Live Review: Paces ‘Ship 2 Shore’ Album Launch Party @ Brisbane River

Gold Coast DJ and producer Paces a.k.a Mike Perry knows a thing or two about a great party. He also knows that just about everything is more fun on a boat. With this knowledge, it seems only natural he decided to celebrate the release of his debut album ‘Vacation’ and new single 1993 (No Chill) ft. Jess Kent by bringing his ‘Ship 2 Shore’ boat party to Pacey peeps around Australia. If there was any wonder, it turns out that synth on the high seas makes for one hell of a party.

The exclusive album launch Party Boat was packed with Paces’ friends and long-time fans, all of whom he greeted personally as they boarded. The boat set sail on the Brisbane river at 7:30pm sharp, drifting parallel to the bright lights of South Bank wharf. Warmup DJs were on the decks to get the party started, playing a mix of pop hits that kept the crowd more than happy as Paces mingled with his people. The crowd was divided between the musky heat of the bottom deck and the chilled breeze on the top level of the boat, making good use of the bars on both levels.

“If there was any wonder, it turns out that synth on the high seas makes for one hell of a party.”

It was 9:30 when Paces hit the (DJ) decks, pleasing the crowd with his fresh mix of old favourites, new singles, and remixes of well-loved party tracks. He kicked things off with a few blasts from the past, including Hold It Down ft. Reija Lee, Switch Lanes ft. Tkay Maidza, and On My Mind ft. Youth. His audience of adoring long-time fans loved every minute of it, dancing their hearts out as temperatures rose on the bottom deck.

Paces’ Party Boat served as the ultimate vessel for the ‘Vacation’ album launch, capturing the album’s strong reggae influence and chilled vibes perfectly, and the new singles didn’t disappoint – Paces delivered the best of both worlds, adapting his distinctive electro-pop sound to suit each collaborated single.

The live versions of tracks from ‘Vacation’ had all of the timeless simplicity, infectious rhythms, and addictive synth melodies that Pacey peeps know and love. The album’s first track God Mode went down easily, and it was smooth sailing from there as Perry followed it up with hit after hit from his new album.

“Cafuçu ft. Bonde do Rolê brought a hypnotic Bollywood vibe to the mix, and as the vodka went on pouring, the crowd succumbed to yet another irresistible dance rhythm.”

The bongo and steel drum combination in Work Me Out ft. Rye Rye delivered the first burst of that tropical flavour along with touches of synth to keep things fresh. Cafuçu ft. Bonde do Rolê brought a hypnotic Bollywood vibe to the mix, and as the vodka went on pouring, the crowd succumbed to yet another irresistible dance rhythm.

The harp melody over a synth dance rhythm in Blue ft. Oliver Tank was an unexpectedly cool combination, softening the blow of the beat drop and mellowing out the mood on the boat. Desert, Paces’ collaboration with Australian national treasure Guy Sebastian, was a hit with the crowd loving the vocal effects and simple, unforgettable lyrics.

Saving one of his most popular tracks until the end of the night proved to be a smart move – the anticipation only enhanced the familiar synth of Pace’s 2015 hit Nothing’s Forever feat KUČKA. The beat drop had the boat rocking harder than before as fans began to lose their inhibitions – after all, nothing takes you to another place quite like the combination of alcohol and epic dance tracks.

Paces finished things on a high with his popular new single 1993 (No Chill) feat Jess Kent. He led into the track with a snippet of the instantly-recognisable, couldn’t-be-more-tropical tune Iko Iko just to keep things fresh and different. 1993 (No Chill) enjoyed a warm reception and although the dancing onboard the Party Boat wasn’t quite as smooth as the moves in the music video, a smoke machine and vodka Red Bull had everyone feeling like a bonafide superstar.

Paces has delivered hit after hit over the last few years and thrown his fair share of legendary parties on the side, but if you still need another reason to jump on the bandwagon and join the Pacey Peeps, make it personal. Mike Perry has so much love for his fans that joining his crew is basically the same thing as becoming his bestie.

Read our review of ‘Vacation’ HERE and check out our Gallery HERE