Live Review: Chairlift, The Harpoons, Confidence Man

Some gigs you don't want to be late for. Brisbane band Confidence Man begin with just two members in sight, as their synth player and drummer lay down some serious rhythms and pull some even more serious shapes. They're wearing beekeeper hats and gothic outfits, warming up the audience for the arrival of vocalists Janet Planet and Sugar Bones. The singers eventually launch onto the stage with a synchronised dance routine as the band segue from one breakbeat to another, every song sounding like it was inspired by Deee-Lite's Groove Is In The Heart. We're treated to Alligators Making Allegations early in the set, followed by an equally ridiculous series of unreleased songs. The group finish with their infectious single Boyfriend (Repeat), and there's not a still body in the room.

If the previous band were an exercise in excess, Melbourne band The Harpoons are all about restraint. The four-piece are dressed mostly in simple stage blacks, with Jack Madin's guitar the only live instrument in sight. Frontwoman Bec Rigby's voice slips and slides through melodies while Henry Madin and Martin King's drumming keep the beat pulsing steadily. We Can Work This Out sounds like a slow Drake jam, complete with references to unrequited love and cell phones, while Ready For Your Love finds the band successfully exploring more dance-centric territory. They finish with Unforgettable and politely thank the crowd, leaving us feeling restless for tonight's headliner.

American synth-pop duo Chairlift also play as a four-piece tonight, with saxophonist Danny Meyer and guitarist Joey Postiglione supporting lead singer Caroline Polachek and multi-instrumentalist Patrick Wimberly. There's a sense of theatricality to the performance as the band open with Look Up and Polymorphing from their recent album, Moth. Polachek moves effortlessly around the stage, throwing in some interpretative dance moves and interacting with the audience. Sidewalk Safari has the crowd sounding ecstatic, but it's when she hits the high note on Show U Off that the loudest cheer goes up. The lithe bass line of Amanaemonesia and the Japanese version of I Belong In Your Arms are further highlights, before Unfinished Business, Crying In Public and Bruises make for a sentimental finish.

After an impressively energetic set, they generously return to the stage for an encore featuring Get Real and Ch-Ching. Polachek's been wearing a slight alteration of her outfit from the Ch-Ching video all night, and she takes full advantage of this moment to work the stage with a series of hip hop-inspired dance moves and helicopter hair-whips. It's a sight to behold, and a spectacular end to the night.