The strength of a scene is judged by its industry. A strong host consistently needs fresh recruits and ideas, or confronts the danger of becoming staid, pretentious and boring.

For a refresher in Brisbane’s dance and electronica arena, merely look to Central Battle: a DJ competition steeped in reputation, history and honour, and comes with a history of SE Queensland’s crème de la crème in dance uniting to showcase and focus on technical skill, mixing and levels, originality and song selection. While most DJ competitions encourage audience interaction and popularity, Central Battle is distinguished as the rare gem that concentrates solely on talent. For this competition of DJ competitions, no other currency will do.

With 2012 barely off the ground and running, Central Battle has infused great energy into Brisbane’s dance and electronic arena. Across the six weeks that Central Battle took over Electric Playground, it is an incredible comfort to know that the future of dance music is in safe hands. The judging pulpit, local DJs, venue managers, the media and chin strokers alike united in the cause of finding the next DJ deserving of such a crown. All Murray Brown, the curator of Central Battle since its inception, wants to see for the conquerors is that they get a gig. And every Central Battle winner has certainly emerged a winner not just from the competition, but a champion of the industry.

From behind the wheels of steel, combatants come armed, mirroring the current dominating genres of Brisbane’s clubland. 2012 was no exception, though — surprisingly — dubstep did not dominate as much as expected. Ample seasoning of NOVA, electro, trance and progressive liberally fleshed out the competition. But it came to those who dug deeper and remained uncompromising in their sound to stand out and ultimately be rewarded with a berth in the final.

The top three of Central Battle 2012 were a fine reflection of the different musical tastes: Kitty Konfuzion, Scranton and Brett Noreicks clearly stood out. But it was Brett emerging as the victor, thanks to his tidy mixing, a varied yet eclectic taste in song selection and clean levels to his sound.

It is with Central Battle’s blessing that Brett Noreicks will go forth and shine.