Techno Legend Jeff Mills' Sydney Set Recreates 'Mythic' Tokyo Mix

For the first time in nearly 25 years, Detroit techno architect Jeff Mills returned to Sydney, delivering a marathon performance at the Sydney Opera House on Friday, May 22. The show was an Australian exclusive, celebrating his legendary 1995 three-hour set at Tokyo's Liquidroom nightclub, a performance now spoken of in hushed tones as a benchmark for progressive techno.

Mills, known as 'The Wizard,' mixed over 200 records during the iconic set, weaving in many of his own tracks fresh from the studio. He utilized unique formats like 14-inch copper acetate records, which played at double the volume of wax, to create explosive moments and make the audience 'scream,' as he recounts in a documentary about the set.

His signature track, 'The Bells,' created in just a few hours, was featured in the performance, just as it was in the original Tokyo set. Mills' previous visits to Australia include his jazz-electronic project in 2024 and a collaboration with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in 2016. This Vivid LIVE performance emphasized his pure vinyl DJing skills, eschewing digital aids for lights, lasers, and a smoke machine.

The Liquid Room Mix, though previously released on CD and cassette, had never been officially available digitally until now, solidifying its mythical status among fans. Vivid LIVE is the Sydney Opera House's annual contemporary music centerpiece, part of the larger Vivid Sydney festival.