Cut Copy - The Arches, 03.03.2011
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| Would've got closer but was denied access for not being dressed "preppy" enough. Gutted. Photo (c) ChrisWallace: Broseph Extraodinaire |
You know you're in for a wild night when upon arriving at the venue you witness the band getting denied entry for carrying wine glasses - ROCK'N'ROLL FAIL!
But then Aussie electro outfit Cut Copy aren't really renowned for their diva ways (to my knowledge anyway). Instead settling for the role of sweet synthpop maestros, tantalising the eardrums of the masses, and that is enough for me.
And to be fair on the Arches security squad - glass is dangerous.
Support band, Holy Ghost, were first up as the venue slowly filled. Holy Ghost? more like Holy Crap Topman has a lot to answer for. These electro-scenesters, decked in their gallus finery, produced a sound akin to Flight of the Conchords (minus the witty irony) with flashes of Ross from Friends on his keyboard.
Inoffensive 80s electro, but definitely nothing to write home about. To summarise in a lacklustre sound - meh.
Cut Copy, however, know exactly the right buttons to press. Don't let the starched shirt and chino combo fool you - these Aussie bandits know how to throw a party. Within moments the crowd were dancing, bopping and, to use a colloquialism, gettin right in aboot it! The vibe was electric, the crowd were ecstatic and the band knew it.
As the first airy notes of 'Lights and Music' hit eardrums, everyone instantly clocked on and like rhythmic robots the immaculately timed bouncing began. A sight (and sound) to behold.
Tracks 'So Haunted' and 'Nobody Lost, Nobody Found' went down equally well with the crowd, who danced and sang along appreciatively of the musical effort being put in on stage, the atmosphere building with each song and each dramatic lighting change adding to the frenzy of lights and music (see what i did there?)
And as the colours of their shirts changed from dove grey to slate (through profuse sweating), it was clear the band were getting just as much out of this as the crowd.
The tempo did not drop with floor thumping, fist pumping Out There on the Ice, adding to what could be described as a pretty decent work out. Screw yer Zumba!
By the time the soft beats built in crescendo and burst into 80s-tastic, 'Hearts on Fire', arms were waving wildly in the air, as the chanting echoed through the tunnels of the venue.
The perfect frenzied finish to a upbeat and fast-paced performance.
The measure of a good night is the mood of the crowd as they filter out onto the street, and the overwhelming consensus? Sweaty and satisfied.
Cut Copy's album Zonoscope is out now
