Before penning this review, I covered myself with excessive amounts of research on trance music and Tsuyoshi Suzuki. I was confronted by just how extensive music genres can be, and struck by how much chuck of amazing artists I have been missing out on. Most of all, I found fascinating the collaborations and connections in the trance music circuit across the globe, which was a realm I was previously unfamiliar with.
After his April shows in Australia April were cancelled, finally the man is back; Tsuyoshi Suzuki, a world well-known electro/psychedelic trance musician from Japan. Suzuki fell in love with trance music back in the day, when he was cruising and partying between Tokyo, Goa and Koh Phangan. In 1994, after moving to London, he founded a record label named Matsuri Production with John Perloff, which became home to many electro and trance musicians.
Leading up to his earnest involvements and contributions to trance music, his importance was affirmed when Issey Miyake, one of the world’s most influential fashion designers, took him onboard for his 1997 catwalk in Paris. From there, Suzuki continued working on his solid productions, and has now become one of the central figures in psychedelic trance music.
Tsuyoshi Suzuki seems to have a profound love for Australian audiences, having made many returns to the land down under, excitingly including tonight! Tsuyoshi, in cooperation with local talented trance musicians, are about to blow everyone away.
It was my virgin visit to Room680, where a long list of well-respected, both national and international electronic artists have played before. Passing through the dark hallway before going up onto the open-air lounge, the structure seemed to me like a surreal sort of maze. Straight up at the front is the main room, furnished with oversized photo frame couches and surrounded by the dance floor. Disco balls of different sizes hover from the ceiling, all circling around a most-impressive illuminated sphere, wrapped around the centre by an umbrella.
I passed through the entrance just before midnight, and there were only a few others scattered throughout the club. A gentle yet infectious set by DJ Benza and Andrew Till started the night well, but I did not expect the enormous storm that was about to go off soon.
Tsuyoshi Suzuki calmly walked around the room before his set, looking nice and relaxed. Seconds later, however, he was mixing and dynamiting the room up. The crowd erupted as he took over the decks, finishing up Andrew Till’s previous track very nicely. Making a gesture to the crowd as he threw his tracks straight in, Suzuki simply forced me to dance over the next two hours; I couldn’t fight it, and neither could anyone else.
Prominent bass beats pounded up between 130-150 BPM throughout the entire set, and there wasn’t one second of boredom. Suzuki had stated in an interview prior to tonight’s show: “I spend so much time and effort to select my tracks”, and it certainly showed. As a DJ who has played some of the biggest festivals worldwide, including Berlin Love, Earthcore, and Fuji Rock Festival, Tsuyoshi Suzuki easily dominated the room. As he finished off the last track, the crowds surged toward him, firmly grabbing his hands in a massive gesture of thanks for the great music.
It was 4 AM when Tsuyoshi handed the stage over to DJ Ozzy. Only an occasional clubber, staying awake until this hour after two hours of full-on dancing were enough to wear me down. I was half asleep and had my eyes closed even as DJ Ozzy dropped down some truly amazing tracks onstage; I finally realised it was time to call it a night after someone came up to ask me if I had taken too many drugs.
In any case, Tsuyoshi Suzuki once again proved his ability to rock the crowd, reaffirming his dominant position in psychedelic trance. Thanks for the memorable night, and we will be waiting for your return, Tsuyoshi!
Ray Tsai
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