This May, Club 77 celebrates 28 years of independence, sound, and late nights in Eora. To mark the milestone, the club is rolling out a month-long program that reflects its essence: a tight-knit mix of legends, longtime locals returning to the booth, boundary-pushers, emerging voices, and the residents who keep the heart beating, all here to celebrate where it’s been, and where it’s headed next. Across lockouts, shifting subcultures, and the city’s changing pace, 77 has evolved without losing what matters: a commitment to sound, community, and holding space for artists and dancers to grow slowly, intentionally, and close to home.
The May program kicks off with a landmark moment: the long-awaited return of Bang Gang, the iconic six-piece collective who helped shape the sound and spirit of Sydney’s electro era. Known for their fearless selections, chaotic energy, and early-internet-era influence, the crew reunites for a one-night-only takeover, joined by special guests, for the first time in over a decade.
A collective synonymous with the colour, chaos, and cultural imprint of 2000s clubbing, Bang Gang helped define the sound and spirit of a generation reshaping Sydney’s dance floors and leaving a legacy that still resonates. At the centre of that story is the late Ajax, whose vision and drive were instrumental in shaping both the group’s identity and the era’s sound. His presence will be deeply felt on the night. Reflecting on their formative Friday night slot at Club 77, Dangerous Dan shares:
“It gives me this kind of excitement that’s hard to explain — not nervous or anxious, just that fuck-me-this-moment-can’t-come-soon-enough kind of excitement. The Club 77 crowd has always been there for one reason — to dance. It’s dark, it’s loud, and you can’t really talk much anyway. But they know what’s up. That’s my favourite kind of crowd. And what I’ve missed most? AJAX.”
As a founding member of Bang Gang, the Sydney-born and Armenia-based Dreems makes his second appearance later in the month, joining Phil Smart for the next instalment of Tempo Comodo, a slow-tempo, exploratory series built on patience, space, and sonic intent.
Where Bang Gang brings chaos and colour, Phil Smart brings depth and direction. Returning to close out the month, Club 77’s longest-standing resident and a cornerstone of its sound since 1994 continues to shape the floor with the same curiosity and precision that’s defined his sets for decades. A pioneer of Sydney’s underground scene, he was the driving force behind Tweekin’, one of the club’s most influential late ’90s parties. Earlier that decade, the Jus Right parties laid the foundation for a decades-long relationship with the venue. After Tempo Comodo with Dreems, Phil returns once more to close out the month solo — a final set from one of the DJs who helped shape the club from the ground up.
Alongside returning names, fresh faces take the reins, playing 77 for the first time. Among them is Mowgli, a member of Kerfew, the Southeast Asian collective known for open-format sets and high-energy floors, whose long-awaited debut is supported by 77 resident and fellow Kerfew member Deepa. Known for his wide-reaching selections and instinct for groove, Mowgli’s set is a standout, a meeting point between his globally informed style and Deepa’s percussive, genre-spanning sound.
Also debuting is DJ D.Dee, the Vancouver-based DJ and founder of Pacific Rhythm. Built on welcoming energy and a deep attention to flow, the ethos of his hometown parties aligns naturally with 77’s own. He’s joined by Mike Who, a longtime resident and key figure in Sydney’s music community. Together, they bring two scenes into conversation, shaped by curiosity, shared values, and dance floor sensibility.
Adding to the new wave are artists shaping the future from the ground up. Aquenta and Rydeen go back-to-back, bringing raw groove and percussive energy alongside resident Ciara. A DJ and founder of Crip Rave Theory, a club night centred around
Afro-Caribbean music and accessible dance floors, Aquenta brings a sharp sense of rhythm and intention to every set. Ari Kiko joins forces with Jhassic, while Wavyrager and Yemi Sul bring bass-heavy, genre-blurring momentum. Robbie Lowe returns alongside Arunya, a rising name with a sharp sensibility and sound of her own. Together, these artists round out a lineup that looks forward without losing touch with the room.
At the core of the program, always, are the 77 residents, the ones who know the room best. Across late nights, first sets, and countless dance floors, they’ve shaped the club’s sound and spirit week in, week out. This month, they carry the birthday celebrations from start to finish. Barney Kato, Mazzacles, Phil Smart, Reenie, Jhassic, Ciara, Mike Who, Deepa, and Wavyrager all feature, holding space, setting tone, and keeping the floor in motion.
28 years in, Club 77 remains a pillar of underground culture, one of the most enduring, inclusive, and forward-thinking spaces in Australian nightlife. While scenes shift and the city changes around it, 77 has continued to evolve, not by standing still, but by championing new voices, nurturing community, and staying connected to the dance floor. This month’s program is more than a celebration; it’s a living reflection of what makes the club matter: the selectors who shaped its sound, the artists driving it forward, and the people who keep it moving. As always, it’s about community, continuity, and sound, held together by an inclusive spirit and a commitment to shaping what comes next.
Join Club 77 to celebrate 28 years the only way we know how. All events are free with guest list registration before 12am, or $25 after. To access the full program and register for the guest list, see below or visit the Club 77 website.
The post Club 77 celebrates 28 years of Independence appeared first on Decoded Magazine.
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