Cut Copy @ Metro City, Perth(13/05/11)

Tue 17th May, 2011 in Gig Reviews

It was a much anticipated show and hopes were high for a band that has had a confirmed following since 2004 as one of the up-and-coming synth-pop dance outfits on the Australian and international music scene. Notwithstanding Cut Copy’s obvious and genuine attempts to stage a memorable performance, there was something lacklustre about it all that is difficult to pinpoint. With such an astounding and noteworthy list of musical collaborations such as Franz Ferdinand, The Presets, Junior Senior and Bloc Party, it was disappointing that the night did not live up to expectations and past solid performances.

To begin with, the lame 80s dance club ambiance of the venue made the gig seem fairly dated. The light show was nothing awe-inspiring and did not enhance or bring anything new to the performance. Similarly, the tiresome looking cluster of spectators did not go off, as one would expect given the type of dance worthy music Cut Copy produces. There must be something about the character of a large proportion of Perth audiences that can only be described as a particular quintessence of frigidness that prevents them letting loose and reveling in the moment. Aside from a couple of really affable guys and girls, who seemed to be having the time of their lives dancing as one should, the rest of the crowd was pretty numb.

Cut Copy played most of the crowd favourites and things seemed to be looking up when they bashed out Lights and Music. During Hearts On Fire it seemed like they were finally getting their groove back. Front man Dan Whitford was his usual effervescent self on stage and did his best to connect with the mob. There’s no doubt about Cut Copy’s ability as musicians and they gave a CD quality show, but a mediocre version of themselves performance-wise.

The support came from World’s End Press who certainly know their way around old school dance tracks and had some pretty exciting sounds to offer. Their musical path is yet to be foreseen.

Maybe Black Friday can be blamed for the unfortunate outcome; the gig left much to be desired and will soon fade from memory. There were a couple of moments that gave pale glimmers of what could have been and the glory that was just slightly out of reach. Nonetheless, Cut Copy are still a force to be reckoned with and hopefully will continue to reinvent themselves and open up new dance pop frontiers.

Set list:

Visions/Nobody Lost
Where I’m Going
So Haunted
Corner of the Sky
Lights and Music
Take Me Over
Pharaohs & Pyramids
Saturdays
Hearts on Fire
Sun God

Encore:

Need You Now
Out There On the Ice