Live Review: Gold Fields, Phebe Starr, Willowbeats

It's always tough opening to a relatively empty room; even tougher when your brand of music doesn't fit the bill. This was learnt the hard way by up-and-coming Melburnian producer Willow Beats. Dark and ominous, a creatively reworked Bowie cover was the highlight of his half-hour, although the set was easily redeemed by Kalyani Ellis' dreamy vocals. There's definitely a place in the world for his unique programming. Unfortunately, it wasn't here.

Draped in a black cape reminiscent of Stevie Nicks circa 1976, Phebe Starr swanned onto the stage next. It was unsurprising that she tackled Nicks' Edge Of Seventeen three songs into her set, although stunning that she pulled it off. With vocal acrobatics akin to Kimbra and a voice that's just as strong, Starr was an absolute delight to watch. With punters already singing back set-closer and debut single, Alone With You, along with a band tighter than a Zach Braff/Donald Faison bromance, Starr is more than set to become one.

Enter Gold Fields. Their reputation as one of the best live bands in Australia precedes them and after a lengthy stint in the US promoting their debut LP, Black Sun, this tour is the first time much of the album will get a run live back home. A black curtain slowly opened to reveal a smoky, tribal tableau. Then, with a light show more incredible than a U2 arena spectacular, the boys launched into '80s throwback, Thunder. Frontman Mark Fuller was charismatic as he led his band through crowd favourite, Treehouse, as well as band favourite (and highlight) Happy Boy, but most of Gold Fields' charm came from the back of the stage. Drummer Ryan D'Sylva and percussionist Rob Clifton worked together seamlessly to create jungle rhythms that informed their unique sound and set them far apart from and above any other live act in the country. After closing with Moves, an assault on the senses in the very best possible way, it's fair to say that any hype you've heard surrounding Gold Fields – you can believe.