Words: Lara Pacillo // Main photo: Sam Waddington
Lush is starting 2024 back where it all began — with a dance party on a hill overlooking the cityscape.
On January 1, Lush is hosting a day-to-night party featuring a lineup of local DJ favourites, including DJ Bitcoin, Jess, Late Night Lenny, Matho, Nessy, Benny, Yax, and the mind behind the event, Ruby Lambert.
She paints a picture of what we can expect at her granddad’s property in O’Halloran Hill: a Funktion-One sound system by Inside Out Dance Club, a bare-bones stage, scenic views as a backdrop, the summer sun beaming, and dusty boots dancing.
“I’ve kept it pretty minimalistic — it’s always been a DIY sort of situation,” Ruby explains. “For this one, I’m trying to make it more about the music than anything else. Nothing too extravagant.”
Adelaide-born, Melbourne-based Ruby is a queen in the local electronic scene, having played at parties such as Housing Boom, Sidebyside, and Telesonica, as well as various clubs around town.
Alongside her friend, fellow DJ, and co-creator of Big Large Records, Alex Pickering (aka Maliboo), Ruby brought Lush to life in December 2020.
Despite the challenges of COVID, they decided to throw an outdoor party at the O’Halloran Hill spot, just a 30-minute Uber ride from the CBD.
“I’d always wanted to throw a party there because of the scenery, really,” Ruby says. “I always thought it would be a good place to have a nice little music event. Just a bit of fun and just to let the music do the talking.”
Over the past three years, Ruby and Alex have hosted Lush parties at the hill and at Tennyson Beach, as well as at nightclubs such as Ancient World, Thirsty Tiger, and Sugar, with the focus on great music and great people.
While Alex moved to the UK earlier this year, Ruby is keeping the Adelaide Lush flame alive. The NYD party will see a portion of profits being donated to First Nations grassroots establishment Pay The Rent.
There’s always an emphasis on local talent as is the case this time around too.
“There are so many good local DJs here,” Ruby says. “You don’t need interstate artists necessarily to make it a cool party.”
“For this one, I really wanted to get some fresher faces. Lenny and I are the only ones that are reoccurring on this one.
“I feel like I always have a better time going to something and listening to new music as opposed to hearing the same thing; that’s why I tried to mix it up.”
The party will start at 3pm with slower house vibes and will get heavier as the day progresses. Punters are welcome to bring their own drinks, snacks, and rugs. Water will be supplied, while Ruby highly recommends good footwear.
Whether you’re kicking on after a busy New Year’s Eve or saving the party to New Year’s Day, start your 2024 with a healthy dose of dancing, new music, and the fourth Lush party on the hill.
“I’d love for everyone to have a nice dance and experience some music that they might not know,” Ruby says.
“People can come by and have a fun time — just have a little boogie and a nice start to the new year.”
Lush: from 3pm Monday January 1 // O’Halloran Hill 5158
