Liquid – Thursday December 31, 1992

As 1992 bled into its final hours, Adelaide’s burgeoning rave scene was primed for a New Year’s Eve of unprecedented scale. An event simply called “Liquid” threw down the gauntlet, promoted as a “six-room total entertainment liquid labyrinth” set to completely take over The Le Rox Entertainment Complex. This was no mere party; it was a marathon of sound, light, and sensory overload designed to launch the rave faithful into 1993 with an almighty bang.

Event Details and Countdown

Liquid positioned itself as the only place to be when the clock struck midnight. Promising a sprawling, multi-level experience, it was an all-night affair engineered to contain the entire spectrum of rave culture under one roof, running from the last hours of ’92 deep into the first day of the new year.

• Date: Thursday, December 31st
• Venue: The Le Rox Entertainment Complex
• Duration: 12 hours of non-stop entertainment
• Time: Opening at 9 PM

In the week leading up, a “Liquid Countdown” notice amplified the building hype, warning that tickets were disappearing fast. Promoter “G” put it bluntly: "The amount of tickets left is also counting down quickly so secure your a big event [sic]". The message was clear: the countdown wasn’t just for the new year, but for the last chance to get inside the labyrinth itself.

The Labyrinth Experience: A Tour of the Six Rooms

The “six-room liquid labyrinth” was a masterstroke of rave architecture. In an era where the scene was rapidly diversifying, this was more than a venue layout; it was a strategy. By creating a sprawling ecosystem of distinct environments, the promoters offered a journey, not just a destination. It was a design that prevented sensory burnout and allowed ravers to curate their own night, showcasing the true breadth of the culture—from hardcore intensity to hip-hop cool—all under one roof.

Laser Chamber (Level 1, ex Le Rox)

This was the main arena, the beating heart of the operation. Engineered for maximum sensory immersion, it was the home of the party’s technological centerpiece and featured:

• Tag Team DJs driving the relentless energy.
• The fully customized “Liquid Laser Experience,” powered by cutting-edge “Berserk Technology.”
• A formidable laser rig featuring 2 panels, 6 splitter boxes, colour splitters, and diffraction gratings.
• The main stage, set for the climactic live performance at the stroke of midnight.

Room of Intelligence (Level 2, Le Rox)

Perched above the main floor, this room was a temple of light and visuals. It was designed to mesmerize, boasting a sophisticated array of hardware:

• A “New Concept Pyramid Rig” that dominated the space.
• A dizzying arsenal of trim spots, robo scans, and pure “strobe chaos.”
• Live video monitoring of the Laser Chamber below, ensuring no one missed a beat from the main event.

DJ Jam-Room (Level 3, ‘The Tunnel’)

Tucked away on the third level, this intimate space was a dedicated showcase for the “New Years Best Dance Talent of ’92.” Here, a curated selection of DJs were given the freedom to play their own styles, offering a deeper and more personal musical counterpoint to the main room’s spectacle.

Therapy Drum Room (The Basement)

The basement was transformed into a surreal “Time Warp,” a plunge into pure tactile sensation. This was the place to lose yourself, defined by its wonderfully bizarre features:

• An otherworldly glow from UV/IR fluorescent lighting.
• A sea of 23,000 plastic balls to wade and dance through.

Fun Room (Level 1)

Providing a crucial escape valve from the dancefloor intensity, the Fun Room was a dedicated zone for chill-outs and pure, unadulterated play. Attractions included:

• Free Video Games for a dose of digital escapism.
• A Bouncidrome and Castle Grayskull, tapping directly into the scene’s nostalgic, childlike core.
• Full bar, refreshment, and smoko facilities.

Hip-Hop Sound Lounge (Level 1)

Carving out a vital space for another pillar of street culture, this lounge was all about the breaks and rhymes.

• The legendary DJ Nigel was “in control,” holding down the decks.
• Live performances from “Adelaide’s finest rappers” and the “Finger Lickin’ Good friends.”
• Video monitoring of the Laser Chamber, keeping the lounge connected to the wider party’s pulse.

This intricate maze of sight and sound was set to be animated by a monster lineup of international headliners and Adelaide’s finest local selectors.

Headline Acts and DJ Roster

The musical curation for Liquid was a brilliant fusion of international rave royalty and a deep bench of hometown heroes. With an official policy of “doing it hardcore upstairs and rave’n’retro downstairs,” the night promised a comprehensive journey across the sonic landscape of the era.

Live Performance

Set to take the stage for the midnight countdown was the mighty UK rave act Dream Frequency. They were locked in to deliver a high-octane live performance, armed with their colossal UK Club Anthems “You Make Me Feel So Real” and “Take Me.”

DJ Lineup

An absolutely formidable roster of local DJ talent was assembled to keep the labyrinth’s six rooms pumping for 12 solid hours. The combined lineup was a who’s who of Adelaide’s scene, representing every shade of the dance music spectrum:

• Anthony
• D.M.T.B.
• GET DEM?
• Glacia
• Grooverider
• G-T-B
• HSR
• HUGH-Z
• Madcap
• Maestro
• Metro 2
• Mist-E
• MPK
• P.H.D.
• System AD
• X’CESS

Among the ranks was DJ G•T•B, who, in a profile just before the event, confirmed his slot at Liquid. When asked for his New Year’s resolution, he didn’t mince words, boldly declaring his intent to “conquer the world.”

The Centerpiece Attraction: The Liquid Laser

While the talent was undeniable, the event’s most hyped feature—its technological soul—was the Liquid Laser. This wasn’t just another light show; it was a state-of-the-art weapon of sensory warfare, the same mythical beast of a machine last seen at the legendary “Ege’s ’88” party. It was the star of the show, a spectacle promising to elevate the night into legend.

• Specifications: A 6 Watt water-cooled, twin-head argon laser, a true monster of its time.
• Capabilities: With two emission points, it could shoot beams of light 100 degrees in any direction from each, creating a massive 200-degree arc of vision. Mounted on a rig with 360-degree horizontal and 270-degree vertical movement, it could paint the entire room with moving clouds, complex shapes, and even writing in three simultaneous colours: blue, green, and purple.
• Operational Details: This beast required a dedicated 45-amp current and its own special power supply, a testament to its raw, industrial power.
• Safety and Mechanics: With internal temperatures running upwards of 400 to 500 degrees centigrade, the laser was kept safe by a double-walled, water-cooled tube—a sophisticated system that kept the raw energy contained.
• Value: This piece of futuristic tech was valued at approximately $120,000, a staggering investment that signaled the promoters’ ambition.

Ticketing and Promotions

A savvy, multi-pronged strategy for ticketing and promotion built a groundswell of hype, rewarding the faithful while creating a frantic rush for spots.

Ticket Prices

• Advance: $30 plus booking fee
• Members: $25
• At the Door: 35 (advertised on the flyer as “10+ more at the door”)

Purchase Locations

Tickets were distributed through the scene’s key arteries:

• The Le Rox Entertainment Complex (via the back lane)
• AusTicket outlets (PH. 13 13 14)
• Central Station Records

Free Ticket Giveaway

In a final, brilliant flourish, the promoters ran a contest that was pure 90s. Hopefuls were instructed to call (08) 332-5044 at exactly 11 am on December 24th and “tell us an innovative way to amuse yourself with a liquid.” This playful challenge perfectly captured the imaginative, resourceful, and slightly anarchic spirit of rave culture.