“There’s something in the water here. People in Perth move to a different beat,” said PNAU’s Nick Littlemore after the vibrant and often hysterical response of Perth’s indie-electro crowd to his band on Wednesday night. The gig was moved from Amplifier bar to the larger Club Capitol a week earlier, and just as well- the show was a last minute sell-out at the western end of the Sydney duo’s national We Are Back tour.
The Capitol’s wooden floors resonated with the synthesizer and the audience member’s stomping feet as Littlemore and Peter Mayes made their entrance.
A PNAU show is like a really good rave. Full of lights, smoke machines, disco balls and dancing fruit, diamonds and suns. PNAU are famous for shows that excite the eyes as well as the ears and this one was no exception.
The show was off to a raucous start with Wild Strawberries second after the vibrating intro. The stage was awash with red light and smoke and members of the front row wildly grabbed, and at one point, threatened to tear the dancing strawberry who got a little close to the edge.
During Embrace the dancing sun punched huge coloured balloons over the audience, much to their delight. Littlemore and Mayes play everything from guitar to slide whistle, tambourine, miniature horn and cowbell. Added to the synthesizer, drums and vocals, PNAU’s sound is loud, multi-layered and all consuming.
Electro audiences are as diverse as they are colourful. There is always the obligatory obnoxious guy who takes too many drugs and then dances around shirtless, and the oblivious fashionista who insists on wearing heels right in the middle of the mosh pit, but apart from them, the Capitol crowd were just there to have a good time, dance and get sweaty. There was a welcome lack of fluoro but glow sticks made an appearance and the energetic crowd sang along to almost everything- PNAU’s music videos played on a screen above the stage in case anyone forgot the lyrics.
Sydney’s Van She was a surprise hit before PNAU with more than a couple of audience members showing off fan shirts. The indie-tronic four-piece had the audience momentarily forgetting they were the support act during Kelly. Mayes gave props to the first support act Breakbot by donning the French psychobillies’ hula-hoop Jesus tour shirt.
PNAU’s performance ability should come as no surprise- the band have had 10 years to work on their act. Mayes and Littlemore started making music together when they were 16. Their Aria-winning 1999 album, Sambanova attracted attention overseas and retains cult status in electronic circles today. In 2001, PNAU played between Fatboy Slim and Darren Emerson in Miami to an audience that included Naomi Campbell, Carl Cox and Ricky Martin. Sir Elton John is a known fan, but last year’s self-titled album is the reason they have lately been thrust into the mainstream. Wild Strawberries reached number 100 in the 2008 Triple J Hottest 100 and Baby is being played on both Nova and Channel V.
Apart from the very long wait between Van She and PNAU’s sets, the only part of their performance that dragged, was a stretch of slower songs toward the end that included Come Together and Freedom. The mood was lifted once more during the warlike No More Violence that had everyone jumping frenetically. The night finished with the swelling, Studio-54 inspired With You Forever.
PNAU will be with Perth for at least another few days for the Triple J One Night Stand and their shows are certain to be remembered for a long time.
