2019 marks a decade since Brisbane-based club night Lemon & Lime first began promoting trance, progressive and techno events.
To celebrate the milestone, those involved with putting on Lemon & Lime shows have penned the following tribute to Dan Burke and his team of party aficionados.
“In ten years Lemon & Lime has grown to be one of the most respected event brands in an ever evolving city where clubs and brands come and go.
“Their events have always had a sense of fun and the dedicated crowd has developed into the greatest asset for the brand; they are always up for a party and share their love for fellow partygoers and visiting DJs equally.
“Achieving longevity in any industry takes foresight, vision and passion and over the years Lemon & Lime has broadened its appeal from a trance focus into house and techno, yet still retaining a similar vibe through all artists, and that loyal and passionate crowd.
“As they have gradually taken increasingly more dangerous financial risks with artists bookings, the brand started out as a hive for local DJs and in later years has scaled the heights with acts traditionally only ever considered by the super-clubs such as Dubfire, Sasha, Nick Warren and Hernan Cattaneo. As cliched as it sounds, the parties have provided many with the time of their lives.
“If there was one gig that really placed Lemon & Lime on the international map, it was the secret rooftop party in January 2010 featuring Richard Durand. Lemon & Lime until this point had been steadily growing with a slow burn, but this was the kind of party promoters truly have nightmares about.
“Given it was a residential building, trying to keep the location under wraps was a job in itself with the logistics of transferring equipment alongside 150 people from the Valley Mall to the rooftop during Queensland’s summer season.
“Twenty-four hours prior to the gig, it was raining. Twenty-four hours after the gig, it was raining. But for the gig itself, the rain gods favourably looked down and the perfect gig ensued, with a great atmosphere, great people and amazing music.
“Footage caught by one partygoer featuring Richard dropping Madonna’s 'Music' into Tiesto’s 'Lethal Industry' went viral across Australia and beyond for all the right reasons. The aftermath was incredible as international DJs clamoured for a rooftop party repeat.
“Until this event, Brisbane’s underground dance scene was decidedly pigeonholed – a standard club scene with great techno or great trance and never the twain did meet aside from the odd boat party thrown in here and there.
“But Dan took it that extra step further – he took the music beyond the standard borders of compartmentalised genres and club settings. He developed a knack of selecting names on the cusp of hitting the big time for the Lemon & Lime brand to emerge as a thoughtfully-curated niche party. And it didn’t matter where the DJ sat on the music spectrum; it was about the design of the entire party. That’s what Lemon & Lime has created.
“While watching Lemon & Lime grow, we’ve watched Dan Burke grow both as a person and as a promoter. Dan is a considerate person with a keen analytical mind and is very modest about his achievements.
“He makes a supreme effort and the sense of pride in his work is evident. Achieving ten years is a testament both to the loyal and awesome crowds who support these events, as well as Dan’s consistency and vision.
"Brisbane is now more than ever a destination for electronic artists of all genres thanks to Lemon & Lime. Here’s to the next ten years.”
