It's Australia Day Eve (25 January), it's hot as hell, and thousands of thirsty Brisbanites are looking to cut loose.
Sunnyboys are at The Tivoli Theatre and Foo Fighters' brand of bro-rock is across town at Suncorp Stadium, meaning Fatboy Slim, aka Norman Cook, has some big-hittin' competition for the collective attention of Brisbane's gig-goers at Electric Gardens Festival at The Marquee at Brisbane Showgrounds.
The question of whether Cook is able to top his triumphant performance at The Riverstage exactly two years to the day (click here to read that review) is another uncertainty hanging over the gig; that was a hell of a show.
Needless to say, the night proves to be business as usual for the EDM renegade master complete with a typical array of hits, mesmerising visuals, tantalising sonic snippets, air horns and high energy.
After sets by Tim Fuchs, Motez, MK and Gorgon City, panic sets in at the drinks line when 'Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat' kicks off a couple of minutes before the slated 8:30 start time. After ten minutes of high-quality Fatboy, however, the party is well-and-truly underway.
From here, the master is in control of his disciples. Brief blasts of 'Eye Of The Tiger', 'Seven Nation Army' and 'Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine' get huge responses, as do 'Renegade Master' and 'Star 69'.
Two years ago it was Bowie featuring in a brief minute-or-so tribute, and this time it's Prince; the Purple One's image on the big screen is a nice touch.
Much like Foo Fighters were probably doing over at Suncorp, Fatboy drops some Queen into his set with a bit of 'Radio Ga Ga', as the audience claps when he demands it. It's not quite Freddie at Live Aid (nothing is), but it's a lot of fun.
By 9:50pm another hit is well overdue, and 'Praise You' does the job evoking an atmosphere somewhere in the region of bedlam. It only takes 'The Rockafeller Skank' mixed with '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' to put the icing on this sweaty, leg-weary cake.
