Amidst the melancholy drizzle overhead and the dazzle of lights, a rugged-up bunch of rapscallions huddled together to witness a spectacular show that was in perfect synchrony with the energy exuded from the luminous harbour.

Mad Racket DJs warmed up the crowd with finesse. No strangers to the Sydney scene, they induced an electric buzz that had groovers moving. An eclectic array of house and techno set the scene for the Canadian-born Richie Hawtin, who holds something of a legendary status amongst fans. Having consistently strived to push the boundaries of electronic music, his new show CLOSE was an enthralling and interactive blend of masterful technique and visual bedazzlement. It was easy to become lost in it all. The milieu proved exceptionally enticing with the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the right and Richard to the left.

The chill of the evening did not deter a spirited crowd, buoyed by the master class Hawtin served up. Billed as a genuine original, this shape-shifting musical guru wowed crowds with a high-intensity set. Thundering kicks, sharp hats and pitch-shifting delays echoed across the harbour and transformed the Northern Broadwalk of the Opera House into something very special. He seemed right at home, setting up shop in the gem of our glorious city. Unfortunately, there was a little bit of a lull as the music got a little bit more experimental but Hawtin brought it back with a hectic close. His hands danced methodically across the mixer, caressing the knobs and faders with an artful dexterity. The symbiosis of the pulsating and vivacious techno and the scintillating and effervescent visual display was a sight to behold. The overall experience was dank and aptly vivid.