Live Review: Ms Mr, GRRL PAL

GRRL PAL vocalist Jay LeKat bounced onto stage like a bubblegum pop princess flanked by instrumentalist Danny K. With a look and sound something like Britney meets Alison Wonderland, the synth-pop duo skipped through upbeat electro tracks including Kwler Than U and Dare, along with a couple of strong covers of SBTRKT's Wildfire and Drake's Hotline Bling. What they lacked in polish they certainly made up for in enthusiasm and youthful exuberance.

From the second they appeared on stage to a huge roar from the crowd, Ms Mr had everyone captivated. Singer Lizzy Plapinger drew all eyes in a sparkly gold jumpsuit with bright purple hair, oozing edgy New York style as the equally cool Max Hershenow flashed his svelte figure in an open shirt, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

The energy from these two was off the hook from the get-go, wasting no time in working up the crowd into a sweat with big hitters Reckless and Fantasy. Like a couple of sexy podium dancers in a club they writhed, gyrated and hair-flicked like pros, bringing the fans along with them on their wave of contagious energy.

Tracks from the new album including No Guilt In Pleasure were interspersed with older tracks like the catchy Salty Sweet. BTSK got its first live airing in over two years with Hershenow ripping his shirt off for the occasion, much to the pleasure of the crowd.

Think Of You and new hits How Does It Feel and Criminals brought huge applause and more sweaty dancing both on and off the stage. In contrast, a handful of slower tracks like Dark Doo Wop showed Plapinger's ability to effortlessly switch her gravelly vocals from slow ballads to punchy pop numbers with equal skill.

Nineties trance-inspired hit Painted gave a big finish before an encore of the dark and twisted Bones and classic Hurricane. A huge applause erupted, the band grinning from ear to ear and incredibly gracious of their fans' support, which was very much deserved.