Getting Classical with Groove Terminator
TMRW Music’s Ministry of Sound Classical is an acclaimed orchestral event series that has become a much-loved part of Australia’s EDM soundscape, expanding from its original one-show event to a multi-state tour. The first of this year’s Classical events will take place on the 14th of October in Brisbane, followed by two shows in Perth and another in Melbourne to follow in December. We caught up with MOS Classical day oner Groove Terminator to ask him all about the evolution of this incredible event series, his highlights from over the years and what attendees can look forward to experiencing at MoS Classical.
Thank you, GT for taking the time to answer some questions for Music Festivals Australia. For those who don’t know about Ministry Of Sound Classical, can you explain the concept to our readers?
Hi and thanks for having me, MoS Classical is a non-stop DJ mix-style celebration of Club Culture and DJ Culture performed by some of Australia's best performers and musicians all backed by the wonderful MoS Orchestra. We go through the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s, painstakingly recreating as many of the biggest tunes of those eras as we can fit in along with specially commissioned visuals and an incredible light & laser show. We reproduce every tune from the ground up and then get it scored for the Orchestra. I’ve literally spent years getting the vocal tones right on each song and am very proud of the ensemble we currently have. I believe it’s that sort of attention to detail that makes the MoS show so special.
You have been with the tour since day one, how has MOS Classical changed over the evolution of the event?
I have indeed! Over the years the show has naturally evolved into its various themes and sections whereas initially, we had a pretty spread out set of bangers we thought an Orchestra should play, and then post the first few shows we felt didn’t always work how we thought things would so that started naturally changing along the way. Then due to the global lockdowns, we were pretty much forced to retool the show into something that didn’t require anyone flying in from overseas to do the show and assemble a veritable Avengers-style lineup of vocalists who are all absolutely brilliant and work great together. Looking back I feel this has been a huge benefit to the show overall and the more performances we get under our belts, the greater the understanding of what is possible and what works and what doesn’t tends to reveal itself.
What does the process for deciding which songs you will include look like?
It all starts with a spreadsheet that the exec team or anyone in the building can also chuck their “requests “into, then a VERY long playlist and then finally, me trying to work out how to make all these seemingly disparate bits of music come together in a way that’s pleasing to me first and foremost as a DJ and then flows as a show with the vocalists and bit for the Orchestra to shine etc.
“let’s be honest EVERYTHING sounds better when there are lasers pew pew’ing all over the arena! ”
Is it difficult to transpose classic dance anthems which are made predominantly on computers to classical instruments?
Surprisingly not, there seems to be a general rule: The more electronic the original tune is then it’s more than likely going to transform into an epic live piece with Orchestra and lasers, and let’s be honest EVERYTHING sounds better when there are lasers pew pew’ing all over the arena!
Is there a song that you have fallen more in love with in its classical form as opposed to the original?
I feel the trance numbers we do are brilliant but I especially love our take on ERIC PRYDZ’s PROPER EDUCATION it just takes on another dimension with the Orchestra on it!
The Ministry of Sound Classical lineup has an abundance of Australian dance music heavyweights including yourself, John Course and Miss Connie from Sneaky Sound System. Are you ever tempted to collaborate to make the ultimate dance track?
Fun fact: Coursey has remixed me TWICE I believe, over the years and most people would be familiar with a certain remix of Sneaky Sound Systems’ Pictures by Tonite Only of which I am half of that duo with Sam Littlemore from Pnau ;) and I don’t think we could ever top that collab so why try?
What is your favourite or most special memory from the Ministry of Sound Classical series?
Easily, it’s performing AND selling out The Sydney Opera House and having your whole crew there as well, is pretty hard to beat, to be honest!. You never forget that first moment you walk out on that stage in that room with all that history. Glorious, simply glorious.
“I’m no Doctor but I’m pretty sure that attending a MoS Classical show will lead to brighter moods, a thumping bass and a smiling face for days. ”
What would you say to people who haven’t experienced a MOS Classical event before? Why should people be buying a ticket to these unique shows?
It’s a very unique, hugely enjoyable and slightly more civilised way to enjoy the tunes you know and love with your day ones. Everyone on stage is giving 100% and that energy is infectious (in a really good way) look, I’m no Doctor but I’m pretty sure that attending a MoS Classical show will lead to brighter moods, a thumping bass and a smiling face for days.
Interview by Michelle Symes
October 2023