Thank you, Booka Shade

They say you’ll always remember your first time, but you rarely know when you’re experiencing something for the last.

Tonight was different. Tonight, I knew I was watching my favourite electronic duo of all time, Booka Shade, perform in Australia for the final time.

For more than 20 years, Walter & Arno have made the journey to Australia and I’ve been lucky enough to see them more than 20 times. From Prince Bandroom and the Forum, to Future Music and Stereosonic and finally, The Timber Yard.

Walking into The Timber Yard’s epic main room felt like stepping back into those festival dance tents of the 2000s, where Booka Shade would inevitably deliver the best set of the day, well, for me anyway.

There was something beautifully nostalgic about the night. It felt like a celebration of a golden era of clubbing, shared by a brilliant mix of generations who grew up with Booka Shade soundtracking their nights out, festival summers, friendships and memories. Ministry of Sound: Testament deserves enormous credit for curating the perfect lineup and creating such a fitting farewell for the German legends.

Their influence can still be heard everywhere. Australian acts such as RÜFÜS DU SOL have been heavily inspired by the duo and have carried elements of that sound to some of the biggest stages in the world. Booka Shade helped lay that foundation and their impact on electronic music in this country is greater than they probably realise.

This final show felt like the most fitting ending: euphoric, emotional and full of gratitude. One last chance to hear those songs in a room filled with people who understood exactly what they meant.

To Walter and Arno:
Thank you for Body Language.
Thank you for In White Rooms.
Thank you for Mandarine Girl
Thank you for the drop at 4:40 in Regenerate.
Thank you for more than 20 years of coming to Australia.
Thank you for soundtracking such a huge part of our lives.
You’ve given us more than you’ll ever know.

One last dance. One final chapter.

Thank you, Booka Shade

Ministry Of Sound Testament 2026 – Australian Tour

Lineup (A–Z):
Altern 8, Booka Shade, Brandon Block, Crookers, Danny Tenaglia, Darren Emerson, Riva Starr, Sinden
+ John Course, Mark Dynamix, Minx, U-Go-B

Friday 17 Jul 2026 – Superordinary – Brisbane, QLD (00s) - Tickets
Friday 17 Jul 2026 – Shed 10 – Auckland, NZ (90s) - Tickets
Saturday 18 Jul 2026 – White Bay Power Station – Sydney, NSW (90s) - Tickets
Saturday 18 Jul 2026 – The Timber Yard – Melbourne, VIC (00s) - Tickets
Sunday 19 Jul 2026 – The Court – Perth, WA (90s) - Tickets
Sunday 19 Jul 2026 – Miami Marketta – Gold Coast, QLD (00s) - Tickets
Friday 24 Jul 2026 – Superordinary – Brisbane, QLD (90s) - Tickets
Friday 24 Jul 2026 – White Bay Power Station – Sydney, NSW (00s) - Tickets
Saturday 25 Jul 2026 – The Timber Yard – Melbourne, VIC (90s) - Tickets
Saturday 25 Jul 2026 – White Bay Power Station – Sydney, NSW (00s) - Tickets
Sunday 26 Jul 2026 – The Court – Perth, WA (00s) - Tickets
Sunday 26 Jul 2026 – Venue 114 – Sunshine Coast, QLD (90s) - Tickets

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