Industry Insiiide: Ascension… The Persistence of Hard Dance
She’s a teacher, a new mum, and the driving force behind Perth’s harder styles revival. Meet Jennifer Melsopp, the promoter who refuses to let the rave die.
Jennifer Melsopp’s first event started with a stolen $500 deposit and a venue that stopped answering calls.
Seven years later, she is still here.
Her reality isn’t backstage champagne or festival riders. It’s independent survival. From navigating venue closures to the relentless effort of keeping niche genres alive in a city dominated by Drum & Bass, Jennifer remains committed to keeping Happy Hardcore present in Perth.
“I live and breathe this music,” Jennifer says. “The world would be a better place if more people listened to Happy Hardcore.”
We sat down with Jennifer to discuss the volatility of underground venues, why genre integrity is non-negotiable, and how a slow-build ecosystem is keeping the rave alive.
📉 Logistical Warfare
The path to Ascension was logistical warfare. After demanding her stolen deposit back from that first ghosted venue, Jennifer pivoted to warehouses, trying to emulate the raw energy of the UK scene.
It was an era that saw El Hornet from Pendulum show up and declare he’d finally found a “real rave” in Perth. But warehouses are volatile, and nightclubs often don’t understand the culture.
It’s a shift from instability to a venue that understands harder styles… an intimate room where the music comes first.
🍼 The Hiatus & The Resurrection
In 2023, the brand went dark. Jennifer had a baby, and the exhaustion of balancing motherhood teaching and trying to produce more of her own music nearly ended Rave On.
“I wondered if that might be the end,” she admits. “But I’m no quitter… I really believe in this music.”
The itch returned, and the breakthrough came from an unlikely source. Her husband (a plumber), landed a job working on a new city venue called Truth Perth. That chance connection birthed Ascension: a regular 6-weekly night dedicated to the full spectrum of harder styles, from Hard House, Hard Trance and Hard Techno to Hard Style, Hardcore and Gabber .
🛡️ Protecting the Sound
Jennifer is protective of the “Hard Dance” label, noting that it is often used loosely by promoters who don’t actually book the sound.
“I’m seeing the term ‘Hard Dance’ bandied about,” she observes. “But I’m not sure their line-ups actually reflect that.”
Ascension operates on precision. It isn’t just fast techno; it is a dedicated space for the specific subgenres that often get ignored: Hard Trance, Happy Hardcore, Gabber and Frenchcore. It’s about maintaining the authenticity of the sound for the people who actually live for it.
🤝 Ecosystem Over Optics
The most defining feature of Ascension is its refusal to chase scale for the sake of it.
While other events rely on massive international headliners, Ascension is built entirely on locals. It is a slow-build ecosystem where reinvestment matters more than optics.
This commitment is tangible. Veteran Perth DJs have waived their fees… not as charity, but as reinvestment. It is a rare environment where the longevity of the scene is valued higher than the nightly margin.
📅 The Build Continues: Ascension @ Truth
The build continues on Friday, February 27th at Truth Perth.
Ascension operates on a strict six-week cadence. It offers a multi-genre experience that serves as a safe space for ravers overwhelmed by mega-clubs. Expect a judgement-free zone where the BPM is high and the community is tight.
⚡ Jennifer Melsopp Quickfire
| Category | Answer |
| Favourite Venue (Non-Ascension) | Hell Hole Warehouse |
| Dream Collab | A 2-Room Rave: DnB vs. Hardcore |
| Favourite Booking | G-Force (Resident & Tech Wizard) |
| Vibe Killer | DJs booked for socials, not skills |
| Most Memorable Night | “2019: A Hardcore Odyssey” (The First One) |
| The “Silly Season” Highlight | The ranger at Heirisson Island turning out to be a Trance DJ |
🔌 Pass the Aux
We ask every feature guest to answer a question left by the previous interviewee.
Incoming Question from Bionic:
“What’s the favourite part of DJing?!”
Jennifer:
“As a producer, getting to play my own tracks and seeing how the crowd reacts. As a promoter, giving up and coming DJ’s and opportunity to play out and develop their skills.”
Outgoing Question for the Next Promoter:
“What’s the best way to draw in a new crowd for a genre that they’re not familiar with?”
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