Kicking off the first leg of their Australian tour, British indie-rockers Alt-J had a lot to live up to following 2012’s successful album An Awesome Wave.
Their unique sound doesn’t automatically translate to a live setting, and a less talented band may find themselves stumbling, but the talented group more than made it work, managing to bring a special something to each number of the night.
Opening the evening were Melbourne-based electronica four-piece, City Calm Down. Tight and deep, with driving bass lines, the foursome have a sound vaguely reminiscent of US rockers The Killers, with lead singer Jack Bourke’s voice particularly comparable to Brandon Flowers’.
The group had feet tapping from their first number, “Sense Of Self”, a clever post-punk/electric number, and their set was fun and paved an easy path for the crowd to get into the feel of the night.
As cool and collected as their name suggests, the boys could probably do with letting themselves go a little, cutting loose and just rocking, but their nonchalant act still came over well, and they were well-received by their audience.
Cockily taking the stage to the tune of “Rap City”, Alt-J commanded a strong presence from the get-go. Very much a ‘come as you are’ group, they don’t have a particular style or look they’re going for together, and each of the lads seem to wear what’s comfortable for them.
The overall ensemble effect is a little jarring, and as they opened there may have been a brief moment of worry, that these were just four musicians up there doing their own thing. Thankfully it was clear early on, that all four possess a great deal of talent, and work with and play off each other well.
After a booming introduction, they started subtle, and the setlist built in crescendo throughout.Third number “Tessellate” was the first to really get the crowd roaring, Thom Green’s tight drumming driving the song and its beat to a much more formidable performance than the studio rendition.
“Something Good” followed by “Buffalo” both had the crowd moving, but the punters really came to life when the guys launched into a cover of Kylie Minogue’s “Slow”. A very different arrangement to what we might be used to, it was clever and remarkably well done.
Predictably, the highlight of the night was “Breezeblocks”, arguably Alt-J’s most famous, and well-loved number. Introduced with a coy joke “Someone requested this earlier”, it was the shoulder-hopping, feet-stomping and finger-triangling climax of the night.
The lads left the stage to thunderous cheering, which continued strongly until they reemerged for their final three-song encore. With the fake-encore a mainstay of any gig nowadays, it was refreshing to have a band genuinely called back for more, even if it was planned. The night ended on “Taro”, a harmonious and fun number that let everyone leave with a smile on their faces.
Despite the soaring highs the band reaches, they remained somewhat stoic most of the night, and like their openers, could probably afford to simply let loose a little.
Physically, they’re poised and static and the act almost betrays the highs their songs can reach. Gus Unger-Hamilton on keyboards particularly personifies this, at some points barely moving, despite the magic he’s making behind the keys.
Ultimately the cool guy act is still working for the band, and even if they’re not moving on stage, they’re getting the people moving on the floor. They’re definitely a fun act to watch, and an auditory treat, and magnificently translate their studio sound into a unique live performance.
