With S.A.S.H having moved from the late Abercrombie Hotel to its new digs of Flyover Bar, we decided to send off Pulse writer Kristen Marconi and S.A.S.H regular to find out how the party is settling into its new home. And what better day than Australia Day with Jesse Rose?
“S.A.S.H for grown ups” was my first impression upon encountering the quiet entrance of 275 Kent St. My cab driver assured me this was the address, though I would never have guessed there was a day party going on inside, until a rather easy on the eye security guard called out, "Looking for S.A.S.H.?" Yes, yes I was. Then I saw the familiar and friendly faces of Charlie and Sean – the always on top of it door legends I know and love. Phew, definitely in the right place! Props to them for handing me a petition to stop Barry O'Farrell's lockouts, too. (It’s worth mentioning that S.A.S.H’s new venue is actually outside the proposed lockout area, but the conscientious in the industry are intelligent enough to know that the scene needs to thrive as a whole if it’s to survive, so well done team for getting those petitions signed.)
Flyover is S.A.S.H’s third venue, initially outgrowing The White Horse and moving to The Abercrombie, where it really found its feet and where you were most likely find all your friends on a Sunday if they were into good music. Some of my favourite sets of 2013 easily came from that famous Abercrombie terrace - Dixon, Heidi, DJ T to mention a few and always the most impressive of Sydney and interstate locals. Promoters Kerry and Matt have also always made sure there was a set for Australian expats on their return holidays to Sydney - Michelle Owen and Claire Morgan being two favourites from memory.
The closing down of The Abercrombie saw us lose a music venue we'd grown to love and had the S.A.S.H faithful fretting over where our favourite Sunday party would end up. S.A.S.H. had to go on, but where? Tight-lipped right up until the end, we were kept on the edge of our seats, waiting, until the announcement came: The Flyover. Where? Never heard of it!
Well this Australia Day weekend I finally became acquainted with the new S.A.S.H digs. It was the third party in the new venue, though you'd think it'd been there for years. The early arriving crowd looked fresh, making good use of the pizza, beer and cider specials for lunch as some much-desired house formed the soundtrack of the afternoon, which you could hear clearly anywhere within Flyover thanks to the new Funktion One soundsystem.
The mostly outdoor dance floor has plenty of room to boogie, with a few seats and tables on the outskirts for those opting to relax and people watch. But it's obvious that most go to SASH to dance off the week and pretend Monday is far, far away. True to the former Abercrombie terrace, there is plenty of space to chill out and catch up behind the decks as well as the option to just get on the dance floor and enjoy. I must say I did both, and Adriano Migliorino played the perfect mid afternoon warm up that took us into Jesse Rose's set, which was nothing short of awesome. It was house, it was legendary, it was so much fun! I've had a lot of fun dancing over the years, but this Sunday I walked in struggling from a huge Saturday, sipping vodka soda that was just barely keeping me alive, though by the time Rose was 15 minutes into his set I'd well forgotten any struggle, or any need for more drinks. Matt Weir followed on with a monster of a set. I've heard Matt play countless times, but hats off to him on Sunday, I'd dare say that was the best.
I have to say that Flyover is much more pleasant to dance at than our favourite sweat box, The Abercrombie. Also those who remember the sometimes treacherous, tiny stairway you had to navigate to get drinks will be happy to know that Flyover’s bar is right where you need it to be – adjacent to the main terrace area. They could do with some more bar staff for when it gets busy, but I'm sure they'll learn that soon enough.
It's your Sunday shenanigans sorted in a gorgeous space to relax and catch up with your mates or get your disco shoes on and dance the day away. Big ups to Kerry Wallace and Matt Weir for putting the research in and locking down an awesome venue. If you haven't checked it out yet, get down there this Sunday. The Flyover is the perfect fit for what I'm sure will be a big 2014.
[S.A.S.H @ Flyover's new hours are 12pm - 12am. This Sunday is headlined by Lee Brinx supported by French/Sydney expat YokOO playing a homecoming set. Details here.]