Live Review: Expo Liaison

After an especially saucy few days in Canberra, there was truly no way more appropriate to round out the week than the Client Liaison-curated sensory smorgasbord that is Expo Liaison.

Walking into the Big Top (Luna Park), there was much to take in. Much like Scott Morrison, we were faced with the unenviable task of deciding what to tackle first. We went to get a drink and then surveyed the land. NO ZU had just started up so we walked in and straight away got into their industrial-post-apocalyptic-space-funk vibes. Each member of the current eight-piece iteration seemed intrinsically connected to their own sound, their dancing putting even Peter Garrett's famed grooving in the shade.

Luke Million took to the stage, silhouetted against a lit up circle. He played his mix-up of the Stranger Things theme song, with graphics of the series screening behind him. The show's period was perfectly placed in this '80s nostalgia-fuelled extravaganza. KLP joined Million on stage for Alive. Her addition changed his aesthetic somewhat, bringing a more modern dance flavour to his retro. She sang a few songs with Million, including her own Amnesia, remixed by Million.

Million had the whole crowd doing squats ("Down. Up. More energy!") during Arnold, with footage of body-builders (of course featuring the former Californian Governor) playing behind him.

Alice Ivy burst onto the stage with high energy, inviting friendship of Sydney fans, prior to launching into Be Friends. Her dynamic set kept the crowd moving and maintained the funk vibes.

Total Giovanni made mention of the politics of the week, and did not shy around sharing their own position ("Suck shit, Malcolm Turnbull... Fucking coal-loving cunt."), which actually felt a bit jarring against the feel-good atmosphere of the rest of the Expo. The quintet closed out their set with Can't Control My Love, dedicating it to love and inclusivity. The vocals were a highlight, the psychedelic dance beat contrasting beautifully with the soaring, at times almost mournful lead vocals.

Special mention goes to the punters themselves, who dressed impeccably to theme (ostentatious-Australiana-business-leisure-casual-resort-wear — no monochrome allowed). Heading upstairs we caught the wood-chopping show, and saw the finished ice-sculpture (a life-sized tracksuit-clad individual). Other activities outside of the tunes included making your own earrings, taking a spin on the Big Dipper, and purchasing items from the Client Liaison Deluxe Line of fashion merchandise. You could also strike a pose (lunges seemed very much in vogue) in front of the off-white limousine. The rain threatened to put a dampener on the outdoor activities but held off to the joy of festival attendees (not so much the state's farmers).

John Howard played a hit-laden DJ set to a very receptive crowd. Dressed in Johnny's trademark national yellow and green tracksuit, John Howard led the crowd to dance utopia, with a slideshow of The Complete Walks of John Howard ('Over Two Hours of Walking!') screening behind him.

Flanked by two enormous water-coolers either side of the stage, the men of the hour opened their set with Canberra Won't Be Calling Tonight, supported by dancers holding desk phones. Client Liaison's set is full of carefully controlled yet completely wild choreographed dancing, pyrotechnics, and multiple costume changes. They took us through their familiar catalogue, but also included "fresh CL beats". After a dedication to their musical heroes (complete with a slideshow of said heroes behind them), they brought on John Farnham — one of their greatest inspirations. They sang Pressure Down together, which was incredible except that Farnham's voice was a little lost in the enormous soundscape. Farnham stayed on stage for three songs, before closing the main set with the iconic You're The Voice, which was such a spectacular and special experience. The crowd passionately sang Farnham's timeless hit in its entirety back at him. After leaving the stage, the (entitled) crowd waited patiently without chanting anything, knowing that favourites were still to come. Sure enough, the boys came back with one last glitzy outfit change and finished a colossal set with Off White Limousine, Hotel Stay and World Of Our Love.

Expo Liaison is a festival like no other and the only gripe I have with it is it had to at some point conclude.