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*Vibrasphere's* latest album _'Archipelago'_ was one of the stand out releases for me last year. I have been waiting ever since then to see them live and when I heard they were coming around easter I knew it was a chance I couldn't miss. I had also never been to Prince of Wales before so it was a good chance to check out the venue too.
I got in just on 12 and walked up the stairs to a cosy looking bar area. Since I was broke and driving I had to just watch the other people sip their drinks while listening to some nice breaks and deeper tunes courtesy of *Nic Nac* which reminded me of the James Holden Balance release. The music sounded good but the mixing wasn't quite up to par I thought. The crowd had built up nicely by 12:30 and by 1am we could hear the sound checks in the main room, but couldn't see it. Then the curtain was drawn, the doors went up and the crowd cheered!
*Spiz* got things rolling in the main room while the equipment from the front bar area was whisked away. This is where knowing the venue might have come in handy because I assumed that the front bar area was the side room, and was being dismantled before my eyes, and paper signs pointing to an electro room seemed to be pointing to the main stage! Unfortunately this seemed to be true as the electro influence (which I hate) creeped in to the music being played. Needless to say I was slightly confused at this stage but vowed to fight on. Spiz managed to fit some nice tunes in between the electro stuff, building things up nicely, but again there seemed to be quite a few mixing headaches. Some people would say "who cares, as long as the tunes are good!" Normally I would agree, and it can be a laugh hearing an exceptional trainwreck. But when these people are supposed to be proffessionals, and you are paying good money to see them and they are consistently bad throughout the set, I think it does have an effect.
As is the case with every event, there was the "school dance" factor of people hanging around the edge of the dance floor not wanting to have a go, but by 2am the dance floor had filled up a bit. We were lucky enough to be joined by some recent graduates of the Peter Garrett School Of Dance which was entertaining. After Spiz, it was time for *Thad Lester*. After about 20 seconds I immediately fell in love. He played a great set, opening with a lush melodic tune in the style of Planisphere, which was pleasantly suprising. Some pumping tunes were played including one with some kind of hot-cue like effect and a classic house piano melody that got the crowd going and a tune I recognised from one of the Iboga Records compilations scattered in my room. At about 3am I decided to have a look around. When the front turntables were gone I assumed the side room was closed, but after talking to the most excited and enthusiastic security staff member I have ever seen, I realised that the signs were actually pointing behind and past the main stage, so I investigated. There was some nice driving house being played by *Miss'Chief* in a room slightly smaller than my laundry. It was a shame she was stuck in this little afterthought of an area as she played some nice tunes and was getting stuck into the effects on the mixer and a bit of scratching too. Sometimes you get the idea that the people in the side room are working hard to get noticed, Miss'Chief took this to another level as I've never seen someone need to use a torch to mix records with! After this little excursion it was time to head back to the main floor for the headline act.
While Vibrasphere is a duo, only Rickard was playing, with Robert unable to make international gigs. However it didn't impact on the performance, which immediately made me gush out "WOW". It was one of those moments when you had been waiting for a particular artist and just knew they were going to deliver. Deep lush sounds typical of the _'Archipelago'_ album greeted us before driving beats and percussions came in. The opening tune was fantastic, but then Rickard did an abrupt u-turn. Vibrasphere are coming out with a new, more "experimental" album soon and the second tune was an example of this direction. Unfortunately for me it sounded more like something that would be called "Boxyrox - Yeah Yeah (Vibrasphere Remix)" than what I am used to. Luckily it was the only tune of this style and afterwards it was back to the classic driving pumping trance. Some massive tunes were played and it really felt like this was actual trance, something that might put you in a trance state, especially compared with what is called trance these days ie massive over the top synths with some girl going on about love and taking you higher. Highlights of the set included the Vibrasphere remix of _'Lish - Fresh'_, _'Floating Free'_, _'Seven Days To Daylight'_ and _'Landmark'_. The fun had to come to an end at 5am though, but what fun it was!
After Vibrasphere, *Floattank* was up, with Thad playing again while they setup. The crowd thinned a little but there was still a good amount of people left wanting more. Floattank kept the upbeat vibe going with some great bass lines and was more housey and progressive, and less melodic, than the trance of Vibrasphere. About 30 mins in I was struggling, and after yet another remix of _'New Order - Blue Monday'_ I decided it was time to leave while I was still capable of doing so.
The sound system was good, it was clear and not too loud or distorted. The decor seemed a bit sparse though, with just some decorations on the main stage and a blow-up doll hanging from the roof. The last Hydra party I went to had a guy swimming around in a fish tank (an experience in itself) so I guess I was expecting a bit more than what was here. Two screens of visuals were going which was nice and when Vibrasphere came on we were treated to some lasers. That came out of another blow-up doll's arse. With said blow up doll lying on a cross. Suspended upside down, horizontally from the roof. I guess that makes up for the fish tank?
It was a good night overall, some of the locals were pretty good, and Vibrasphere was great. A nice way to start the easter weekend!
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any chance you could list some of the tunes you played?
