REVIEW: smalltown Street Rave with Dusky, Marcel Dettmann + SPFDJ

Words by: Sam Owen Photo by: Cooper Fennell

smalltown Street Rave with Dusky, Marcel Dettmann + SPFDJ

Melbourne delivers a typical spring day for Novel’s smalltown just gone. The team were against the changing circumstances from the get go with delayed flights and rapidly changing weather conditions.

Despite dynamic Melbourne weather local legends Emma Renée & Yarra got off to a flying start just before house music royalty Dusky settled in for an afternoon of refined and engaging productions before the crowd were immersed in driving 90’s trance by Serbian born ‘X-Coast’.

The Brooklyn based artist delivered quintessential rave tunes satisfying trends of younger and older generations with driving acid techno bangers before moving into engaging vocal-driven underground tracks to set up for the prolific Marcel Dettmann.

The clouds dawned over the Bolte Bridge as Marcel carefully constructed an underground labyrinth reminiscent of one his infamous Berghain performances. Straight off his flight Marcel built chemistry with the crowd  navigating the changing conditions like a true professional.

Dettmann engulfed the crowd with driving swinging techno while crews and organisers contended with the heartbreaking decision to safely end the event as Marcel settled in. Then the weather swooped in and stole the show.

The lowering of the sound system and partial deconstruction of the stage was not enough for the dangerous winds circling the site before torrential rain came. Festival organisers addressed the crowd directly to ensure everyone could evacuate the area safely.  This also meant SPFDJ was unable to perform her anticipated high-energy set.

The overall experience left attendees and organisers with mixed emotions about what had transpired with the wild weather and the early end. It is always a sad day when music can’t be enjoyed as intended to be.

Looking into 2023, Smalltown returns with an epic lineup in February featuring Sven Vath, Adana Twins and homegrown talent Paris. Now&Again & Novel partnering up to deliver what will be a special day to set up the year.