Dangerous Goods XXL
TSUNAMI.
There’s no other way to start this chronicle. Not only because of the rain falling over Sydney that day, but because of what was happening inside Carriageworks.
Dangerous Goods XXL arrived as a preview of what’s coming next in Melbourne, and if this was just the warm-up, expectations for January 24 are already high.
Dangerous Goods has been building its name through carefully curated electronic events, and this Sydney date worked exactly as that: a first taste.
A German–Australian line-up with five artists sharing the stage from 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm in what quickly felt like a full-on overload of sound and energy.
The main drawback of the day was the short set times. With five acts on the bill, some performances barely had time to develop. Considering ticket prices — from $136.90 up to $268.90 for VIP On Stage access — the feeling was that a longer night wouldn’t have hurt.
Carriageworks was well set up, with different food and drink areas spread across the venue. Prices were standard for a Sydney event: soft drinks from $5, beers around $11.50 and cocktails reaching $15.
Kaya opened the day, diving straight into hard techno territory. Dark, fast and straight to the point, her set worked as an effective opener. It’s always good to see more women gaining space in the techno scene, although her short slot felt more like a teaser than a full statement.
Moritz Hofbauer followed, bringing a more melodic and structured approach. His live setup added an extra layer to the performance, both visually and sonically. Progressive builds and steady basslines kept the floor moving, making his set one of the most consistent of the afternoon.
Pretty Pink introduced a different pace. Her set leaned into melodic and atmospheric sounds, focusing more on flow than impact. Transitions were smooth, and the session felt clearly thought out, offering a breather without losing the crowd’s attention.
The two most anticipated names of the night were clearly Boris Brejcha and Timmy Trumpet, and the crowd made that obvious from the moment their slots approached.
As soon as Boris Brejcha stepped on stage, the room changed. Masks started to appear across the crowd, phones went up, and all attention locked onto the stage. The German DJ, known for shaping his own lane within techno through high-tech minimal and for never showing his face behind his iconic carnival mask, received one of the loudest reactions of the day.
His set moved through different moods. While many expected a more restrained approach, Boris played with dynamics, introducing faster and more intense moments without ever losing the melodic edge that defines his sound. Tracks like Captain Nemo, Another Dimension and Himmelblau stood out, but more than individual songs, it was the flow of the set that pulled people back in. Anyone stuck in bar lines, bathrooms or lingering at the back quickly made their way forward, drawn back into the centre of the room.
Closing the night was Timmy Trumpet, and from the first second it was clear he was playing at home. Trumpet in hand and wrapped in the Australian flag, Timmy delivered exactly what people expect from him: big-room energy, constant interaction and a strong showman presence. His live trumpet moments cut through the set, giving it that unmistakable signature that has turned him into a global electronic icon.
Tracks like Freaks and references to his collaborations, including The Underground with Hardwell, landed hard with the crowd. There was a sense of familiarity, but also appreciation — especially knowing that Timmy recently announced he will be taking a break from touring after what he described as the toughest year of his life. Without going into details, he addressed the importance of mental health and asked for understanding from his fans, a moment that felt honest and well received.
Despite his international career, it was clear that playing in Australia still means something to him. The connection with the crowd felt natural, and the energy never dipped until the very end.
Dangerous Goods XXL in Sydney worked exactly as intended: a preview. A short but intense introduction to what’s coming next. And if this was only the warm-up, all eyes now turn to January 24 in Melbourne, where Dangerous Goods will take over Footscray Park with its biggest edition to date. With thousands of tickets sold before even announcing the full line-up, and a production that promises multiple themed stages, large-scale visuals and a carefully curated musical journey, 6XXL Festival is shaping up to be a key date on the Australian electronic calendar.
Sydney got a taste. Melbourne is about to get the full experience.
Thanks to Dangerous Goods, TEG Live and Carriageworks for having us along
Review & Photos by Ester Lozano for Music Festivals Australia
