Live Review: Kaiit, Willy Dynamo, SO Crates

"Why don't you come over then?!" Willy Dynamo yells warmly into the mic to the groups of punters gathering around the perimeter of the room.

A few are encouraged to leg it to the dancefloor, but the remainder seem happy just to kick back and sink into the beats from afar. Dynamo drops a few dreamy, future-soul, electro-R&B beats and, after we settle in, he kicks off with the rapping. "This is all about the pimp stuff and yeah - I'm doin' that... but it ain't like that, so don't get it twisted!" is how he introduces his next song to an amused audience. And it's essentially Dynamo freestyling over everyone's favourite guilty pleasure: 50 Cent's PIMP. Soon after, we're treated to a track Dynamo tells us was made with one of Melbourne's favourite producers, Silent Jay, and it's a winner. With a jazzy, winding synth line and a slow-burning beat, it goes down a total treat. Dynamo also boasts hilarious onstage banter. He's funny, genuine and comfortable, which is really refreshing.

De La Soul and Erykah Badu hits spill out through the speakers and into the already chockers room as punters nod their heads in unison on the down beat, waiting patiently for SO Crates. MC Cazeaux OSLO's flow is cool and collected. Paired with his deep, mellow voice and composed stage presence, he's seriously transfixing to watch. Producer Skomes' beats are melodic, soulful, skilfully crafted and elevated by OSLO's rhymes, and the end result is consistently fierce. With heavy beats, deep lyrical content and effortless delivery, they make for one damn good duo. KUSH is a killer track with a laid-back beat, coloured with some lush percussion and a gentle string sample. Although understated, the intricate little saxophone runs and keys samples don't go unnoticed in their tracks and punters vibe hard to all these subtle musical nuances that make the work of SO Crates so captivating.

After a beautifully delivered Welcome To Country, queen Kaiit appears casually on stage and is greeted by an ear-shattering reception. There seems to be some sound issues going on right now, but she handles it with total composure, choosing to chat to the crowd about herself until the problems are resolved. 2000 n Somthin kicks it all off and Kaiit delivers this song with an ease and finesse way beyond her years. This girl is the whole freakin' package. She's a certified fashion killer, can work the stage without breaking a sweat and has the powerhouse pipes of an angel. There are some vocal runs that leave us all gasping for air and shaking our heads in serious shock at how easy Kaiit makes this whole thing look.

Kaiit's adlibbing is heavenly, as she riffs off her band that features some of the heaviest-hitting instrumentalists on the scene. Stir Kaiit's steaming-hot vocals into the mix and it makes for a glorious, harmonious syncopated potion. "Has anyone been on any dating apps?!" she asks before launching into another song, which is essentially an ode to shitty pick-up lines and ridiculous dating expectations. She tells us to yell, "Fuck you!" in the chorus and, of course, everyone obliges because, honestly, who doesn't love passionately yelling profanities aimed at past failed 'romantic' encounters? It's like a positive group therapy sesh in here for a hot second. Kaiit's vocals only seem to get better as the night goes and punters lose it when it's finally time for Natural Woman. The tasty jazz scatting in this one sends the track over the edge. Our applause after the last lingering note seems to go on forever.

Visibly moved and humbled, Kaiit thanks her band and the crowd yet again. Rising up from doing low-key weekday shows to selling out The Gasometer Hotel for her very-first single launch is a true testament to all this songstress has to offer: the sultry voice of a jazz crooner, the vibe of a fierce '90s R&B dream, painfully relatable lyrics and a fresh flow. Kaiit's a lovechild of the best of all things soul.