Even though Vancouverites are health nuts, smoking is still banned in public spaces, and, according to the cute guy that entered me into the Ibiza draw, only 5% of the tabulated population actually smokes, Benson & Hedges are still inclined to hawk their wares by bringing really good djs to our little city. Last Wednesday was no exception. As the third Jet to Ibiza show, Jo Mills, John Acquaviva, and Richie Hawtin were all spectacular, as were the performers.



I got to the Commodore at 21:30, barely half an hour after doors. I was not pleased about arriving so early because empty clubs depress me. However, the kids were obviously stoked about the show because already there was a line up and all the good tables were taken. On stage, Jo Mills was spinning house and instead of seeing a bare dance floor I was amazed to see a bunch of people totally going off (one girl was actually doing cartwheels).



About half way through Mills' set, there was a noticeable change in ambiance. All of a sudden the scantly clad go-go dancers and old-fashioned air hostesses were joined by even more scantly clad boys and girls. There were a bunch of Marie Antoinettes, Carnaval dancers, deviant angels and sexy demons on stilts, all making the Commodore, so quintessentially Vancouver, as Ibiza-like as humanly possible. Dancing to Green Velvet's "Lalaland" was particularly satisfying while being surrounded by such surreal figures.



By the time John Acquaviva came on the dance floor was pretty full. Acquaviva's short set, for the most part, was a convoluted ride through house music. I thought I would end up sitting through his set but it was surprisingly good. What I liked about his set was that he never seemed to stay with one genre for more than three consecutive songs (which was great for me because I don't like vocal house). The mixing was okay, nothing outrageously difficult or innovative as was his choice of music. The best part of his set were the last four tracks (whch included a great track with a very bouncy bass line and hilarious guitar riff which was super fun to dance to) went together so smoothly.



Unfortunately, I think the actual highlight of Acquaviva's set may have been when Richie Hawtin sauntered on stage, wine glass in hand, to take a look at the equipment. The crowd went wild and poor Acquaviva was totally upstaged. However, he would make us wait another thirty minutes before taking his place behind the decks.



Oh, but when he came on stage to play for us, it was so good.



First of all, he is a flawless mixer. The transition from John Acquaviva's set into his was remarkable. In fact it was so good that I became worried that maybe Hawtin had changed musical preferences since I last heard him and was now a house dj (which would have totally sucked since I was totally jonesing for techno). After a few tracks, though, I understood what he was doing. Acquaviva, having played before him, had created the foundation for the evening. Richie Hawtin accepted Acquavivas last track as his first and, from there, even-handedly took us to our final destination (blessed techno). I thought this was a perfect demonstration of Hawtins humility to his art and fellow djs. Instead of dismissing Acquvivas talent and genre he recognized its unique flavour and ability to get the crowd stoked with energy. And, instead of jumping into his style of music, he followed the progression with the utmost care and fluidity.



The transition was complete in about half an hours time. I was glad for this because though I was impressed by his immaculate flow, I felt that some of his tracks seemed to have no soul, like some element of emotion was missing. I wouldnt be able to tell you what soulful techno should sound like but something seemed to lack. Anyways, after the transition was complete the music was solid and his mixing was seamless. The crowd was screaming for more and he happily obliged. The last 45 minutes of his set (including his encore) were amazing and after playing his last track he left us all with satisfied smiles and sore calves.



Sadly, when I looked around while the house lights were gently being brought up, I noticed that most of the crowd had left. Perhaps this was because it was a weeknight but it was a reminder that, alas, even after all the production and great music, I wasnt in Ibiza. Besides that one detail the night was a great taste of what the White Island is like and a reminder that Canada has some pretty awesome talent to brag about it.