The Hi-Fi - Fri Aug 20

Local electronic three-piece Hunz produce a spellbinding set that could easily headline the night. Their soaring melodies and delicate glitchy ambience fill the room and the crowd is practically glowing from the energy of their performance. The sporadic use of a drum machine works well tonight and their newer material explores the dancier side of electronica.

Mr. Maps pull off complex math-rock compositions with impressive dynamics and time-signature shifts. They show off songs from an upcoming release, which sound rockier and less melodic than their previous. Compared to Hunz they seem slightly flat and empty on the expansive stage, but they manage to find their feet towards the end of the set.

If tonight’s line-up was a game, Lion Island would appear to be the odd ones out. However, what was once a folk band have now dropped many of their folk instruments in favour of electric guitars. This reviewer is torn between their Beirut past and new Arcade Fire direction, but there’s no denying they put on an excellent performance.

Hazards Of Swimming Naked close the night with their brand of metal-tinged post-rock. Their extended arrangements contrast drawn-out hushed subtleties with tremendously epic build-ups reaching prog-metal climaxes. While the band barely move at all, apart from a few metal stances thrown in, they are remarkably compelling to watch. They finish off what has been an excellent night of quality local bands.

TIAN ZHANG

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