Friday the 13th, unlucky for some – but for those who were at Trinity Bar last Friday evening, the night couldn’t have been any better.
It’s the second time that Bag Raiders have graced Trinity Bar with their presence, and anyone who attended their last show would know that they pack a serious punch in their live sets. I won’t lie; I am quite a fan of Bag Raiders myself, so my expectations for this gig were dangerously high – and I’m happy to say the talented duo did not disappoint.
Quite the eclectic bunch; the Bag Raiders’ fans started to fill up the bar at around 11.00pm, and as temperatures dropped to a chilly 3 degrees outside, Trinity Bar was steadily heating up.
Support act and Trinity regular; Offtapia took to the decks and began spinning some funky remixes of triple J favourites; such as Beni, Lykke Li and Joe Goddard. This suited the energetic crowd perfectly, who seemed eager to get down to the artfully mixed tunes; each song complimenting the last as Offtapia transitioned from genre to genre without missing a beat.
Offtapia’s set was a big start to the evening. The bar was packed; the dance floor was pumping and the windows were dripping with condensation. ‘Warming up’ the crowd would be an understatement of his efforts. He had them dripping in sweat and hyped up for a night of serious dance music.
Just when I thought things couldn’t get any hotter or crowded on the dance floor, Bag Raiders emerged by Offtapia’s side and smoothly acquisitioned the decks: The crowd exploded. Blinded by lights and deafened by approving squeals, I was pushed towards the decks as the crowd surged forwards, eager to get up close and personal with the talented duo that is; Bag Raiders.
They kicked off their set with their signature classic house music, with deep bassy undertones that reverberated through the club. The crowd’s response to the 2010 hit; Snake Charmer was immense. Arms were flailing high and bodies were writhing and tangling, not quite like a snake being charmed; but rather a snake pit caught under a spell of hypnotic bass and beats.
However, nothing will top the massive reaction Bag Raiders were treated to as they launched into their successful club favourite; Shooting Stars. The crowd was sent into a frenzy, and I honestly couldn’t tell who was having more fun, the duo jumping and dancing on stage behind the decks; or the crowd on the dance floor; singing and shaking approvingly.
The time had almost come for Bag Raiders to bid Trinity adieu, but before they took their leave; they whipped out one last treat for the Canberra audience, and blasted us all with their much loved hit; Sunlight, ending the night on a high and memorable note.
As Bag Raiders gave up the decks, a surprise act took their place; and the crowd was treated to the Disc jockeying talents of local favourite; Peking Duk. This surprise finale topped off the stellar evening of house-music with some harder hitting dance tracks; in what was surely Canberra’s hottest bar on that cold Friday the thirteenth: Unlucky for some – unforgettable for others.
Photography by Chris Whitfield
