Miami Horror @ The GovernorHindmarsh, Adelaide (08/07/11)

Sun 10th Jul, 2011 in Gig Reviews

The middle of Miami Horror’s Summersun tour saw them heading to Adelaide’s Governor Hindmarsh venue where they were to bring their catchy electro-pop styling’s to a near sold out and eager crowd. Riding on the coat tails of the commercial success of tracks Sometimes and Holidays, this highly anticipated tour for the Melbourne four-piece is their final on Australian soil before they head off for relocation in America. Their summery, dance-friendly tunes were certain to bring a breeze of warmth into live venues across the country and with Gold Fields in support, there was sure to be plenty of dancing to keep the winter blues away.

I used to really like The Gov as a venue but over the past few months, diminishing sound quality and ridiculously late set times have seen me question its once-famous ability to hold live music. And tonight was no exception to that doubt. With doors opening at 7:30, support act Gold Fields were not to be on until 9:30 and the main act weren’t due until 10:30. I still question why there was a 2 hour wait between doors opening and the first band as all sound checking and stage set-up appeared to have been done well beforehand. Nevertheless, the Transmission DJs helped the time pass as they spun some danceable tunes for the gathering crowd.

I have a real affinity to Ballarat’s Gold Fields (two words). Probably because we share the same home time and it’s always nice to see such fantastic music coming out of country towns but nevertheless, I was really eager to catch these guys live again, with them completely blowing me away as The Holidays support earlier in the year. Having recently come out of the woods (no pun intended) on Triple J unearthed with the song Treehouse and the follow-up single The Woods, the five-piece are still yet to release an EP but despite this, what they lack in recorded tracks they more than make up for in live performance. Thriving on the percussiveness in their tracks, their set is always packed with full-on energy and the type of drumming that results in bleeding from the ears.

Their set opener is intense and full of rhythmic beats and grabs the audience’s attention immediately. As a track that, for a short time, requires three individual drummers, it certainly makes a powerful statement as to the type of music they produce. As they continue through their powerful set, the tribal drumming and catchiness of the cowbells coupled with lead singer Mark Fuller’s cheeky stage presence has the audience completely captivated and although quite unfamiliar in this part of the country (this being their 3rd appearance in Adelaide), if they continue to put on performances like that they will be familiar in no time. Keep an eye out for their soon to be released EP.

With Gold Fields setting up the mood for the evening, after a few false starts, Miami Horror finally took to the stage in a haze of lights and were welcomed by the highly enthusiastic crowd. While there was a small glitch that briefly halted the beginning of the set, they got underway in no time and had us ready to party.

After witnessing Gold Field’s tremendous set opener, Miami Horror seemed to dwindle in comparison and it took three or four songs for the band, and the crowd, to really get into the set. It wasn’t until Moon Theory and I Look To You that the crowd started to show their appreciation for the electro-pop outfit. From there it only got better as Summersun, Sometimes and a rockier rendition of Holidays had the crowd in a dance-frenzy mosh, with people mounting shoulders left, right and centre.

Lead singer Josh Moriarty’s (who has the world’s largest soundboard for his guitar) Michael Jackson inspired dance moves were a saviour when his guitar strap broke mid-song. His smooth moves, coupled with his dashing attire and charisma, provided some entertainment whilst Dan Whitechurch on keys (and occasional bass) and Aaron Shanahan on drums worked up a sweat throughout the set, succeeding to bring the eclectic and various intricate sounds of their album Illumination to life. And with the majority of the band looking like they were enjoying themselves up there (producer/keyboardist/bassist Benjamin Plant seemed to half-heartedly play his way through the set, looking like he was on the verge of boredom the whole time) the crowd enjoyed it along with them, so much so that by the end of the set there was an instant call for an encore, a call that was answered.

With the recent success of the integration of actual instruments (not laptops and live loops) into the electronic music scene, Miami Horror have managed to produce a stage show that stays true to their electro-pop roots while also providing a fun rock and roll show too (although not as successful as fellow Aussie electro act Art Vs Science). And with plenty of guitar licks and heavy drum beats (from an actual drum kit) it’s easy as an audience member to immerse yourself in the performance and enjoy the sound when you can see that those on stage are genuinely talented musicians, not just talented at pushing buttons and turning knobs.

And Miami Horror proved that tonight, showing that they have come a long way from their humble beginnings of a single laptop producing music in a bedroom-turned-studio. And whilst they have come a long way, I am sure that this is far from the end for them, and with their USA relocation looming, I cannot wait to see what they have in store for us next.