Live Review: Kele, Odesza, Hayden James - Metro Theatre

Sydney producer Hayden James began proceedings but already had the crowd in the palm of his hand. With pretty house licks and breathy vocal sampling, his set was the most delightful way to begin a night of searing dance music. James sampled elements of funk and soul with his single Permission To Love, and kept his set diverse and multi-layered.

Vowing to get “weird”, Seattle boys Odesza didn't hold back and kept their energy high until the very end. Wavering synth work and crashing percussion would be their aesthetic, and the throng would eat it up willingly. Smoldering basslines pulsated throughout the Metro, their vibe peppered with angelic and choral vocal samples. The duo had the goods to capture the attention of sceptics and turn them into fans by the end of their set.

Kele took the stage in pitch-black darkness, only to launch into one of the deepest DJ sets that this venue had seen for a long time. The bass pounded so hard it seemed as though a house earthquake was rolling in. The multi-talented singer, songwriter, producer and member of the lionised Bloc Party made no secret that he hails from foggy London town as he sampled skittish and brash East London-style drum'n'bass. This set would be an exhibition of deep house and techno in its purest form.

Although his DJ set showed many different styles and flow, it seemed redundant to have someone with so much raw talent spinning the decks. Knowing what he's capable of, there was a little part in everyone in that crowd that wished he would throw down some vocal work of his own. Kele certainly displayed another side to his psyche this night. He spun and wove through multiple genres at the flick of his wrist. The vibe was piping hot and the bass stayed ever so deep as the night drew to a close, ecstatic punters walking out wiping sweat from their dripping brows.