The Bakery
Friday, January 9, 2015
Skism (popularised as SKisM) should require little introduction to most bass music fans. A true pioneer of the industry for half a decade now, intertwining energetic multi-deck sets with a behind the scenes workload to promote the scene, has seen the Londoner toasted as one of the better DJs in the world and as one of the more influential players of the EDM game. Skism is the head of the infamous Never Say Die record label, featuring some of the more exciting bass artists currently rising to fame such as Zomboy, Must Die!, LAXX, Megalodon, Bar9 and the list goes on. This puts him in a unique position of travelling the world in possession of one of the more treasured USB sticks in EDM, frequently filled with the unreleased workings of himself and his entourage of ground-breaking selectors.
Presumably a big fan of the Australian summer and sun, Skism refers to Perth as a trip to his second home, returning at this time of the year for the third year straight, having played the Origin New Year’s Eve festival in 2012 and the after party for said festival in 2013. Not featuring in that capacity this year allowed for the possibility of a more intimate and showcase of a performance. With that in mind, the choice of the Bakery as a venue was superb. Ever since Big Ape hosted Canadian Trap artist Grandtheft at the Bakery in July of 2013, I had been wishing the stage would be used to host more EDM events that are traditionally hosted in more cramped and less open air clubs. Whilst the volume and quality of the audio are slightly hindered, the huge amounts of space not only allow for the free flow of movement, but also create the incomparable atmosphere that only a chaotic chasm in front of the DJ filled entirely with rinsing devotees can bring, and all whilst maintaining enough intimacy to welcome the obligatory stage jumpers.
Inhibit were kind enough to line up a selection of Perth’s best dubstep showing for support, raiding the popular bassment roster for Blackfoul and Equation to supply the dubs, as well as the ever reliable JD4D and Killafoe to bring the heat raising bass. Skism’s set was nothing short of his explosive best, delivering a feast of double drops and unheard material that would’ve satisfied any avid connoisseur. Utilising some of the best new bass music released in the past year, highlights from the set included Zomboy & Must Die!’s huge collaboration, Survivors, 501’s Crystallize, the Knife Party trap switch up Boss Mode and Eptic’s The End. Spilling inevitably over time due to popular demand, Skism ran one last unreleased monster and then the dust was allowed to settle on the floor of the Bakery, released from the vibrating vice-like grip of Skism.
JOSH LLOYD
