Athletica Makes Itself Right At Home In Lansdowne Debut

You could have been easily mistaken to think that the crowd inside the Lansdowne Hotel had just been standing outside in the torrential rains and howling winds ravaging the Sydney streets. But by the heat in the room and the pulsing music it was clear that the crowd was glistening with sweat from their dance floor antics.

Athletica presented its first international DJ guest, Ahadadream (London) in its first instalment since its first birthday in January.

Featuring Isa, Adelaide’s Strict Face, and our SURG fave Deepa, the semi-regular party – hailed as a “club night for club music (whatever that may be)” – has long been a showcase of exciting local and interstate DJs purveying energetic jersey, breaks, and club music

The set also marked another first for Athletica: the night’s first foray outside the walls of its Tokyo Sing Song headquarters. It signalled a significant step forward for the event and a sign of exciting things to come.

DJ Isa kicked off the festivities, warming up the crowd with her signature high-octane set. She was followed by Adelaide producer Strict Face with his fresh take on grime, percussion and R&B; and it’s clear why he’s the man putting his hometown on the underground music map. Ahadadream’s blend of Middle Eastern, garage and jersey made for an eclectic and dynamic set that his the mark with the Athletica faithful.

As the dance floor swelled, the energy levels of the waterlogged punters started to decline, lagging behind with the toll of this first return after the silly season.

It was up to the undisputed Queen of SURG – and newly minted host of FBi’s Friday Sunset slot – Deepa to peel their taxed bodies from the floor. She continued her flying start to 2020 with a rare high-tempo set that brought the night to a buzzing conclusion.

Athletica settled right into its new surroundings at the Lansdowne Hotel. The addition of smoke machines and purple strobes complemented its signature crumpled space blanket trim so much that, had I been a newcomer, I would never have guessed this was their Lansdowne debut.

Their regular cast of loyal dance floor fiends abated any fears of losing the (literal) underground aesthetic so typical of their sets at Tokyo. No change of location could deter their trademark energy.

The party has managed to maintain a strong, devoted community of followers who aren’t afraid of destroying their shoes on the dance floor – whether underground at Tokyo, or a hop across town in the Lansdowne.

Just observing these club animals in full flight is well worth the price of admission.

You can catch both Isa and Deepa later this month at Freda’s as they light up the first instalment of SURG’s brand new dance party, High Rotation.

Image Sources: Facebook (Athletica).