The suitors in question were Cut Copy, Robyn and the Presets, and it's the author's belief that all these artists warrant another rendezvous.
Suitor number one, Melbourne's Cut Copy, showcased their indie dance pop-meets-80s electro new wave sound to a packed house early in the evening. The three members of Cut Copy: bassist Dan Whitford; guitarist Tim Hoey and drummer Mitchell Scott; projected their solid sound powerfully, acoustically working well with the intimate venue, and allowing them to captivate fans and engage cynical industry types.
Cut Copy performed many songs from their new release "In Ghost Colours" including their inspirational and fun new single "Light & Music". Obviously influenced by genre pioneers such as New Order, Daft Punk and Air, Cut Copy still manages to put an original, if not Australian, stamp on their sound. Cut Copy proved to audiences why they are currently riding an overwhelming surge of success, seemingly come their way overnight. The bands' "In Ghost Colours" debuted at number 1 on the Motorola ARIA charts recently. As well as local success, the band will also be making waves internationally, as they set to play prestigious music festivals such as Coachella in California, along with sold-out shows in New York and throughout Europe, no doubt making Australia proud along the way. Next, after what seemed like a five-year gap between acts, Robyn, dressed in a slick black ensemble, graced the stage with enough perky energy to reawaken the growingly impatient crowd.
Robyn easily commanded the attention of the room, opening with "Cobra Style". With lyrics like "my style is di bom digi bom di deng di deng digigi" the song couldn't help but get the crowd dancing, while attempting (or rather, failing miserably) to sing along with the artist. Robyn, complete with her platinum blonde hair, genuinely rocked out to this song, displaying dance moves that I'd barely seen before, let alone attempted.
The singer next chilled down the mood mid set, presumably to showcase her strong vocals, by launching into "Show Me Love".
This ballad is her most successful single from her brush with success during the 90s. Robyn proves to us that she maybe worth taking out on a second date.
In summary, Robyn's set showcased her perfect blend of R and B soulful sounds with sunny Scandinavian pop. Even if you have never heard of this funky pop singer, you would be hard pressed to resist falling in love with her undeniable enthusiasm, upbeat catchy lyrics and sex appeal.
The final act, arguably the most anticipated of the night, was born onto the stage in full rock star style. Smoked filled the room as the speakers blared the "boys are back in town' indicating their return (via the release of a new album release) from a two year hiatus. As the smoke dispersed two shadows appeared on the stage. Those shadows were Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes of the Presets.
The Presets opened with "Down,Down,Down" from their album "Beams". Almost on cue, the entire audience jumped in unison. Julian's showman ship has seemingly improved in the last few years. Rather than just standing on the stage, Julian moves, dances and poses to the music, making their set even more entertaining.
The Presets managed to keep energy levels high throughout the set. Towards the end they played their new hit "My People", and just as punters wound down expecting a finish, they smoothly transitioned to another monster party anthem "Go Hard or Go Home". The Presets have been doing the rounds lately, playing a fair few shows over the summer, including the Laneway Festival and V Festival, as well as supporting Daft Punk last December. While they always know how to put on a party, there is something about seeing them in a much smaller venue that is much more intense and enjoyable. The energy they get from the audience (which is much more obvious in a smaller venue) is contagious. Such energy perfectly complements their electro dance sounds and lyrics (which you can shout/scream/sing to with abandon!).
The Presets have a new album coming out later this week. Titled Apocalypso, it's their second delicious offering, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Presets become Modular's second Australian artist to hit number one on the Motorola ARIA charts this year, judging by the reaction this act gets from the crowd. The night worked perfectly, as the enthusiasm of the contest winners counteracted the "too cool for school" attitude of some punters. The sets were short, running for about 30 minutes each, giving us a taste of what suitors had to offer, while still being short enough to leave us wanting more. That said, the Presets ended the night with such powerful momentum that you would be hard pressed to find anyone less than satisfied. Trust it to a few Aussie bands to bring down the house on a Wednesday night these guys get gold medals.
So at the end of the night after sampling all the offerings, I might have been pushed to decide which one of these acts I would want to date musically. But being a proud card-carrying member of Gen Y, I decided to be polygamous and have it all. After all, a musical threesome - especially with these artists - just feels right.
Copyright : MTV Australia
