Even with a trademark flick of the FISHER wrist, this larger-than-life Aussie surely couldn’t have imagined the height of his own ascendancy as he looked out on an iconic London sunset. Headlining the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old Royal Naval College, the big Fish was plonked in the Thames, rippling through the murky waters of tech-house, where he has – undoubtedly – risen as the genre’s King. For many DJs, the chance to perform at such a venue is rare… Of recent memory, only ANYMA’s forthcoming set at the Great Pyramids of Giza, or Nina Kraviz’s sophisticated techno spectacle within the Tour Eiffel can offer a rivalling landscape…
Step forward, Labyrinth Events, who, in the face of Printworks’ 2023 closure, are offering LDN ravers the chance of aesthetic pastures new in the UK Capital, centring around a six-part Summer series at the architectural centre-piece of Greenwich. Fresh from the success of Black Coffee to the 17th century site, it was FISHER’s chance to serve up an extra large frappuccino of filthy beats and in-your-face pizzazz in a way that only he can. Whilst so much of the dance industry is now criticised for ‘low personality’ in an era where the minimalist Gen Zs have adopted a policy of understated simplicity compared to their emoji-happy Millennial rivals, the boundless energy of this GRAMMY-winning Queenslander has proved the most refreshing of tonics during his 8-year career to date as a solo artist.
Here, on the banks of ol’ Blighty, the big FISH, clad with suitably appropriate bucket hat during the glorious return of ‘the Oasis era’, was once again at his dazzling best, delighting the rabid crowd with an arsenal of hits including his anthemic rework of Bob Sinclar’s ‘World, Hold On’, and ‘Somebody’ featuring Gotye and Chris Lake. But beyond his obvious talent for production, perhaps the shining light of the Gold Coaster’s moment in the spotlight of the London skyline, was his very obvious and constant lust for life and infectious sense of humour. In a world where the enthusiasm of ‘I can’t believe this is my life’ style gratitude, and effortlessly ‘looking cool’ rarely straddle, FISHER somehow manages to tow the (hook), line (and sinker).
Working in a range of kickdrum wubs from his own CATCH & RELEASE label, including Chris Lorenzo’s ‘Appetite’, (the opener to his recent Tomorrowland mainstage set), the wonder-from-downunder even found time to flap those fishy fins towards ‘Take It Off’, every decibel an oozing squeeze of seductive sauce to the London crowd, and – of course -a cacophony of fireworks on his ‘Losing It’ finale (With more than half a BILLION streams attached to 2018’s hit of the year, it would be rude not to, right?!). When he’s not busy flying down from the ceiling on viral Tiktoks of his UNVRS Ibiza residency, or tending to his young daughter Bobbi (who might just be the cutest child to ever exist), the 39-year old is – on the evidence of this event – smashing his way to what will be an undoubted rise on his ranking of number #8 in last year’s DJ Mag Top 100 poll. If he wasn’t so damn likeable, a small element of jealousy might start to creep in. But, instead, to use a slogan from the man himself… “WE F*CKIN’ LOVE IT!”