Flight Facilities
A day in Sydney with the skyrocketing duo.
TwentyFour
Photos by Mitch Tomlinson January 29, 2015

TwentyFour, in partnership with Red Bull.

When I saw Flight Facilities open a DJ set with Bomfunk MC’s ‘Freestyler’, I knew they were something special. Oh yeah, they were also wearing matching Adidas tracksuits. While they’ve long been club and festival favourites in Australia, the duo released their debut album Down To Earth in 2014 – and the hype was really real.

The album shot to Number. 1 on the iTunes charts, and Flight Facilities backed it up with a global tour of epic proportions. We joined the boys in Sydney before a sold-out show at The Enmore Theatre, and looking back on these pictures, we’re too keen to see them once again at Laneway Festival. Here’s how it went down:

FF

The lads stay calm ahead of tonight’s show, the final stop on the Australian leg of their Down To Earth tour – and what a fitting location it is. The duo’s beginnings in Sydney was spent remixing peers like Bag Raiders and Sneaky Sound System – the same cast of acts who went on to host legendary club nights and form the golden years of Australian dance music.

3_FF_LWA_24_selects_10

Now, in the midst of another local dance renaissance, Flight Facilities are playing the biggest shows of their careers and catering to immense local and international demand. *Wipes away tears of pride* We jump into soundcheck at The Enmore Theatre, and John Paul Young is here for the ride. If that name doesn’t sound familiar, you might wanna ask your mother – this is the bro from 1978 who sang ‘Love Is In The Air‘. What the hell? This is amazing.

4_FF_LWA_24_selects_13

SERIOUSLY. JOHN PAUL YOUNG. This photo is like a family portrait of certified sickunts that you wish you were related to. #WEMADEIT

5_FF_LWA_24_selects_14

From John Paul Young to Owl Eyes, the lineup of guests for tonight’s show is evidence of Flight Facilities versatile production abilities. Here, Hugo does a nudie run over the bare dancefloor, but manages to avoid being pinned down by security and the $2000 fine, unlike this bloke.

6_FF_LWA_24_selects_2

Fans begin pouring into the venue for tonight’s sold out show. It’s possible that the guy on the right is a younger version of Red Symons from Hey Hey It’s Saturday.

7_FF_LWA_24_selects_1

Other than making phenomenal ass-shaking and cocktail-sipping music, Flight Facilities also have one of the strongest merchandise collections in the game including inflatable pillows and toothbrushes that are guaranteed to make your breath at least 73 times more bearable. Here we have the #VERYRARE Flight Facilities gym socks paired with some lightweight Nike footwear. Cozy and swagnificent, outfit on fleek.

8_FF_LWA_24_selects_18

We’re excited enough for tonight’s show, but we almost have a heart attack when the pre-gig Kinder Surprises roll out. If you don’t enjoy a Kinder Surprise every now again, you are probably soulless and not even human. Hugo looks pretty happy with his. What toy will he receive? The anticipation is overwhelming.

9_FF_LWA_24_selects_19

Some crazy robot bros are now in the dressing room. These guys look like they belong at a Skrillex concert or something.

10_FF_LWA_24_selects_22

Dessert before dinner – pizza is now on the cards, and there are absolutely no complaints on our end. And no, this isn’t that god-forsaken pizza that has vegemite and cheese stuffed in the crust.

11_FF_LWA_24_selects_23

Here’s a food coma and business meeting taking place simultaneously on the same damn table. The crew finalise the finer details for tonight’s show, and you know they mean business because they even have a printer. Printing things on paper means that serious shit is about to go down.

12_FF_LWA_24_selects_17

Jimmy with the 10/10 strong recline, performing a quick check on their social media statistics. Follow them @flightfac to keep up with all the latest news and wacky adventures from the duo! #SMOOTHINSTAGRAMPLUG

13_FF_LWA_24_selects

Here is Monte Morgan of Client Liaison, who have toured alongside Flight Facilities for the past few dates. Not only does he have the best name of all time, but he can also strut through the backstage area while radiating a confident and shirtless aura. “We want Client Liaison on every one of our shows forever,” says Jimmy. Such a great statement. We need more bromance in the Australian music scene – and more female bromance, too!

15_FF_LWA_24_selects_25

Suit up.

16_FF_LWA_24_selects_24

Don’t these guys look a million bucks? If this is the regular attire for a Flight Facilities gig, then we can’t wait to see what they pull out of the wardrobe for the red carpet. Special shoutout to Hugo for the leather jacket and cozy shoulder pad combination. #FARSHUN #TRENDING

17_FF_LWA_24_selects_15

Client Liaison absolutely dominating onstage …

18_FF_LWA_24_selects_8

… While Flight Facilities wait in the wings. Soon enough it’ll be time for take off, and this gig is going to skyrocket to new heights. And yes, I just decided to cram as many flight-related puns as I could into one caption.

19_FF_LWA_24_selects_5

The Flight Facilities tie: Wear one of these to your next job interview. Corporate with a dash of casual chic, and a certain indicator that you are down with young people.

20_FF_LWA_24_selects_9

Flight Facilities, Down To Earth: Number. 1 on the iTunes charts. Well deserved.

FF_JPY

One more shot of John Paul Young is very necessary, we think.

22_FF_LWA_24_selects_21

Who gives a flying fuck if you have a seated ticket? If you’re at a Flight Facilities gig, dancing is mandatory. This gig is turning into one hell of a party as the lads spin all their favourites which have soundtracked countless summers: ‘Crave You’ and ‘Foreign Language’ are just the tip of the iceberg.

23_FF_LWA_24_selects_6

Congratulatory hugs after the show, and why not? A brilliant debut album, a sold-out national tour and a homecoming as huge as this. Everything is coming up Hugo & Jimmy.

24_FF_LWA_24_selects_3

Even more hugs.

25_FF_LWA_24_selects_4

Dressing room goes Street Fighter – karate kick onto effortless couch recline.

FF_LWA_24_48

The whole clique! Kudos to Flight Facilities on their tremendous success, and we can’t wait to catch them again this weekend at Laneway Festival.

Editors Pick
3y
TwentyFour: Jye Kearney
Presented by Zipmex.
6y
TwentyFour: The Kid Laroi
A day with the 15-year-old hip-hop prodigy.