There once was a time when people would have considered an entire publication based on sneakers a little strange. Not anymore, idiots!

Since 2002, the lads behind Sneaker Freaker have been dressing their pages in all the latest from the world of footwear: Fresh releases, highly coveted collaborations and in-depth features with the world’s most mind-blowing collections. With the evolution of the online sphere, the physical magazine has been supplemented with an extremely active website that helpfully informs me when all the best Air Max 95 models are dropping.

Impressively, Sneaker Freaker is based right in our own backyard. While street fashion aficionados might be expected to come from New York or Paris, the world’s premium sneaker publication was birthed in Australia’s own style Mecca – Melbourne. We recently headed down to the 3000 to celebrate Sneaker Freaker’s latest collaboration. Plot twist: It’s not a sneaker.

Having already dropped sneakers with Puma, Lacoste and Asics in 2015, Sneaker Freaker looked to the wrist for this latest fusion with G-Shock. Having crafted stylish and durable timepieces for over 30 years, this collaboration is a meeting of two veterans and pioneers in their respective fields. Named the ‘Nightowl’, the watch is an ominous creature with playful hits of mint and Sneaker Freaker’s signature speckle.

Taking place in a warehouse space in the heart of Melbourne, the ‘Nightowl’ launch party could be heard from blocks away, with the city’s finest selectors dropping everything from Rae Sremmurd to Nicki Minaj. It was also a healthy showing for a school night, with a mix of younger heads and seasoned OGs who have sneaker collections that are worth more than my house. Cupcakes and whiskey (winning combination) both flowed freely throughout the dancefloors, and extra points for colour co-ordinating the cupcakes with the watch itself.

Standing assertively in the corner was the ‘Nightowl’ concept brought to life – a larger-than-life bird watching over the entire audience, with lasers shooting out of its eyeballs and projecting across the entire space. Everybody knows that every event gets about 72 times better if there are lasers involved.

Soundtracking the night were my fellow Sydneysiders Joyride – also known as the guy who destroyed Chet Faker on the ARIA red carpet – and Nacho Pop behind the decks. It’s always liberating when you hear Joyride opening a set by gracefully singing “Boy I fucked your girlfriend” – a pearler from ‘First Place Pt. 1‘ – and from there he continued with material from The Meeting Tree and One Day material, as well as some solo stuff thrown in for good measure. Thanks to Joyride for giving me an onstage shout out and making me feel very special.

Later, headliner Anderson.Paak took the stage, redefining what a live hip-hop show is with his full band in swing. Collaborating with the likes of ScHoolBoy Q and Knxwledge as well as several appearances on Dr. Dre’s recent Compton album, it won’t be long before he receives more shine on an international scale – and we’re chuffed that we got to see him in such an intimate environment. Props for the Keith Ape ‘It G Ma‘ rendition, Korean people all over the world are cheering.

From there, it’s more whiskey and donuts until the early hours of the morning. I then returned to my hotel room which had a big green door and had a splendid seven hour sleep. I woke to a typically brisk morning in Melbourne and ate a pho by myself, before dragging my sore head and sorry ass back to the airport, catching a flight home and waiting 45 minutes in 45 degree heat for a cab. Welcome to Sydney!

Thanks to Sneaker Freaker and G-Shock for the mini-vacay, and props to Melbourne for turning out in full force. Until next time, friends.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsUxekcjnSk