Brooklyn duo Sleigh Bells brought their hybrid noise pop/alt rock to Billboards last Wednesday night, for a sideshow while they’re out touring the country on the Big Day Out lineup.
Young trendy types flooded the venue, eager to fill their night with the sounds of grungy electro rock.
Brisbane thrash pair DZ Deathrays were the perfect support slot, their grunge ridden rock sounds enticing the crowd into an energetic mosh.
Although still half empty, the venue was bouncing with enthusiasm for a Wednesday night, as the long-haired rockers smashed out some killer electric guitar riffs accompanied by heavy vocals.
IOU DJs filled in the gap between sets, but the audience was seemingly uninterested in the diverse set that ranged from fun 90s-sounding bangers to minimalist trance tracks.
The floor cleared as over the top smoke machines begged for some attention, but at this point the bar was the main attraction for most.
A truckload of Marshall stacks occupied almost the entirety of the stage, fitting for Sleigh Bells’ bass heavy performance, while punters screamed and clapped waiting in darkness and suspense for the hour-long set to begin.
Amidst dimmed lights, a copious amount of smoke, and a voice over intro, Sleigh Bells’ Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller appeared on stage, accompanied by their touring bassist.
The room became engulfed in lasers and strobes, beginning an intense light display that would be maintained through the entire show. With a heavy bass line came the spunky, studded jacket, hoop earrings-wearing, massive personality that is Alexis Krauss.
You have not seen a female front lady until you have seen this woman do her thing. She began opener ‘Demons’ with an energy that was upheld for the rest of the night, like a punk styled rainbow butterfly on Red Bull.
Jumping down into the crowd during earlier hit ‘Treats’, the mass of spectators were well and truly rioting – in the best kind of way.
Dance numbers filled the electro rock collection with Krauss appropriately labeling the crowd “sweaty as fuck.”
Tracks from both of their albums, 2010’s Treats and 2012’s Reign Of Terror, filled the night with a diverse range of alternative synth-laced rock, including crowd favourites ‘Tell ‘Em’, ‘Comeback Kid’, ‘Infinity Guitars’, and ‘Crown On the Ground’.
Krauss entertained alone for one song as her two companions left stage, only to return with electric guitar riffs, energetic and compelling as ever.
‘Born To Lose’ was a particular stand out, proving that Krauss can actually sing – it’s not just about the act and personality. The slower, more melodic song then blew up into a drum heavy, grungy as ever, hypnotic electro song.
It was often hard to distinguish the audience between a hardcore metal mosh and a techno lover’s rave, but either way, everyone was going nuts.
A punter jumped on stage and dived off to surf the crowd, the perfect lead up to the closer, and the band’s biggest hit, ‘Rill Rill’.
Krauss went for a crowd surf herself before leaving the stage, until returning for an expected but seemingly unnecessary encore – people were satisfied and had already begun leaving.
The three song conclusion included ‘Never Say Die’ and ‘A/B Machines’ during which another punter jumped on stage, picked up Krauss as though they’d been newly wed, and she continued to sing from the comfort of his arms.
With their unique electronic grunge rock coming to a finish, Sleigh Bells excitedly announced that a new record was on the way. A third helping of “sweaty as fuck” music? Yes, please.
