Forward Stance (Dusty b2b Sheboy)

We've all been there: hunched over a phone, trying to decipher a bassline that's half-grime, half-soul sample, while someone insists they 'know the DJ'. Forward Stance's Dusty and Sheboy at Keep Hush Live Ōtautahi delivered exactly that kind of beautifully messy, genre-agnostic prayer. The Green Room Takeover vibe is all low ceilings and sub-bass pressure, where the lights are dim enough to hide your Shazam attempts but bright enough to see the grins when a curveball lands. Averaging 138.3 BPM and locked into a 12B harmonic pocket for much of the ride, this UK bass and breakbeat set is a masterclass in bass-weight distribution.

The energy profile—heavy on the lows at 70%, sparing with the mids at 25%, and almost dismissive of piercing highs at 2%—creates a physical, chest-rattling experience. Mixing is swift and percussive, using breaks and garage rhythms to pivot between moods without losing momentum, with key modulations from 12B to 3B for deeper, more introspective moments. The arc builds from rhythmic curiosity to full-bodied release, never letting the low-end dominance become monotonous. Manuel xero's 'Wheeler (Lost in the Train Mix)' sets a broken, atmospheric tone that feels like entering a foggy tunnel.

Throwing Nancy Ajram's 'Ah W Noss' into the mix isn't just a cheeky edit; it's a full-scale cultural hijack that works because the percussion underneath is so relentlessly crisp. The mammoth 'Mile End' by Slimzee, Boylan & Riko Dan is the undeniable peak-time weapon, a grime anthem stretched and warped for maximum dancefloor impact. And closing with Shai's 'If I Ever Fall In Love'? That's the kind of sentimental, R&B-infused landing pad that makes a 4am crowd feel like they've been on a proper journey, not just a tracklist. From the sub-aquatic intro of 'Wheeler' to the raucous, MC-led chaos of 'Mile End', and finally floating down on the silk sheets of Shai, this Forward Stance DJ set didn't just play tracks—it told a story with a beginning, a messy middle, and a surprisingly tender end.