Live Review: Lazer Baby, Sumner, Jensen

Opening support act Jensen impressively fill the room. It's nice to see that the shine of playing live hasn't worn off for them or their fans, which is something that so often happens with Tassie acts as people get a little older and audiences are more familiar with particular sets. They need to warm into it, but by the time the set closes Jensen are almost in a jazz-level groove and a mini-mosh has formed down the front.

Sumner head to the stage and the genre contrast is so profound that it snaps punters into a new level of focus immediately. Vocalist Chloe Wilson informs us they've just finished recording EP, adding that they're going to test it out on us live tonight. This announcement is met with frothy howls of excitement and it really is a genuine treat to hear the work these guys have been producing behind closed doors for so long. There's something beautiful about watching Wilson and guitarist Jack McLaine work on stage together with a sense of power without pretence. Wilson displays vulnerability through her desire to genuinely connect with the audience and they do this in spades since this new set is strong. Whatever Sumner are doing with their electronic vocal harmonies tonight is powerful. The rush of drum beats surging and bursting these vocals has a totally addictive quality. This scribe is left wanting more at the end of most of their songs, which demonstrates Sumner know how to exercise restraint. The live mix is also strong and there's a crispness to the sound that pops particularly well. Sumner have discovered where their power comes from and tonight they channel the energy from the audience into the feedback loop of their performance, tempering it with equal doses of warmth and potency. 

By the time Lazer Baby take to the stage the punters are well and truly ready for it, almost bordering on impatient. This is the last gig of Lazer Baby's national tour to promote new single So Lonely and there's not even a hint of exhaustion within this five-piece powerhouse. It's always been about the rhythm section with this band and their opening tracks see them stealing focus with timing so tight they move in and out of a groove twice in one song. We're drawn in, taking more out of the ride the second time around. Hazer is a set highlight and the song jams out into a really tasty vocal frenzy at the end, immediately inciting the mosh down front.

So Lonely epitomises the best parts of the band's familial vibe. There's a push/pull dynamic and level of space here that allows vocalists Jamie Taylor and Sabine Bester to really drive the song without competition from the rest of the band. Their technical ability allows them to really play around, vocally, almost dancing within the song and it's really rewarding to watch this all unfold. Of course, the Conservatorium training underpinning this band's work is always apparent as evidenced in their heavily jazz-influenced songs. 

They then decide to cover OutKast's Prototype and falsetto busting out of nowhere completely flaws the audience; it's a delicious divergence, a strong cover and the ensuing sax solo — and jam — are definitely standout moments in the set. Mok(si) sees the rhythm section stealing the attention again and it almost feels like drummer Sam Dowson could perform solo. This is intelligent drumming at its best, not the kind that grandstands selfishly but instead listens for opportunities to provide both texture and space. An encore is demanded and honoured. During their closer, Lazer Baby don't fill up every inch of space with sound, instead choosing to showcase their own capacity to nail both dynamics and expansiveness in one creative package.