Gig Watch : Simian Mobile Disco

Simian Mobile Disco in Melbourne

There is something magical about the Sunday night before a Monday public holiday, though perhaps the magic isn't that much of a mystery.

With the atmosphere already buzzing, it was quickly doubled thanks to an iconic music venue in Melbourne (The Prince of Wales Hotel) showing off their incredible talent in putting on yet another international act in Simian Mobile Disco.

A side show for the Big Day Out also made for quite the alternative and diverse crowd, from the pre-pubescent to the grey, from the nerds to emos and from the jeans and tees to the mini glitter dresses.

Opening up the night was local lads Miami Horror sporting their leopard skin guitar straps, skinny jeans, vests, curly mops of hair and eccentric facials to accompany their crowd pleasing tunes.

Appropriately warming up the room for Simian Mobile Disco, Benjamin, Ooh-Ee, Josh and Daniel (who are Miami Horror) mixed up old dance floor classics to an adventurous new electronic sound.

The over excited crowd held no reservations in jumping in time and throwing hands up to the ceiling as Miami Horror thanked the UK guys for the opportunity, and played their last few songs.

With little time in the interim the guys packed up their own gear and made space for the UK DJs to take to the stage with their elaborate box set up of turntables, keyboards and mix tables.

When Simian Mobile Disco finally took to the stage, the screams echoing around corners and walls was enough to tell me to make way back to my position.

Having been at this game for a little over a decade and now having a name on the international stage, means the James duo (Mr James Ford and Mr James Shaw) don't do anything by halves.

The light show was spectacular enough before you even add the mesmerising stage presence these two have.

Honestly before even noticing the music, their electric energy on stage provided enough theatrical entertainment to fill a water tank that could hold... theatrical entertainment.

Most fans had come along to listen, drink, dance and possible sing (where appropriate) along to Simian Mobile Disco, so it is probably appropriate to write about that side of things too.

I truly believe that electronic music, when done well, can have a profound therapeutic effect on everyone.

Whether you are motivated to dance with vigorous arm and leg movements or whether you are standing by the bar allowing the synthesised music to tingle down your spine until the heavy base hits you below the belt (or more colloquially "your guts"), it is true what they say "the rhythm will get you".

I have no hesitation in saying that the entire room would agree with me about the quality of the show this night.

This was evident by the shadows on the roof dancing madly in time to the retina burning light display as well as the crowd crying for a double encore and even the drinkers happily granting generous space for the dancers, the dancers in return not minding when a little drink was spilt on them.

It has been a long time since I have been to gig where the audience was so united in their love for the band, or their love for the patriotism that they were bound to encounter the following morning on Australia Day.

Actually, I haven't encountered music fans just being united, for whatever reason, but the atmosphere combined with tight sets and talented DJ's made for one fantastic gig.

Brought To You By The Dwarf