Live Review: PVT, Jack Grace, Willaris K

Since inception, tonight's headliners have had a knack for collaborating with interesting openers. Solo electronic artist Willaris K is no exception.

In the interests of honest assessment: his set was actually a bit of mess. Still a developing artist, he seems to specifically struggle with dynamics and transitions. His mixing frequently careens a minor bass line or lead from a subdued corner of the mix into the overly loud foreground, and his performance often loses momentum when transitioning between productions. However, those actual productions are spectacular — an incredible mix of left-field experimentation and clanging techno physicality. Regardless of his current hiccups as a performer, his set was more than enjoyable.

By contrast, electronic singer-songwriter Jack Grace offered a much more polished experience. Grace's music is fascinating. Draped with skeletal melodies and, at times, mantra-like refrains, his productions represent a captivating intersection of glacial folk minimalism and almost avant-garde industrial-strength electronics. As is typically the case, his performance tonight was truly arresting. But, as is often the case, one felt it simply wasn't the right forum for his work. A conventional gig-space still seems a poor fit for the heavy and textured contemplation that is Grace's speciality. One yearns for a quiet, almost-gallery-like setting for his tunes.

Unusually, PVT's set evoked a similar frustration. Supporting what is arguably their finest and most well-rounded album to date, the trio's set mostly lacks the undercurrent of aggression that has haunted their best performances — opting, instead, for a more ambient and hypnotic energy. While there's no faulting the material or the performances (even though the relative absence of material from earlier albums is disappointing), the patient, pulsing spectacle just doesn't seem to fit the venue. It wasn't really until closing numbers Morning Mist, Rock Island Bend, Kangaroo and encore O Soundtrack My Heart that the band's performance really managed to match the violent charisma of their environment.

With new album New Spirit, PVT seem to have truly crafted an identity that is entirely their own. But, it may be that identity requires a different approach to their live performances.