Live Review: Midnight Juggernauts, Yesyou, Client Liaison

Client Liaison are in the middle of a pastel coloured '80s synth-pop jam that's bumping along to an electro disco beat when we arrive at the Corner. Everyone's smiling and the crowd has clearly warmed to this charming duo comprised of Monte Morgan and Harvey Miller. The '80s seem to exert a big influence on the pair who sport big hair and retro outfits. Their music references some cheese-laden influences of that era without slipping into pastiche or attempting to produce something that sounds completely authentic. A power ballad brings down their set, giving the lads ample opportunity to strike some hilariously overacted dramatic poses.

Relatively new indie dance kids on the block, YesYou from Brisbane transform from primarily being a couple of studio-bound producers into a four-piece for tonight's show. They deliver a slick but somewhat predictable electro-pop sound that features layers of fluffy synth sounds that float over solid beats. Tunes like Amsterdam and Half Of It prove irresistible as they come with hooks that drill into our heads. Tara Simmons, who has been quietly playing keys all night, steps up to the mic to deal a fine version of Hot Chip's One Life Stand. She then proceeds to steal the show by giving her voice a real workout with the song Frozen. It makes Frivolous Life like a bit of a comedown but by the time they hit the energetic chorus everyone seems to be having a good time.

The Corner is overflowing with fans by the time Midnight Juggernauts are ready to do their thing. Surprisingly they seem to speak to no particular demographic, attracting a truly diverse group of fans of all ages. After a slightly delayed start the trio make a wobbly start with a new song that's followed by Shadows. Vincent Vendetta apologises, blaming a faulty new keyboard before acknowledging that it has been three long years since they played live and that they are now learning how to play these songs again. The Juggernauts settle into a groove with Vital Signs and a new track indicated on the set list at the mixing desk as Memorium. It is not long before Vendetta starts to turn into the thin white duke with his deep growly voice embedded in arrangements that reflect the influence of kosmische, Goblin soundtracks and cosmic disco. Although indie dance or synth pop labels could be applied to the Juggernauts they move in different directions to the rest of the pack ensuring that they sound like no one else. At the core of their set This New Technology, their new single Ballad Of The War Machine and Into The Galaxy all seem to merge into one gloriously euphoric jam that delights everyone. As the crowd demands more, The Juggernauts maintain the momentum returning to the stage to encore with the solid beats of the Daft Punk-esque Road To Recovery and So Many Frequencies. It will be interesting to see what the new album brings when we get to hear it in full.