Questlove, Sydney Harbour, and the funkiest crew in Sydney was such a dope night for everyone. Nights like this are why we love this city.”
Last night was special, DJ Questlove, THE ROOTS legendary drummer, DJ, Grammy Winner and curator of all things soulful, blessed the decks on Glass Island, turning a regular evening into an unforgettable musical lesson for all. Slotted to play for 90 Minutes, he ended up playing the whole night. He was joined by members of his band THE ROOTS who were partying, connecting with Sydney’s music heads.
His set was pure craftsmanship & his ability to mix short, punchy blends with long, soulful builds kept the energy flowing all night.
It was a night that reminded us of the power of live music to bring people together. His musical selections were dope too, dropping everything from James Brown, SOUL II SOUL, MJ, Sade flavoured with heavy funk, SOUL R&B & a touch of Arabic & REGGAE vibes made it a very enjoyable night of music.
As the boat glided through the calm waters of Sydney Harbour, past landmarks like the Opera House and under the towering Harbour Bridge, Questlove spun an exquisite mix of SOUL, JAZZ, FUNK, and HIP HOP that was a perfect soundtrack as we soaked up the beauty of our city at night.
A standout moment came when Gil Scott-Heron’s “Home Is Where the Hatred Is” poured through the speakers, its raw, heartfelt lyrics cutting through the night air. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, the unmistakable intro to Sade’s “Hold On to Your Love” floated in, bringing a moment of pure bliss. The gentle rocking of the boat had dancers literally leaning on each other, creating a beautiful connection.
The night kicked off at 10:00pm & finished at 2:00am, & really felt like a music industry night. The crowd wasn’t just your average partygoers; it was more of melting pot of Sydney’s creative heartbeat. DJs, beatmakers, Producers, and Dancers were out in force, taking a rare night off to vibe with friends, share stories, and decompress after the New Year’s madness. There were fist bumps, hugs, and nods of respect as Questlove weaved his magic, reminding everyone why he’s so well known as one of the craftiest selectors to do it.
A huge shoutout to the Glass Island crew for making nights like this possible. It was our first time on this stunning floating venue, and we were blown away. Week after week, they’re changing the game, running multiple cruises featuring everything from SOUL and HIP HOP to REGGAE and HOUSE.
Their commitment to curating a space where music, culture, and community come together is unmatched.
If you missed last night, don’t sleep on the next Glass Island party. It’s the prime spot for music lovers, and last night proved why. Questlove, thank you for the vibes, the grooves, and the unforgettable memories.
Stay funky, Sydney. ✌🏽
[tweetmeme source=”soulofsydney” only_single=false]An extended performance at the Knitting Factory in NYC late 1999.
