Let’s start off this week with some good news.

While Piknic Électronik Sydney was cancelled, the headliners for its annulled opening party, Detroit techno royaltyJeff MillsandDerrick May, have thankfully found another co-headliner home.They’ll be joined by Secret Cinema, Simon Caldwell, Magda Bytnerowicz, Matthew Lush, Kali, Dave Stuart, Co-Op and U-Khan on Sunday February 7 at Ivy. Highly recommend.

“All you need is ears.” That’s the mantra of Fullpanda, the label behind Russian techno artist Dasha Rush [pictured]. Oh, and she’ll be in Sydney this weekend. Carving a name for herself with hard-hitting solo releases and her LADA project with Lars Hemmerling, Rush is one of the most futuristic (and dark) names in the game. She’s also worked with the likes of artists Inigo Kennedy and Donato Dozzy, and labels Token and Sonic Groove, if for some reason you needed more convincing. It’s going down on Friday January 29 at the Bridge Hotel, with support from XXX, Trinity, U-Khan, Methodix, Matt Lush, Braincellz, Phile, Simon Pinnick, Gabe Fernandes, Sebastian Bayne and Defined By Rhythm.

Weird masks and weird music: that’s what’s coming. For those of you playing at home who are a little lost, it means that Boris Brejcha has locked in a return to Sydney. The lad from the impenetrable High Tech Minimal label is set to give us a serving of curveball techno, so get down with support coming from ZigMon, Shepz, Brosnan Perera, Gunnar Guess, Gav Whalan and Aaron Robins. Go hard and get hungover so you don’t have to put up with Valentine’s bullshit the next day. Saturday February 13 at the Burdekin Hotel.

Guaranteed party of the year: Norway’s space disco king Prins Thomas is returning to our shores. Way back in 2003 the don joined forces with the one and only Hans-Peter Lindstrøm and the scene has never been the same (I say this in the most complimentary way possible), with their labels Feedelity, Full Pupp and Internasjonal releasing some of the best dancefloor floorers (yes, I did just actually say that) about. Saturday March 5 at the Civic Underground, Murat Kilic in tow. Do it.

Tour rumours: we’ve already got a load of Detroit techno talent incoming, but it’s going to continue. You’ll know what I mean in a few weeks’ time.

Best releases this week: OK, this came out last October, but I totally slept on it, and it rules: Matt Karmil’s ‘Moment’ (on Studio Barnhus) has been on constant repeat all week. How you can turn a shitty Fleetwood Mac sample into a floor-filler is beyond me. Also, Moodymann just announced his first commercial mix ever via DJ-KiCKS. Not sure how I feel about it. Tim Sweeney’s set from Sugar Mountain should be uploaded to Boiler Roomany day now – being there in the flesh ruled, but it’ll also no doubt provide the best party soundtrack you’ll hear this year.

Recommended:

FRIDAYJANUARY 29

Dasha Rush @Bridge Hotel

SATURDAY JANUARY 30

Ian Pooley@Burdekin Hotel

Efdemin@Arq

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6

Catz N Dog@Chinese Laundry

DJ W!ld@Civic Underground

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 7

Jeff Mills, Derrick May@Ivy

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13

Hot Since 82@Greenwood Hotel

Trus’Me@Civic Underground

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 14

Nightmares On Wax, Lefto, Mike Who@National Art School

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 19

Omar-S@Civic Underground

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20

Tale Of Us@Greenwood Hotel

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21

Hunee, Mark E, Touch Sensitive, Lovebombs, Adi Toohey@National Art School

SATURDAY MARCH 5

Prins Thomas@Civic Underground

SUNDAY MARCH 6

Jeremy Underground, Sadar Bahar, AndrЗs, Ariane@National Art School

TUESDAY MARCH 15

St. Germain@Enmore Theatre

Got any tip-offs, hate mail, praise or cat photos? Email [email protected] or contact me via carrier pigeon.

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