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I arrived at Central train station on Friday night at about 6pm. I had heard many rave reviews about these tours and was excited about checking it out for myself. You could spot the Lunacy crew from a mile away, the music was already cranking and there was a group dancing outside the bus. What the...?
First things first. I introduced myself and the driver threw my bags on the bus, but before I could shake hands I had a shot of Vodka thrust at me. Giddy up! The trip down was great, from what I remember, with all inhabitations left in Sydney. This bus ride was crazy: drinking games, good music and an atmosphere that was electric. The Lunacy Crew were leading by example, everyone was really friendly and after only an hour I just knew that I would be in trouble before the weekend was over.
4 shots of Vodka, 5 beers, 2 DVD’s, 3 wombats and a dance off later, we arrived in Jindabyne. It was a long trip but loads of fun... a little too much fun for some at the back of the bus (and you all know who you were!)
A welcome nights sleep...little was I to know that it would be the last lay down I would have for quite a while, We got up early to hit the slopes. Despite being a little hung over, and spending more time on my arse than on the T-Bar, I had a ball.
After a full day on the hill I was buggered. We jumped back on the bus and headed back to Jindy. The bus was very quiet compared to the night before although the "you should have seen how much air I got" stories were flowing thick and fast.
We all went back to our rooms and had to play scissors, paper, rock to decide who got the first hot shower. Arrrrrrrrr what a day. Dinner was at 7pm and I couldn’t wait to get in line: I was staving. Straight after dinner, back to the room. I had a little kindy kip and got up and ready for the reason why I was here: Lunacy!
I got there right on 10pm and the place was empty except for a few die-hard punters that were waiting for the doors to open. First impressions: OOOhhhh... its good to be out of the cold!
Once inside I had a good look around. High ceilings, rave lighting, solid visuals and a quality sound system. Nice. First up on the wheels of steel were Tom Da Silva and Mike McGrath playing back to back. They were having a ball playing some Phat ass house music with big bass lines and some cheeky vocal samples. By 10:30pm there was a line outside and the crowd was really starting to flow.
"Next up were Homegrown, again playing back to back and picking up where Mike and Tom left off. Playing tracks such as Lola’s Theme (Shapeshifter), You in my hut now (Jungle Brothers) and Good Luck (Basement Jaxx) Homegrown soon had the dance floor cranking.
Despite feeling like I was still wearing ski boots and having mental flashes of being on a blue run I was soon dancing along with an assortment of ski bunnies, tourists and locals all of whom seemed to still be wearing ski goggles (ah the ski tan!). The visuals provided by Morph and Spook and were spectacular. I am still not sure how they managed to get it so that it looked like it was snowing inside." - Sam P - Resident Advisor
Mark Dynamix. Hello??? After hearing the Ministry of Sound golden boy busting it out in my loungeroon for the last three years, I was looking forward to seeing him live again. With an instant crown reaction and snowflakes dropping from the ceiling, I was simply impressed.
"Illya was up next and was faultless as always. He did not play his usual deep style but kept it light, funky and quite vocal. I am not sure whether it was the snow or the fact that we were not in a ‘normal’ club but it was obvious that everyone was in a holiday mood - Mark Dynamix started on the bongo drums, Illya sat down and started to play the decks [like Stevie Wonder] as if they were a piano and Tom da Silva treated us to some MCing on more than one occasion." - Sam P
Just when I thought the energy levels were about to drop, the main screen visuals flashed up something about an afterparty. Next thing I knew I was on a double decker bus with the group of people I had been parting with for must of the night at Lunacy. Five minutes later, I stumbled into a completely different venue.
Heading down the stairs. the dancefloor opened up into what looked like a nightclub throwback from the 70’s. Leather lounges and lava lamps were in full effect…but best of all, the left wall of the dancefloor looked over the heated pool. Go naked pool pony racing!
Despite being wired and weary, the pool party, jelly shots, fresh fruit and open fire were absolutely more than welcome. We proceeded to watch the sun come up over the snow-peaked backdrop of Lake Jindabyne.
I write this sitting on the coach on the way home...most people around me are asleep, but as I put down my pen I know I will be back next year...I can genuinely say this has been one of the most enjoyable weekends I have ever been on...cant wait for next year!
Billy K.
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