Kid Koala and RJD2 at Galatos, Friday 21st January 2005

Galatos was just pleasantly full for this late-night followup to the Big Day Out. This little bit of extra dancing space was a welcome contrast to some big events there - for example, any time Trinity Roots or the Black Seeds come to town, you can't move in the Main Room for sweaty stoned bodies.

Local DJ Cian warmed the crowd up nicely, and I'm happy to report that it didn't seem to take long for the diminutive and happy form of Kid Koala took the stage, just after midnight. As far as I was concerned, his set was the highlight of the evening. 4 Turntables and 1 microphone...he burned it up for a good 60 minutes. Mixing Bjork into a snatch of Cypress Hill? Sweet. The Muppets' chickens singing "In the Mood" on a 1976 45rpm vinyl single? Just the fun side of indulgent. Juggling two versions of Henry Mancini's "Moon River" and scratching over the top? (at least I think that's what he was doing) Genius, and the crowd loved it.

Kid Koala (not at Galatos)

Nobody seemed to mind the extensive banter between his party tricks, and Mr Koala did it all in such a nice, modest and, well, Canadian way. I had first heard/seen Kid Koala on a Canadian public service show on NZ TV about seven or eight years ago, and was pretty impressed then, so it was a special experience to finally see and hear what he does live.

RJD2 then took over and if anything, his set seemed to be more conventionally danceable. I have to confess I spent a good period of his set outside talking to people, but this wasn't because he wasn't any good. He certainly was moving the crowd inside the venue. The evening was rounded off with KK and RJD2 together on the four decks, trading beats and scratches - it was very clear that by this stage the pair were just goofing off, having some fun before they caught their 6am flight to Australia. If these two were tired after their earlier efforts playing for the 40,000 people at Big Day Out, they didn't show it. The crowd had been treated to a couple of hours from two of the world's best turntablists, and for the most part these punters didn't leave the venue disappointed.