Jigsaw was a significant rave held on Easter Saturday, April 10, 1993, at the Vision Warehouse in Adelaide. Conceived as a landmark event, its primary goal was to reunite the city’s burgeoning rave scene through a large-scale, collaborative production that brought together leading promoters, artists, and a massive audience for a single, unified experience.
The Vision Behind Jigsaw
The creation of Jigsaw was a strategic effort to address fragmentation within Adelaide’s rave community and cultivate a positive, unified cultural moment. As only Adelaide’s second major rave for 1993, it was a crucial event in a scene where, according to organizers, “raves of this magnitude are few and far between.” The event was meticulously planned as a “big show” intended to bring together disparate elements of the scene for a massive gathering that would set a new standard for local productions.
A Collaborative Effort
At the heart of Jigsaw was a powerful partnership between three of Adelaide’s leading rave production teams: Righteous Entertainment, Dance Net, and Instantaneous Productions. These groups joined forces with a clear and stated mission to “re-unite the scene” and “put the problem people aside.” By combining their resources and influence, they aimed to form what was described as a “positive and capable army” to deliver an unparalleled event.
An Event of High Demand
Public anticipation for Jigsaw was immense, with organizers noting that the event was a “big show” with “such high demand.” This excitement was fueled by a robust promotional campaign that included several ticket giveaways, underscoring its status as a must-attend party. Notable promotions included:
- Five complimentary tickets presented by Instantaneous Productions at their Discovery event on Thursday, April 8th.
- Five free tickets offered by The Core magazine through a phone-in competition held on Thursday, April 8th, between 11:00 am and 11:25 am.
This multi-pronged promotional strategy, combining magazine competitions and cross-promotion at other club nights, demonstrates a sophisticated effort to build grassroots excitement and ensure a capacity crowd. This groundswell of anticipation was directed toward a venue that was being physically reinvented for the occasion.
The Venue and Production
The technical production and choice of venue were a direct manifestation of Jigsaw’s unifying ambition. The unprecedented scale of the production was a deliberate strategy by the collaborative teams to make a definitive statement, creating a powerful, shared experience designed to dwarf previous local events and immerse attendees in a complete sensory environment.
The Vision Warehouse Transformed
Jigsaw was held at the Vision Warehouse, located at 20 Adam Street. The space was significantly renovated for the event, ensuring that even those familiar with the venue would encounter a new environment. Planners confirmed that the stage area was being rebuilt to “triple in size” and that its multi-level interior would be unrecognizable to past visitors.
A Sensory Experience
The technical specifications for Jigsaw were designed to deliver maximum impact, combining powerful sound with a dynamic visual landscape.
- Sound: The event featured a “whopping 30K sound system,” a massive setup that was explicitly noted as being seven times larger than the system used at the original “Size” rave.
- Lighting: An advanced lighting rig featured a combination of “mechanical and intelligent effects.” This included a full Samurai lighting show operated by BSS Light and Sound, complemented by intense strobing and “dozens of Scanners.”
- Visuals: The visual experience was amplified by the use of multiple screens and a large-screen video wall, mixing live visuals to enhance the music and atmosphere.
Amenities and Features
Beyond the core production, the event was equipped with a range of facilities to ensure comfort and convenience for the thousands of attendees.
- A dedicated Chill and Couch Area was strategically positioned to provide a comfortable space for relaxation with a clear view of the main dance floor.
- Bar, snack facilities, and a games area were professionally managed by Ayers House Restaurant.
- The venue offered the convenience of an on-site public car park.
This meticulously crafted environment was the stage for a musical lineup curated to represent the pinnacle of Adelaide’s local talent.
The Music and Artists
More than just a party, Jigsaw was conceived as a major platform for Adelaide’s local music scene. The event’s musical philosophy centered on showcasing a diverse lineup of the city’s top DJs and producers, many of whom were set to premiere new and exclusive tracks written specifically for the occasion.
The DJ Lineup
The roster of performers represented a cross-section of Adelaide’s leading DJ talent, ensuring a dynamic and high-energy musical experience throughout the night.
- HMC
- UZI
- BRENDON
- MAESTRO D
- ANGUS
- MPK
- PHD
- PMA
- SCOTT T
The night’s energy was further guided by MCs Jaytex and Maestro D.
Showcasing Adelaide’s Talent
Jigsaw served as a critical showcase for established and emerging local artists. The lineup included proven talents like DJ Scott, a producer whose work on tracks like “Terminator” and “A-Home” had achieved state-wide acclaim and was designed for both the dancefloor and radio play. He was joined by respected figures such as DJ HMC. The event was seen as a launching pad for greater recognition, a sentiment articulated by DJ Brendon, who emphasized its strategic importance:
"it is important for the artists and D.Js to go overseas... this event is the start of that... We need to showcase what talent it has."
Musical Direction and Philosophy
The musical direction for Jigsaw was intentionally diverse and powerful, avoiding allegiance to a single subgenre. DJ Brendon and DJ Angus explained that the sound would not be strictly defined by regional styles like Amsterdam or Detroit techno, but would instead be a powerful, hard-hitting mix. The shared philosophy among the DJs was one of unrestrained performance, with both artists agreeing that "Every DJ will be just going absolutely sick." DJ Angus further characterized the intended vibe as having a “big party atmosphere” that would bring together a “true cross section of different people.”
Exclusive Tracks and Previews
A key feature of the event was the debut of new music created specifically for Jigsaw. DJ Scott was writing a special track for the night, Sydney’s P.H.D. was recording his Jigsaw track just the week before the event, and MPK was preparing two new tracks for his set. To build anticipation, a “JIGSAW TRACKS PREVIEW” was promoted on the cover of The Core magazine, and a radio preview was scheduled to air on Triple J 105.5 FM with host Brendon on the day of the event, Saturday, April 10th.
Beyond this potent musical focus, Jigsaw’s organizers curated additional cultural elements to create a more comprehensive experience.
Beyond the Music
Jigsaw’s ambition extended beyond a traditional DJ-focused event, integrating elements of fashion and post-event programming to create a more holistic cultural experience for the rave community.
Exclusive Fashion from Scarab Design
The event featured an exclusive fashion display by the Adelaide-based Scarab Design. This was not a conventional runway show that would interrupt the flow of the party; instead, it was designed to run continuously so that “there won’t be any breaks in the music,” weaving a visual, stylistic element into the fabric of the rave itself.
The Recovery Party
To extend the experience, the ticket price for Jigsaw included entry to an official Recovery Party. This after-party was scheduled for “straight after Jigsaw” and was free for all attendees, providing a seamless continuation of the community gathering.
These experiential elements underscored the event’s all-encompassing nature, which was supported by clear logistical planning for its expectant audience.
Event Details and Ticketing
Organizers provided clear and concise logistical information to accommodate the high demand for Jigsaw, emphasizing the importance of purchasing tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
Date, Time, and Location
- Date: Easter Saturday, April 10, 1993
- Time: 10:00 pm – 8:00 am
- Venue: The Vision Warehouse, 20 Adam Street
Ticket Information
- Advance Price: $19 plus booking fee
- Door Price: $25 on the night
- Vendors: Tickets were available from Central Station and all Austickets outlets.
Given the immense anticipation and the scale of the production, the event was widely expected to sell out completely.
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