To celebrate 30 years of Hardware and the upcoming event Hardware 30 : True Faith – founder and owner Richie McNeill (DJ Richie Rich) joins Timmy Byrne for part two of the interview and plays the seminal tracks that have inspired him over the course of the 30 years.

Hardware is the longest running producer of electronic shows in Australia. It has been an innovative force since the company was established by Richie McNeill (aka DJ Richie Rich) in 1991.  The Hardware impression on Australia is undeniable and this 30 year celebration of Melbourne’s electronic music culture, will tell the story through the moments, people and sounds that shaped Hardware to be what it is today.  

On NYE 1991, Richie McNeill and Hardware threw its first rave party at the Mercantile Rowing Club (on the banks of the Yarra River in Melbourne’s CBD).  It was a fundraiser for his father’s charity, helping young kids throughout Victoria, in a time where state funding FOR YOUTH PROJECTS was in short supply.

Thirty plus years on, Richie has taken the Hardware juggernaut on a rich journey, putting Melbourne on the international map.  From the early 90s, Hardware unquestionably contributed the most to Australia’s storied electronic culture.  From an ‘inthemix Lifetime Achievement Award’ to countless legendary award-winning festivals including: Apollo, Two Tribes, Stereosonic and now Festival X.  Hardware has had a profound impact on the Australian electronic music scene and continues to do so.

Richie has DJ’d across Australia and around the globe, flying the flag for his proud Melbourne town from 1990 til the mid 2000s.  Richie established record stores, a music distribution business, record labels and more.  He also ran Australia’s most influential independent dance distributor, Mushroom’s ‘DANCENET’ from 1992- 1995 during the global explosion and golden era of dance music.

“During Covid I spent hours ploughing through photos, flyers and music, buried deep within 18 months of serious lockdowns.  Looking back, I am super proud of what we have achieved, putting Melbourne and Australia early on, at the forefront of a global movement.  I am beyond excited to share this birthday with our fans, new and old, and some of our favourite artists from the past, present and future.” – Richie McNeill – Founder of Hardware

The ‘Hardware 30: True Faith’ Event, will take place in 3 cities across Australia: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.  The event will host a huge line-up of some of the biggest names in electronic music.

Richie Hawtin (Canada)                Joseph Capriati (Italy)

Victor Ruiz LIVE (Brazil)              Sama’ Abdulhadi (Palestine)       

DJ HMC +                                          CJ Bolland LIVE (Belgium) +

and more…

+ Playing MELBOURNE ONLY

Hardware 30: True Faith Tour Dates:

Dec 9 – Home The Venue, Sydney

Dec 10 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne

Dec 11 – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane

 Ticketing Info:

Thursday 1 September – 12pm: Pre-sale

Friday 2 September – 12pm: On-sale

Buy Tickets: www.hardwaregroup.com.au/truefaith   

 About the Event:

The Hardware 30: True Faith Melbourne show, will feature over 30 Artists, across 4 stages.   The event will showcase an incredible production and magical birthday celebration and closing set finale not to be missed! Melbourne also includes an interactive exhibition, displaying images and photos from over 30 years of events.  

From the famous Hardware ‘Docks’ parties of the 90s, through to the mega festivals: Apollo, Two Tribes, Stereosonic and legendary events Welcome 2000 Millennium, Piknic Électronik, Tell No Tales, Belfast, Universe, TransAtlantic and so much more.  

The event will highlight an audio-visual sensory display, celebrating this milestone occasion, where over 1000 events were attended by a whopping 7 million+ people!

The exclusive Brisbane location is an old dockyard in the Northshore district, on the river at Hamilton, just 5 minutes from the CBD.  Sydney will play host at the legendary home of the PURE rave, the Hordern Pavilion.

About the Artists:

Richie Hawtin is a true techno innovator at the leading edge of technology and electronic music.  In his first appearance in Australia since 2017, where he played ‘Vivid Sydney’ and ‘Tell No Tales,’ Richie Hawtin returns delivering the futuristic sound of electronic music, where minimal meets techno.  A Hardware legend and set, not to be missed.  Naples-born Joseph Capriati brings us his signature techno, house and all things in between.  As a leader of the new school generation of DJ’s taking the world by storm, he has been a frequent visitor at PURE for Hardware and we can’t wait to welcome him back.  Victor Ruiz from Brazil brings us his first ever live show appearance in Australia that cannot be missed! Known as ‘The Queen of the Palestinian Techno Scene,’ Sama’ Abdulhadi is a powerful force both on and off the stage! Adelaide’s favourite DJ HMC (also known via his Disco moniker ‘Late Nite Tuff Guy’) plays the Melbourne event via his beloved techno alias HMC.  Belgium rave master CJ Bolland will be playing a retro live set of all his seminal hits.  An incredible mix of future, current and past Hardware vibes will help celebrate this milestone occasion!

The event is also the official launch of the book ‘True Faith : 30 Years of Hardware Tales from The Dancefloor.’

Orders of two tickets or more, will receive a free copy of the book (Published by Hardie Grant, RRP $99.95).

For more information, go to:

Website: hardwaregroup.com.au/truefaith

Facebook: facebook.com/hardwaregroupau

Instagram: instagram.com/hardwaregroupau