Live Review: Flume, Vince Staples, Sophie

It's interesting to see a pop star's DNA assert itself - especially in the context of overwhelming mainstream success.

For example; tonight's most enthusiastic attendees crowded into the venue only to find themselves surprisingly confronted by the work of the headliner's elected supports. While Sophie's kinetic uber-pop is not completely removed from the textured weirdness of his headlining counterpart, it nevertheless proved significantly more aggressive than many attendees seem accustomed to - with only a handful seeming to really connect with the producer's high energy set.

Vince Staples, similarly, seemed to represent something more intense and volatile than many expected. While certain numbers hit hard (Hands Up, Norf Norf) and saw the standing crowd fully engaged with Staples' vicious flow and murky instrumental backdrops, many other cuts (Jump Off The Roof, Lift Me Up) saw the crowd somewhat paralysed. Though, to be clear, none could fault Staples' firebrand performance.

Flume's set, by contrast, was the quintessence of crowd-pleasing. But, even in something that was in all ways geared towards maximum audience satisfaction, it was possible to see the idiosyncrasy that has consistently underpinned even the broadest of his output. His rig may have been festooned with more complicated and colourful lighting than your average Sydney producer but the functionality of that rig is remarkably sophisticated and precise. For each production, each component of the lighting rig was effectively synced to an instrumental component of the song; resulting in a complex, overwhelming lighting arrangement that nevertheless underscores and evolves each number's grooves and rhythm for greater impact.

But, as interesting as it is to see a star's auteur side slowly begin to flourish, it's much more satisfying to see them in their element. The greatest delight of Flume's performance was watching the Sydneysider unite an entire arena in delight. His set began with a few stutters and pacing issues but, after dropping his classic remix of Lorde's Tennis Court, he clearly found his groove and, with little to no explicit urging, had the entire venue on their feet for the majority of his set.

People underrate the importance of joy. But, as the sun starts to set on one of the most brutalising years of recent memory, to see so many people united in love, appreciation and celebration was a galvanising and necessary respite for the soul. One can only commend the artist responsible for it.