Electronic Beats Festival Vienna 2010

The second instalment of our Electronic Beats Ten Year Anniversary Festival took place last night at a packed Gasometer in Vienna. The four gigantic gas storage tanks from where the locations takes its name flanked the venue and made an impressive setting for a very special party.

As the doors opened and the venue began to fill, the sense of excitement was palpable. An expectant crowd, three killer musical acts and an amazing sound system were all in place as DJ Marflow teased the crowd with a mix of new disco and electronics.

Local trio Coma Cat were first on stage. Their quirky power-pop replete with soaring guitar riffs, rumbling synths and clattering drum machines was the ideal musical aperitif for the night ahead.

The enigmatic Nouvelle Vague then took their turn and instantly got everyone in the party mood. Performing bossa nova versions of new wave classics, their energetic show ensured that the dance floor was packed full for a set that included 'God Save The Queen' ' Sex Beat' and 'Human Fly' as well as songs from their new album, featuring for the first, time covers of French new wave bands.

With strobes and a pounding beat they finished to rapturous applause and a crowd pleasing rendition of Depeche Mode's 'Just Can't Get Enough'. To say they set a high standard would be an understatement - their show was stunning.

A moment or two to catch our breath, and then it was time for our next birthday guests. The Human League fresh from performing new material at the Electronic Beats Festival in Berlin, strode on to the stage like returning kings (and queens!). The crowd responded accordingly and the trio got down to business with 'The Lebanon'.

The following hour shot by in a blur as the pioneering synth band tore through '(Keep Feeling) Fascination' 'Being Boiled' and 'The Sound of the Crowd'. Their new song 'Night People' sounded the equal of anything else in their set, but the highlight for many was clearly their return for an encore of 'Don't You Want Me' and 'Together in Electric Dreams'.

Another short break, and it was time for the final piece of our birthday puzzle. To round off the night in fine style was Róisín Murphy and her new audio-visual DJ / PA. Kicking off with a slamming remix of 'Love Can't Around' by Farley Jackmaster Funk her eclectic and engaging pop culture visuals accompanied her as she sang over the music, at times like a diva, at others like she was in a piano bar.

An anthemic rendition of 'You Know Me Better', was accompanied by Murphy prowling around the stage, teasing the crowd and squeezing every ounce of energy from the dance floor. Her set turned everything up to 11 and then some.

And that was it.

With Róisín Murphy's set over and the house lights coming up, it was time for bed. Or at least it was time to have a well earned drink and reflect on not only a successful party, but ten amazing years of Electronic Beats.

Here's to the next ten!