Pluto Jonze treated an appreciative Saturday night crowd to a fun-filled and visual gig at Melbourne’s Northcote Social Club.
Riding high on the success of uber-catchy single ‘Eject’ and the release of his debut album of the same name last month, Pluto Jonze showed Melbourne once again just why he’s such a well-renowned live performer.
Jonze was supported by Huw Murdoch and Hey Geronimo. Murdoch had to make do with a very sparse venue, while the crowd built to a more respectable size by the time the Brisbane band ventured onstage.
The four-piece played a consummate and thoroughly enjoyable set and were probably unlucky to not get more of a reaction from the crowd. Toward the end of their set they managed to get people to move closer to the stage and dance by way of a jam session. Pluto Jonze himself was the main culprit in convincing people to get their feet moving by doing just that himself.
Their most well-known song ‘Why Don’t We Do Something?’ was an undeniable highlight and brought about a look of “oh yeah I do know this song” from a few punters. ‘Carbon Affair’ was also a highlight from the professional and entertaining pop outfit.
After about half an hour of sound-checking and minor set changes, Pluto Jonze along with his guitarist and drummer, allegedly named Bruno and Mars, made their way onto the stage. They opened with ‘Plastic Bag In A Hurricane’ from the new album, undoubtedly one of the strongest songs Jonze has penned thus far.
‘Love The World Like A Child’ is, aside from being a rather thought-provoking name, a damn good song, and proved to be one of the best performances on the night. ‘Meet You Under Neon’ is one of two songs off his 2011 EP to make the grade on the debut record; and for good reason. The song manages to be continually evolving, nostalgia-evoking and at the same time somehow channel a little of ‘Stacy’s Mum’.
Jonze finished the regular 11-song set with the ‘the title track from his well-received album.. It was always going to be, and it certainly didn’t disappoint in any way at all. It got the most uninvolved people in the room dancing with such unbridled joy it looked like they’d been robbed of their inhibitions.
‘Eject’ is such an amazing song and despite a talking computer throughout the song the band played alongside the pre-recorded portion of the song with seeming ease. Something they managed to do stunningly all night long.
Unfortunately Jonze’s old-school computer/TV Alex was DOA in Adelaide the night before so the full visual experience didn’t quite eventuate. However the words were projected onto the stage so it didn’t much matter.
Jonze must be commended on putting on a remarkable show from a visual perspective on what surely must be a relatively small budget. His ambition to deliver whatever he imagines appears not to be curtailed by small venues or the lack of a big label bank account.
The only real criticism of the show was that Jonze decided to come on for one more song and played ‘All Washed Up’. While admittedly a great song, it didn’t leave the crowd on the high that ‘Eject’ just had.
The Eject album tour’s stopover in Melbourne was a show that involved very talented supports, a fun and quirky crowd, free mini musical instruments and a headliner that oozes musical genius and knows how to put on an full-scale stage show, pheromone and all.
