Live Review: Mount Kimbie, Charles Murdoch

A steady stream of people trickled into the Metro Theatre as Brisbane electronic producer Charles Murdoch took to the stage, itself bathed in a warm yellow light. The young musician was part nervous part delighted to be playing in such a large venue and warming up for a great act.
Big beats and haunting vocal samples rattled the room and got everyone warmed up with a selection of tracks from new EP, Weathered Straight. Friend Oscar Key Sung joined him on stage to add live James Blake-inspired vocals to final track, Dekire, which finished the set with a great lift.
UK electronic duo Mount Kimbie arrived slightly later than scheduled but to huge applause, looking every bit the English dance act. It was heads down, focus on as Kai Campos switched effortlessly between samples, guitar and vocals while Dominic Maker looked after the bass and synths. Drummer Tony Kus joined them on stage, adding another element to the performance, which was a steep step away from their nightclub roots.
A number of older tracks were mixed seamlessly with those from new album, Cold Spring Fault Less Youth, including the jazzy overtones of Home Recording, marching beats of Blood And Form and chilled-out So Many Times, So Many Ways.
In a surprise twist, Seekae's Alex Cameron, who the band met at Sydney Festival, joined them looking very dapper in suit and tie for a rendition of Grace Jones' Walking In The Rain. Break Well lifted things up again before the big trance-led build-up of Made To Stray. A cranking encore mix of bass-heavy beats and samples got everyone up for one last dance before it all had to come to an end. A great set and proof that electronic music comes into its own as a live performance.