Live Review: Organic Audio - La Di Da

The second instalment of Organic Audio boasts an incredible line-up of Australian/New Zealand artists and DJs from the underground trance and EDM scene. Entering through an alleyway off King Street in the heart of Melbourne, the unassuming venue La Di Da is transformed into an indoor jungle. Combining props, lighting, a laser show, and an unmistakable bass thump, this is the closest you’ll get to a bush doof indoors. The audience certainly fits the bill too – there’s no shortage of dreadlocks or harem pants and there’s a suspicious odour in the air.

The doof is well and truly underway as Animatronix – former metal guitarist-turned-downtempo bass producer – has the crowd in a trance. His smooth mix of trippy samples and wobbly bass displays a uniquely bouncy take on psytrance. Sun:monx take the stage next, featuring adopted Aussie Opiuo on the decks with Austero jamming along on guitar. The dancefloor springs to life as this unlikely duo produce a funky-yet-mellowed-out version of their signature glitch-hop sounds, melding together jungle beats, rasta vibes and just enough dub to ensure everybody in the room bounces in auditory bliss. As Sun:monx’s set draws to a close, Austero removes guitar and steps back to take his place behind the console for a short set of his own. Not unlike the clean, melodic guitar tone he demonstrates when playing with Sun:monx, Austero’s tunes produce an airy, atmospheric feel. Much of the energy is sapped from the dancefloor as it thins out, much to the relief of some punters who welcome this chance to take it down a notch and relax.

The notorious Lubdub follows, mixing sounds from Fred Woller, Yuval Shalit, Marcello Martins, Darcy Davis and Bodh. Their set features more traditional psytrance with dub undertones. With several acts to follow, including Melbourne’s own Closer Apart, Antix (NZ) and Muska, there’s no clear headliner. Organic Audio displays the full spectrum of psytrance in an industrial environment unlike any other.