A slew of Splendour sideshows saw Melbourne-based band The Temper Trap return to Sydney, playing to a sold-out crowd at The Hordern on a brisk Tuesday night. Ranks of eager punters milled around the open courtyard whilst many more congregated inside the foyer to escape the cold; cordial conversation on their lips as they stood in line for a sweet alcoholic beverage or two.

Diplomatically making one’s way towards the front was the mindset for most as punters staked out their positions early on during the intermission. A raucous roar rose from the crowd as the boys filed on stage amidst lights of the deepest blue. The jamming introduction of Drum Song met the ears of the audience before the quartet ripped into the opening chords of Rest which prompted ample arm raising and body moving (or as much moving as the tight standing space was willing to permit). The familiar drumbeats of Fader followed on, chaperoned by the flawless singing of front man Dougy Mandagi. The pulsating rhythm of the chorus swept up spectators in a wave of kinetic energy as they proved their worth by echoing lyrics with words correct in syntax if not in key.

The soothing falsetto of Mandagi in Fools offered patrons a short respite from energy exertion. The slow moving sways may well have prompted a ‘Kumbaya’ circle of colossal proportions. The guitar twangs and racy beat of Down River bore witness to the comeback of the collective crowd jump, whilst the handclaps of Love Lost worked punters into an applauding frenzy.

Chancing a gander at Toby Dundas, he had somehow managed to pool a puddle of water on his drums and was pounding them beyond comprehension as splatters of water flew in all directions. A great cheer from the crowd met this display of playful antics, but was momentously increased tenfold when the ringing notes of Sweet Disposition filled the venue, unleashing a sleeping beast within all who stood in the vicinity. The response that met the chorus was chaotic to say the least. Limbs flailed without care for where they landed, bouncing off heads, backs, faces and chests.

Resurrection rounded out the set and kept up audience enthusiasm with its grand guitars and entertaining light display, the climactic chorus stimulating an impressive bout of dancing. Graciously thanking the crowd, the boys filed off stage leaving punters hollering for more. As expected, after a brief moment of repetitive encore yells, the band returned and charmed punters with two new tracks. Mellower and less sweeping than those off their album, the fresh songs laid evidence to the band’s maturity and steady execution of slow, atmospheric sounds.

The Temper Trap worked and shaped the audience with ease, their upbeat rhythms the perpetrator of many-a-fine sweating episode and head-shaking spasm. It was no wonder the crowd left the venue feeling giddy.

Check out the photos from the gig