Crystal Castles, My Disco @Palace Theatre, Melbourne(28/01/2011)

Mon 31st Jan, 2011 in Gig Reviews

With rumours of tour cancellations and a polarising second album, Crystal Castles came into their Palace show with two very different reputations to uphold: their reputation as experimentalists, avant-garde artists, and their reputation as one of the most electrifying, party-starting live acts. While many experimental and avant-garde artists struggle to capture the crowd’s attention – let alone start a huge rave-like party – the Crystal Castles live show is something else.

Walking into a steadily filling Palace, My Disco are into their second song of a relatively long set. With the crowd approaching equal parts bogan and hipster, the local trio fail to capture the attention of both stereotypes. Bordering on prog-rock for most of the set, any reasons for descriptors such as ‘minimalist’ that are often applied to the band are not on show tonight. Undoubtedly a set that would’ve pleased fans, the band would have benefited from altering their set; an enjoyable set for current fans and a set will win over new fans are very different. Yet, this doesn’t seem to phase the band, in lieu with other ‘experimental’ acts; they don’t care.

Leaving the stage to a polite applause – perhaps more for the fact that the headliners are up soon – the bottom level of the venue becomes increasingly restless. Moving as one like a swarm of bees, the masses jostle for position as a quick setup takes place. Soon, a man wanders onto stage, much to the excitement of some – and the worry of others. ‘ Alice Glass, the lead singer of Crystal Castles, has been told by her doctor to not play this gig!’, he announces. Apparently an announcement made at all shows on this Big Day Out tour, it didn’t fail to get the crowd even more excited for the main act. ‘Do you know what she told him? Fuck that!’

Ethan Kath and Chris Chartrand walk on stage; Kath, hooded, to his plenthora of keyboards, Chartrand to his relatively basic drum kit. Glass hobbles on stage last, with a crutch under one arm. While Glass is usually a highlight of a Crystal Castles live show, it is in a somewhat different way that she commands attention throughout this show. Opener Fainting Spells stuns the unbelievably excitable crowd, the strobe lights coming into full effect and only offering half-second frames of Glass, who hauntingly stands at her microphone stand.

One of the uncomfortable and borderline unlistenable tracks off their new album, opening with Fainting Spells was a risk. Failing to electrify even the most excited of crowds, it was of small concern that Crystal Castles would err on the same side of boring performances that My Disco did. This fear is quickly alleviated as stun turns into excitement and excitement leads to dancing. From there, the crowd or band never looked back.

Mixing choice cuts off their latest self-titled effort, like Hottest 100 #44 Baptism, with hits off their debut album is a formula that works throughout the night. Glass’ acapella refrain introduced Crimewave, which was soon followed by Alice Practice. Arguably two of their most popular songs, the quick combo of the two marked a high point in the set that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Debut album tracks like Air War and Courtship Dating offered a different feel to songs off the new album, with the latter decidedly more experimental in nature and the former a straight-up electro assault. More accessible tunes like their Platinum Blonde cover Not In Love and Celestica were perfect live selections over some of the ‘difficult’ listens on the new album. Though, that’s not to say that the band are all for crowd pleasing. Lesser known tracks like (comparatively speaking) slow-burner Empathy and Intimate both got a run.

While the two encores didn’t quite match the euphoria that met the band’s biggest songs, the crowd got exactly what they wanted. Untrust Us allowed Kath to use his microphone, while the unreleased live favourite Yes No was one for true fans.

Proving that avant-garde or experimental music doesn’t necessarily equate to a poor performance, Crystal Castles blasted the ears of Melbourne punters in a display of avant-garde electronica that was executed to perfection. Under one of the harshest and most forceful – yet stunning – light displays we’ll likely see this year, Crystal Castles cross over to the live arena with skill beyond their years and beyond similar electronic acts.