While many nursed Sunday hangovers acquired in Manly pubs the night before, just a few streets back and obscured from the view of passersby, The Box was taking shape. The warehouse was buzzing from midday, as artists transformed the industrial space into a performance hub for fourteen Sydney-based acts to gather and network through a mass musical showcase. Instigated by a collective of Northern Beaches musicians, the Cabinjam event was the product of their combined passions for strengthening and expanding the artistic community.

By the time Anika Birkman took to the pallet-built stage, the crowd was packed tightly. After lulling us with sweet melodies and strummed guitar, the first string of bands ensued. The Box’s opening half had soundwaves in all forms: the Graceful Wake kicked off with gutsy vocals, wah-wah jams and grooving sax, before a stripped back set from B had the singer-guitarist frontman crooning heartfelt lyrics over energetic drumming. Four-piece indie rock outfit Little Coyote followed with an incredibly tight and animated set, before a yet-to-be-named band built intricate textures with layered vocal and guitar loops, eerie violin and open drumbeats.

Tiered across the room, a wide eyed audience displayed incredible attentiveness and respect to the performers. Silent rows of figures stood bordering a pool of cross-legged gazers, all mesmerised by the stage. Numbers swelled however, and when Castle Drumming led us into intermission, any remaining floor-sitters were on their feet. Hypnosis transformed into wild energy as a massive drumming circle erupted,  blurred hands pounding vigorous rhythms to the throb of dancers as the sun disappeared outside.

After reconvening with newly made friends, with collaboration ideas brewing and a few more drinks, everyone was pumped for the second batch of artists.

Round two kicked into gear with a joint performance by hip hop poets Decyfer Us, Nonne MC and Baskiat. These guys had the crowd pulsating as they threw down verses with smooth, unfaltering flow over layered beats. Shifting the pace, Suns of the Universe rock-n-rolled 60s style to octavated guitar riffs, heavy drums and gruff vocals. The Moonlight Cowboys kept these vibes flowing, adding touches of country and psychedelia to instigate one helluva hoedown. In a standout set, The Dinlows’ sweaty frontman spat manic vocals amid Cat Empire-esque jams on trumpet, sax and trombone, and the horns thankfully returned for one last blast in the final set. Smaal Cats’ singer picked up where The Dinlows left off – crooning, wailing and thrashing his way through a heartfelt performance alongside wild drumming and catchy bass hooks.

Laying the finishing touches on an eclectic lineup, DJs Nemo and Marley led the night to its bittersweet end. Nemo hypnotised us with washed out, dreamy synths, atmospheric samples and chilled percussion before Marley wrapped up the night with a beat-driven set. Echoes of his deep house grooves had the last standing Boxers dancing all the way home, knowing that after the event’s massive success, this would be the first of many to come.

For more information on Cabinjam events like The Box, head to: facebook.com/cabinjam

Featured image credit: Indoor Kite Collective

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