Live Review: Tijuana Cartel, OKA

Formidable reggae masters OKA took to the stage first, having no problem getting everyone — from the punters to the veterans —  bumping around to their funky tunes. This innovative four-piece aren't afraid to get experimental on stage with their continually flowing beats and overall house vibe, dreamily reminiscent of an early Deep Forest. However, the true power lies with their flutist/trumpeter/harmonica player who busted out multiple solos during Music Makes Me Happy. Decked out in all white yoga gear and a groovy hat, he was more than capable of blowing fans away, supplemented by some wonderful didgeridoo work.

Having sufficiently warmed up the crowd OKA made way for electronic-indie mash-up Tijuana Cartel. They blend their influences, mariachi guitar bands and ambient world beats, nicely with catchy lyrics and a solid stage presence, making for a pretty fun groove. Hits like Letting It Go and White Dove garnered broad appreciation from demographics of all ages due to their catchy melodies, which explode frequently on the radio.

Veiled in a thick curtain of smoke (and somehow not coughing or falling over) each band member emerged as they took the lead, pouring their sound into an already broiling cauldron of electronic goodness. Solos from each musician concluded the final song, which included jazz trumpet and even bongos. However, a good few minutes of solid cheering saw frontman Paul George run back to the mic. "Alright, you're all four times louder than any other crowd we've had so we will play one more," he said, to which a crowd already beating its chest managed to raise the volume once more. Cue heavy smoke effects and wash lights, because George and keyboardist Carey O'Sullivan then went on to lead another psychedelic hit, front and centre, daring you to look away.