Goldfrapp @ Big Top, LunaPark, Sydney (29/07/10)

Wed 4th Aug, 2010 in Gig Reviews

They’ve done the fun circus thing and they’ve done the breathtaking 14-piece string section at the Sydney Opera House thing, so, naturally, this time around Goldfrapp have chosen to do the Xanadu thing.

I shouldn’t be surprised. One listen of their new album Head First and it’s clear that Goldfrapp have, shall we say, taken a new direction. It’s glam-rock meets roller-disco pop all the way and while Alison Goldfrapp used to compare with the Bjork’s and Róisín Murphy’s of the world, tonight it is the Kylie’s and Olivia’s. The only thing missing is a pair of roller skates.

The backdrop for the evening is a giant silver foil eye. I don’t know what it’s got to do with anything, but it looks like a Mardi Gras float and will be watching me for the remainder of the night. One by one the band members, each clad in tight, shiny, silver attire, file out from the middle of the eye ball. I don’t know which is more disturbing – people emerging from an eyeball or the tight silver clothes. I soon conclude it to be the latter.

Finally Alison appears, looking amazing as always, donning a black ball of glitter. As Ms. Goldfrapp and band power through their catalogue, including You Never Know, Dreaming, Head First and Number 1, I find myself surprisingly unimpressed. The tenderness, space and otherworldly feel of Goldfrapp’s music is lost on the over-polished, electronic, fast-paced approach they’ve taken with the new album.

Luckily, it’s possible to forget the new tracks like Alive and Rocket, during hits like Train, White Horse and Oh La La which feature towards the end of the set.

Treating fans to two costume changes during the evening, Alison appears a final time for the encore. Thankfully, this makes up for many of the night’s shortcomings with Utopia, Black Cherry and Strict Machine an excellent reminder of why I’d decided to go in the first place. Alison’s voice on these tracks is flawless and prominent – something missing on their newer material.

Goldfrapp is known as a band that re-invents itself with every album, as is Madonna. So, even though I still love you Goldfrapp, next time, leave your silver lycra and auto-tune at the door. We loved you how you were.

Check out the photos from the gig