Off The Record

Up for a nostalgia kick? Take a trip back to the late noughties whenAeroplane[above] returns to Sydney later this month.

Back then, the Belgian duo of Stephen Fasano and Vito De Luca were at the highest of heights (geddit?) in the nu-disco movement alongside the likes of Classixx, The Swiss and Grum. Since then, De Luca has been flying solo (geddit?!), having recently remixed the likes of Justin Timberlake’s ‘Suit And Tie’, Mystery Skulls’ ‘Paralyzed’ and Charli XCX’s ‘Boom Clap’. Enjoy your journey on Saturday March 26 at Cargo Bar. Check in, have your ticket ready, please do not bring any unnecessary baggage. Your co-pilots for the evening will be Set Mo, The Backhanderz, Kormak, Kara, Mash Posse and All Friends Crew.

It’s been over six bloody years since Dennis Ferrer performed in Sydney, but thankfully the New York stalwart has locked in an intimate club show taking place next week. The Grammy-nominated producer has one of the deepest knowledge banks in the game when it comes to house music, and has been released on the likes of Defected, Toolroom, Strictly Rhythm and Get Physical. Don’t wait another six years to see the don; he’s currently in high demand for the biggest clubs and festivals around the globe. Catch him on Thursday March 24 at Civic Underground, supported by Kato, Persian Rug, Tyson Bruun, Lachie Simpson, Elijah Scadden, Harry Sanger, CD INC, Bronx, Tailor and Jackson Winter.

OK. I’m not going to go into too much detail again because I gush in this column every time the Berlin-via-Melbourne DJ and producer finds time to swing into Sydney, but just so you know, Francis Inferno Orchestra will return on Saturday April 2 at the Burdekin Hotel. Support comes from Dreems, Dave Stuart, Charades, Oscillate Darkly, Sheeeen and Josh Verdi. He’s about to jet back overseas so this’ll probably be your last chance to see him this year. Highly recommended homegrown talent.

Some other killer local talent – one of our finest names Michelle Owen will play a headline show this weekend. Counting the likes of luminaries Chez Damier, Graeme Park, Ashley Beedle, Ian Pooley, Sasse and DJ T in her fan base, Owen has released on the likes of Moodmusic, Exploited and Dirt Crew, and has performed around the globe at Panorama Bar, Snowbombing Festival and 360 Bar alongside hosting her own quarterly event at Watergate in Berlin. She’ll come flanked by Charles, Philip Kanis, Jac Frier and Kaiser Waldon on Saturday March 19 at Civic Underground.

Tour rumour: Canadian duo Bob Moses just made their Essential Mix debut; don’t be surprised to see a visit from them soon.

Best releases this week: alright, we finally have our first guaranteed top ten full-length of the year in Dorisburg’sIrrbloss (on Hivern Discs). It is, quite simply, phenomenal cosmic techno. I can’t turn the closer ‘Cirkla’ off repeat. Other highlights include Wolfey & Project Pablo’s Jervis Pump Station (Church) and Inhalants’ Deep Florida (L.I.E.S. 070). Also, if you’re in need of some warm-up inspiration for his gig this week, Soichi Terada has just released a killer podcast over on Resident Advisor.

Recommended:

FRIDAY MARCH 18

Bondax @Oxford Art Factory

SATURDAY MARCH 19

Soichi Terada@Jam Gallery

Michelle Owen@Civic Underground

Mr. Ties, Tom Of England@Imperial Hotel, Erskinville

Pepperpot@Burdekin Hotel

THURSDAY MARCH 24

Dennis Ferrer@Civic Underground

SATURDAY MARCH 26

Vril@Burdekin Hotel