Live Review: Astral People

While the night’s set times remained undisclosed to the Astral People Vivid Party attendees, Sydney’s Ben Fester & Preacha ended up kick-starting the night with their signature minimal house sound. The sold-out event took place in the Studio at Sydney Opera House, and the venue capacity left more than enough space for people to get their groove on, with a smoking area out on the terrace overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge, showcasing the spectacular Vivid lights in all their glory. 

Chicago’s Amir Alexander followed through on stage, and in the beginning played tracks that were upbeat and dancey but a little on the repetitive side. The vibe picked up a lot more after he spun Nina Kraviz’ Ghetto Kraviz about halfway through his performance and he delved into a deep house set with a real groovy, nostalgic ‘90s feel, complete with a really balanced sound. 

As usual with an Astral People shindig, the crowd was an eclectic mix of über-trendy mid-twenty-thirty-something, party-loving hipsters with a sprinkle of a couple of golden oldies thrown in for good measure. The UV lighting added a cyber-futuristic touch to the gig while the multi-coloured lasers projected rainbow beams from the back of the room.  

Robert Owens, another of Chicago’s finest house acts, provided the delectable icing to the top of the divine, celestial cake that is an Astral party. The infamous vocalist/DJ/producer/songwriter brought an incredible energy and stage presence very rarely felt in a simple DJ set, and especially one at a venue as pristine and prestigious as the Opera House. He emceed throughout his set with that deeply booming, church choir-like voice and used a singular bright orange headphone with only one channel. 

He spun Orbital’s 1991 classic, Chime, and one of the most quintessential ‘80s Chicago house tracks of his time, I’ll Be Your Friend, released in 1992. Owens is a man who needs little introduction, and one whose tunes will no doubt outshine the test of time.