It’s time again for city kids to go bush and get weird, because one of Australia’s favourite festivals is here again: Rainbow Serpent. This year’s highlights include German scarf-guy Robert Babicz, French retro-futurist Vitalic, veteran Croatian techno-ponderer Peter Dundov, German acid-house workhorse Bloody Mary and a whole rainbow-load more, ticking off just about every electronic genre under the sun. It’s completely sold out with a waiting list for last minute tickets, so if you don’t have one it’s pretty unlikely you’ll find a ticket at this point. But do not fear, as always, there’s plenty to do in Melbourne.
On the public holiday eve – Thursday January 25, the international party series Circoloco is back and taking over The Bottom End. Along for the ride is a god damn monster lineup of locals and internationals: minimal-tech aficionado Dubfire, Lebanese-Nigerian techno-brute Nicole Moudaber, Apollonia, Art Department, Henry Saiz, Clive Henry and locals: B-Tham & Kazuki, Bec Grenfell, Ben Nott, Brownbear, Chriss Mattò, Eddy Wells, Etwas, Joram Flynn, JPA, Le Bruh, Market Memories, Matteo Freyrie, Mha Iri, Richie Carrera, Steve Bleas, Steve Ward, The Journey, The Regulators and Viktor. Blimey. Kicks off at 10pm, tickets are still available.
For something more house-orientated, check out Footnotes at Lounge, featuring the eclectic selections of Adelaide DJ/Producer Mic Mills. Mills is one of the faces behind the legendary Adelaide-born house label Untzz.and the Big Doint series. Never explicitly bound to one genre, the powerhouse collective has been responsible for providing some of the biggest and classiest slammers this side of the sun. He’ll be joined by DJ Sarah, After Midnight Limonata and your hosts Oliver Francis and Kaya Kalpa. Free Entry.
Over at Loop Bar on Thursday, synthwave night Laser Highway are taking over. This month they’re hosting the vinyl launch for the new compilation Turbo Quest!, put together by one of the hardest working people in synthwave, SelloRekT /LA Dreams. Djing for the night will be Hysteric, DJ Phillips Head and the bossman Zerotonine.
At Hugs&Kisses, Bizarro present London-based selector Bradley Zero. DJ, radio host, founder of Rhythm Section and International Black, host of a twice-monthly dance congregation in South London, a fortnightly show on NTS Radio and part of the original Boiler Room team. Bradley Zero is a true jack of all trades. He’s playing from kick-off to stumps so be ready for a soulful sounds sesh.
On Friday night, it’s time to let off some steam on the south side as Konnekt’d are throwing down at Revolver. From midnight you’ll be copping muscular techno from Sly Faux, Hyper Binary, Jackson Ruan, Concealed and BLK KVR. As always at Revs, it goes right through ‘til 7am.
Over at New Guernica on Saturday night, Robert Babicz will be heading back from Rainbow early to give you all a taste of his live-set in a more intimate setting. Babicz has been redefining the boundaries of electronic music since the early ‘90s. Simpler times performing acid house as Rob Acid spawned an expansive career as a highly-sought after producer, live performer and studio wizard infusing technical perfection with deep emotion. Apparently, epic scenes were witnessed last time he was here, so get down to Guernica from 10pm.
