Tuesday 18 February

Support: Nina Las Vegas

As a lover of hardstyle, techno, and rhythm, getting the chance to see Rudimental live felt like stepping into a time machine. (Does that make me sound old? Maybe.) Back in the day, I’d plug my earphones into a clunky Samsung brick, blast Rudimental and Skrillex before school— (nothing like waking up at 7am to some thick, thick bass) —

my first real dive into the world of bass and techno. Walking into the venue, I quickly realized that I wasn’t the only one chasing that nostalgia. The space was packed with die-hard old-school drum and bass fans and Brisbane’s finest bassline junkies, all ready to relive the glory days.

For a Tuesday, and on a night where Billie Eilish was also performing a sold-out show at the Entertainment Centre, the turnout in Fortitude Valley was quite intimate — but still impressive. 900 people in a 3000-capacity venue, and an audience of generally millennials, the energy was what you would expect for a late Tuesday night, but the audience of bass lovers carried the vibes on through the night. Giant Red LED QR codes lit up the stage, leading the audience to a page where they could share memories and photos from the night. 

I was alone in the photo pit, while another photographer who had been hired by the DJs to capture the evening, shot onstage. Usually when photographing DJ sets, you would go on stage to get closeups, but I was restricted to just the pit. The three-song limit don’t really apply here – DJ sets don’t particularly start or stop. While I struggled with the distance and lack of movement from Rudimental, I can tell the main MC was trying to amp up the audience, occasionally coming front stage from behind their booth, but it was short lived. I decided to join the crowd, enjoying the moment rather than stressing about capturing photos.

As someone who’s typically a fan of hardstyle raves, Rudimental were a lot slower and less heavy than I’m used to, but they were a nice break and a timeless throwback into some nostalgic tunes. 

Lighting and visuals were phenomenal, and dare I say it, the highlight of the night. Animated visuals perfectly matched the atmosphere and accompanied the songs and amplified the drops. Overall, the energy remained steady throughout the performance — neither too high nor too low. There were definitely some standout moments when familiar classics played, and the crowd’s energy boosted the experience. The stunning visuals and timeless tracks created a unique, nostalgic experience. Though the energy was steady, those classic moments and the crowd’s vibe made it a night to remember.

Review and Photos by Jess Asher

Please credit images accordingly.